History & Culture
Although Alaska's statehood is relatively brief, the state's history is long and colorful. According to archaeologists, the first people arrived in Alaska more than 20,000 years ago, crossing the Bering Land Bridge from what is now Siberia. For hundreds of years, nomadic tribes crossed the land bridge and entered Alaska. Man continued south to North and South America. The first people to settle in Alaska arrived 10,000 years ago and are the ancestors of today's Alaska Natives.
Today, Native Alaskans compromise almost 16 percent of the state's population. Changes in communications, transportation and other services to remote villages have dramatically changed Native life. Nevertheless, much of Native Culture is still practiced, such as whaling, subsistence hunting and fishing, and traditional Native art forms.
The first Europeans arrived in Alaska in 1741 as part of a Russian expedition led by the Danish navigator Vitus Bering. The Russians established the first permanent Alaska settlement in 1784 on Kodiak Island. In 1867, U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward bought Alaska from Russia for $7,200,000, or two cents per acre.
Alaska's more recent history has been defined by a series of fur, whaling, timber, gold, fishing, and oil boom-and-bust cycles A series of fur, timber, gold, fishing and oil booms and busts have marked Alaska's history and culture. Each boom brought a different set of people to Alaska.
Alaska became the 49th state on January 3, 1959, creating the largest state in the union. Today, Alaska is treasured for its breathtaking beauty and vast supply of natural resources.
Alaska Timeline
Provides a chronological timeline of important events and dates in Alaska's history
Useful Links
Selected links to additional information on Alaska's history and culture
