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Russian trappers establish a colony on Kodiak Island, Alaska

From 1732 to 1867, the Russian Empire laid claim to northern Pacific Coast territories in the Americas.

From 1732 to 1867, the Russian Empire laid claim to northern Pacific Coast territories in the Americas. Russian colonial possessions in the Americas were collectively known as Russian America from 1799 to 1867. It consisted mostly of present-day Alaska in the United States, but also included the outpost of Fort Ross in California. Russian Creole settlements were concentrated in Alaska, including the capital, New Archangel, which is now Sitka.

Russian expansion eastward began in 1552, and Russian explorers reached the Pacific Ocean in 1639. In 1725, Emperor Peter the Great ordered navigator Vitus Bering to explore the North Pacific for potential colonization.

Historical Significance

From 1732 to 1867, the Russian Empire laid claim to northern Pacific Coast territories in the Americas.

Events Before

  1. Future US Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall (27) weds Mary Willis Ambler (16) at his cousin's home in Han

    Future US Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall (27) weds Mary Willis Ambler (16) at his cousin's home in Hanover County, Virginia, until her death in 1831

  2. USS Alliance, under Captain Barry, fights and wins the final naval battle of the American Revolutionary War off Cape Can

    USS Alliance, under Captain Barry, fights and wins the final naval battle of the American Revolutionary War off Cape Canaveral

  3. In an emotional speech in Newburgh, New York, George Washington asks his officers not to support the Newburgh Conspiracy

    In an emotional speech in Newburgh, New York, George Washington asks his officers not to support the Newburgh Conspiracy, preventing the threatened coup d'état

  4. Hostilities formally cease in the American Revolutionary War after the Continental Congress proclaims the "Cessation of

    Hostilities formally cease in the American Revolutionary War after the Continental Congress proclaims the "Cessation of Arms" against His Britannic Majesty [1]

  5. George Washington issues General Orders announcing the end of hostilities with Britain in the American Revolutionary War

    George Washington issues General Orders announcing the end of hostilities with Britain in the American Revolutionary War, giving thanks to the Almighty, offering congratulations, and authorizing an extra ration of alcohol to the troops to celebrate [1]

Events After

  1. John Walter publishes the first issue of his newspaper "The Daily Universal Register," which is renamed "The Times" of L

    John Walter publishes the first issue of his newspaper "The Daily Universal Register," which is renamed "The Times" of London in 1788

  2. The parents of the poet Lord Byron marry - Captain John Byron and his second wife Catherine Gordon, heiress of the Gight

    The parents of the poet Lord Byron marry - Captain John Byron and his second wife Catherine Gordon, heiress of the Gight estate in Scotland

  3. Benjamin Franklin announces his invention of bifocals

    Benjamin Franklin announces his invention of bifocals

  4. Geologist James Hutton publicly reads an abstract of his theory of uniformitarianism for the first time at a meeting of

    Geologist James Hutton publicly reads an abstract of his theory of uniformitarianism for the first time at a meeting of the Royal Society of Edinburgh

  5. US Congress unanimously resolves to name the US currency the "dollar" and adopts decimal coinage

    US Congress unanimously resolves to name the US currency the "dollar" and adopts decimal coinage

More from the 1780s

John Walter publishes the first issue of his newspaper "The Daily Universal Register," which is renamed "The Times" of L

John Walter publishes the first issue of his newspaper "The Daily Universal Register," which is renamed "The Times" of London in 1788

Emperor Joseph II's order for the Jews of Galicia, Austria, to adopt family names comes into effect

Emperor Joseph II's order for the Jews of Galicia, Austria, to adopt family names comes into effect

Future US Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall (27) weds Mary Willis Ambler (16) at his cousin's home in Han

Future US Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall (27) weds Mary Willis Ambler (16) at his cousin's home in Hanover County, Virginia, until her death in 1831

British naval expedition led by Benedict Arnold burns Richmond, Virginia

The military career of Benedict Arnold in 1781 consisted of service in the British Army.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on September 22, 1784?
From 1732 to 1867, the Russian Empire laid claim to northern Pacific Coast territories in the Americas. Russian colonial possessions in the Americas were collectively known as Russian America from 1799 to 1867. It consisted mostly of present-day Alaska in the United States, but also included the outpost of Fort Ross in California.
Why is Russian trappers establish a colony on Kodiak Island, Alaska significant?
From 1732 to 1867, the Russian Empire laid claim to northern Pacific Coast territories in the Americas.

Explore More

September 22 in HistoryYear 1784