Happy Alaska Day!

Today is Alaska Day!! This holiday celebrates the formal transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States. The transfer took place at a flag-raising ceremony in Sitka on October 18, 1867. It's also a state court holiday. But beware:

It should not be confused with Seward's Day, which marks the signing of the treaty finalizing the purchase.

Heaven forbid!

UPDATE: Here's an interesting article about Alaska Day from the Anchorage Daily News. There is an interesting mystery regarding the authenticity of the "original" flag used in Sitka to commemorate Alaska Day.