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Alexei Chirikof, with Bering expedition, sights land on July 15; the european had found Alaska.
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First scientific report on the North Pacific fur seal.
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Russian explorers land on the mainland on the Alaska Peninsula.
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Captain James Cook expedition to search for Northwest Passage.
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The first Russian Orthodox Churdh established in Kodiak.
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Russian Czar Paul 1 signs decree chartering the Russian-American Company as a monopoly to handle Russia's trade in its American colony and to administer Russian activities in Alaska. Alexander Baranov establishes Russian fort and administrative headquarters in Sitka, which became capital of the Alaska colony. Baranov serves until 1818,the longest serving Russian-American Company manager.
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Tlingit Indians massacre 20 Russian and up to 130 Aleut workes at Old Sitka.
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No foreigners allowed in Russian-American waters, exept at regular ports of call.
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Fort yukon established
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Coal mining begins at Coal Harbor on the Kenai Peninsula.
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Financial struggles force russia to sell Ruaaian-America to the United States. Negotiated by U.S. Secretary of State William Seward, the treaty buys what is now Alaska for $7.2 million, or about 2 cents an acre. Alaska's value was not appreciated by the american masses at the time, calling it "seward's folly." ; Pribilof Islands placed under Jurisdiction fo Secretary of Treasury. Fur seal population, stabalized under Russian rule, declines rapidly.
