Oct. 18 is Alaska Day

Have you ever wondered how our great state got its name? Alaska comes from the Aleut word “aláxsxaq,” meant to reference an object at which the sea is directed. In this case, it refers to the peninsula and mainland.

The name Alaska was used by the Russians to refer only to what is now the Kenai Peninsula. The United States government used the name Alaska to refer to the entire territory at first, then the state after purchasing it from Russia on Oct. 18, 1867, now Alaska Day.

Here’s to you, beautiful Alaska. You keep getting better with age.

– Shannon Sadler, The Alaska 100