October 18 in history — On This Day

1867

Alaska Changes Hands at Sitka

On October 18, 1867, Alaska was formally transferred from Russian to American control at Sitka.

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Chicago After the Fire: From Burned Blocks to a New Skyline

A photograph taken after the 1871 fire can make Chicago look as though its future had been decided by a wall of flame. A view from around 1905 tells a different story: tall offices, busy transport routes and commercial streets crowded again.

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