'Alaska Day' is a legal holiday in the
U.S. state of
Alaska, observed on
October 18. It is the anniversary of the formal transfer of Alaska from
Russia to the
United States following the
Alaska Purchase, which took place at a
flag-raising ceremony at
Fort Sitka on
October 18,
1867.
Alaska Day is legally observed statewide, and is a paid holiday for State of Alaska employees. It is generally only celebrated in
Sitka, where schools release students early, many businesses close for the day, and events such as a
parade and reenactment of the flag raising are held.
It should not be confused with
Seward's Day, which marks the signing of the treaty finalizing the purchase.
See also
★
Seward's Day