Seward's Day is a holiday observed in the
United States of America state of
Alaska. The holiday recognizes the signing of the treaty between the United States and
Russia which sealed the U.S.'s purchase of Alaska from Russia. The day is named after the major proponent of the purchase of Alaska,
William Henry Seward, the
Secretary of State for President
Andrew Johnson (and President
Abraham Lincoln before). The signing of the treaty happened originally on March 30, 1867, though it is observed on the last
Monday of every
March. This is done so that the holiday never falls on a weekend, helping to keep a steady number of work days each year.
Most Alaska state offices are closed on Seward's Day.