In 1867, the United States purchases Alaska from Russia for $7,200,000, or about 2 cents per acre.
Alaska Purchase, the acquisition of 586,412 square miles of territory near the northern extremity of the North American continent by the United States from Russia, forming the modern U.S. state of Alaska. On March 30, 1867, the treaty was presented to the Senate for approval. Sen. Charles Sumner, an early opponent, testified in its favour for more than three hours, influenced in part by knowledge about the territory's enormous natural resources acquired during Smithsonian Institution-sponsored trips in 1859 and 1865. It was passed on April 9. On October 18, the United States officially gained possession with a flag-changing ceremony in Sitka.
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