Alaska

Alaska. America's largest state geographically, and smallest by terms of population. It is split from the rest of the continental United States, bordering with Canada. However, if you take Alaska, and drop it on the US from one end to the other, taking the Aleutian islands as well, the state pretty much stretches from the east, to the west coast. With the bulk of the state being far larger than Texas, the largest state in the main part of the US.

The state itself has been home to many tribes of native Americans for thousands of years, but the first Europeans where the Russians who arrived in the 17th century. However, Alaska did not really interest the Russians until Bering (of Bering straights fame) as he was exploring, found and came back with fur pelts that where deemed to be the best in the world.

Following this, further settlement occurred with Russian traders heading over to collect fur pelts. It also brought the Spanish over, who launched their own settlements to claim Alaska for Spain. However, neither Russia or Spain really pushed to claim total territory.

The Russian America colony was never very profitable.

Russian America used the Russian tricolour. At the time, the Russian flag used 3 horizontal stripes of white, blue, and red. However, with Russian America, to accent the arctic nature of Alaska, the white stripe was expanded to half the width of the flag. 

Also, on the hoist side they placed the Russian two-headed eagle. In its talons it grasps a banner with the name of the territory in Russian.

However, the first explorers who claimed Alaska for Russia used the jack. A red field featuring a thin white cross. Overlaid with a blue saltire edged in white.

In 1867, the Alaska Purchase was negotiated by the US Secretary of State, William H. Seward with Russia and The United States took control of Alaska from the Russians. This soon became known as Sewards Folly. The Americans picked up Alaska for the basement price of $7,200,000. Or $113,000,000 in today's money.

Initially the territory was controlled by the US Military from the old capital of Sitka. By 1884, Alaska became a district. This gave Alaska some autonomy, with its own governor. But the governor was directly appointed by the President.

It was the Klondike gold rush, and smaller but numerous strikes in Alaska that led to massive increases in population. And finally, in 1912, Alaska was formally organised as a territory. Juneau had in 1906 taken over as state capital after legislation in 1900, but in 1912, the seats of government where finally constructed!

Alaska became hugely important during the second world war, with oil and other natural resources making it vital to the war effort. Also, being located so close to Russia, it provided ease of access to America's ally. Raw material flowed south on the new Alaskan highway, with material for the Russian war machine flowing north. Then a short hop over the Baring straights to Russia, and on to the European front.

It was also home to the only part of the United States to be occupied during the war, with the Japanese taking control of some of the Aleutian islands. 

After the war, the idea of statehood gained traction, and a referendum in 1946 expressing a desire for statehood led to the formation of the Alaska Statehood Committee, and the Alaska Constitutional Convention where soon set up. 

However, becoming a state was not easy, with fights inside Alaska, as well as in Congress. However, in July 1958 Alaska was awarded statehood, and was formally admitted into the Union as America's 49th state on January 3rd, 1959.

The first seal was granted way back when Alaska was a territory. It featured igloos, ice fishing, glaciers, and the northern lights.

This first seal was replaced in 1910 with a newer, more intricate design. This new design features elements that represent the states natural and industrial wealth. This new seal includes the mountains of Alaska topped with rays representing the northern lights. A smelter represents mining, the train denotes the states railroads, and the ship represents the states early days, when shipping was the primary method of moving trade. The trees represent the states wealth of timber, with the farming representing agriculture. The images of fish and seals signify the importance of fishing and seal rookeries to the state.

Post transfer to American control, Alaska did not have its own flag. It used the American flag, with 37 stars on the blue square in the upper hoist.

However, Alaska wanted its own flag, and a competition was launched across Alaska amongst schoolchildren. The winning design came from Benny Benson, a 13 year old boy who lived in an orphanage. Most designs featured elements included on the seal. Benny's design was inspired by a constellation of stars he looked to every night before going to bed.

The flag  is a blue field, with gold stars. The blue represents the night sky as well as being the colour of the Forget-me-not, a common flower in Alaska. The constellation he used was the Big Dipper, with the North Star. The Big Dipper represents the bear, the state animal. Also, the North Star represents the future of the state as well as representing the state itself, as the most northerly in the Union.

The flag itself was formally adopted on May 2nd, 1927. With Statehood, it was decided to keep the flag. 

Alaska is unique among the states in that the official state song talks about the meaning behind the flag. Marie Drake, an employee of the State's education department, composed a poem in 1935. This slowly grew in popularity, and Elinor Duseberry set it to music in 1938. It was adopted in 1955, and became the official state flag in 1959 with statehood.