WILLIAM SEWARD WAS AN interesting man. He was one of the earliest prominent Republicans — he was expected to run as their candidate in the 1860 Presidential elections, but he was beaten in the primary by Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln appointed him as the Secretary of State, which he remained throughout the Civil War. When John Wilkes Booth killed Lincoln, one of his co-conspirators stabbed Seward in the face and neck times, nearly killing him along with the President.
Photo by Michael Matti
The US Bought Alaska 150 Years Ago Today. Best Purchase Ever.
Seward survived, and under President Johnson, negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia. The move was called “Seward’s Folly” by his critics, but on March 30, 1867, William Seward signed the agreement, and six months later, the territory was ours.
Anyone who has been to Alaska knows that the move was anything but folly — the state is spectacular. Alaska’s landscapes are so lush and immense that one can’t help but feel small in their midst. The wildlife in unparalleled. The Parks are among the most beautiful in the country. We dove into our archives and into our travelstoke app for proof that Alaska was the best purchase ever. We think you’ll agree. 