Page "William H. Seward" Paragraph 44

Seward's most famous achievement as Secretary of State was his successful acquisition of Alaska from Russia.

On March 30, 1867, he completed negotiations for the territory, which involved the purchase of of territory ( more than twice the area of Texas ) for $ 7, 200, 000, or approximately two cents per acre ( equivalent to $ in today's dollars ).

The purchase was variously mocked by the public as Seward's Folly, " Seward's Icebox ," and Andrew Johnson's " polar bear garden.

" Alaska celebrates the purchase on Seward's Day, the last Monday of March.

When asked what he considered to be his greatest achievement as Secretary of State, Seward replied " The purchase of Alaska — but it will take the people a generation to find it out ".