Back in 1980 I was managing KTOO radio in Juneau.  Alaska Day was a State Holiday.  Raven was not yet on the air.  The Alaska Public Radio Network decided to do a statewide man on the street asking people, “What is Alaska Day.”  Few people knew.  If Raven Radio had been on the air everyone would know.  It’s our big celebration commemorating the day in 1867 when the Russian flag came down and the Stars and Stripes went up on Castle Hill (Noow Tlein). 

The United States bought Alaska from Russia, but did Russia own it?  I believe the United States bought Alaska when President Nixon signed the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act on December 18, 1971, 12 years after we became a state. 

Sitkans celebrate Alaska Day in a big way.  There are dances and balls, pie sales, and bagpipes. 

Bagpipes are probably my favorite feature of the day.  The pipers are from the Seattle Fire Department, with help from Tacoma and other cities.  One year I was in Raven Radio studio when the windows started vibrating.  The pipers were marching into the station.  I opened the mic and let her rip.  The pipers are everywhere, at the firehall, the Historical Society annual meeting, in schools, bars, old folks’ homes and, of course at the parade, the centerpiece of the celebration.

The Parade starts with Change Bell Ringing at the Cathedral.  The video is not much but listen to the sound.  If you are viewing this in an email program you will have to go to your browser.