On October 18, 1867, the U.S. formally took possession of Alaska
after purchasing the territory from Russia for $7.2 million, or less
than two cents an acre.

Indigenous peoples had settled the unforgiving territory thousands
of years earlier. The Alaska purchase comprised 586,412 square
miles, about twice the size of Texas, and was championed by
William Henry Seward, the enthusiastically expansionist secretary
of state under President Andrew Johnson.

The $7.2 million check used to pay for Alaska, equivalent
to $129 million in 2023. 

William Henry Seward (1801 – 1872)

 
ROSS SIMPSON

    
    
 John Warnock Hinckley Jr. will be 69 in May.

(FOX NEWS) – Amazon is jumping into car sales and will
partner with Hyundai to begin selling the automaker’s
vehicles online in 2024.

The e-commerce giant said that Hyundai would be the
first brand available for purchase but did not say when
it would include additional vehicle manufacturers.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said in a statement that it will
change the "ease with which customers can buy vehicles
online."

Beginning next year, customers will be able to search on
Amazon for available vehicle purchases in their area,
including model, trim and color, before checking out
online with their chosen form of payment and financing
options, according to Amazon.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy.

On October 18, 1867, the U.S. formally took possession of
Alaska after purchasing the territory from Russia for $7.2
million, or less than two cents an acre. Indigenous peoples
settled the unforgiving territory thousands of years earlier.

The Alaska purchase comprised 586,412 square miles, about
twice the size of Texas, and was championed by William
Henry Seward, the enthusiastically expansionist secretary
of state under President Andrew Johnson.

Russia wanted to sell its Alaska territory, which was remote
and difficult to defend, to the U.S. rather than risk losing it
in battle with a rival such as Great Britain.

Treasury warrant in the amount of $7.2 million for the
purchase of Alaska. (Department of the Treasury;
National Archives)

                 (May 16, 1801 – October 10, 1872)