Beringia

40,000-10,000 years ago

Pleistocene glacial era brought continental glacial build-up that caused sea levels to drop dramatically in the shallow sea between Asia and North America, leaving a broad 1,000-mile wide swath of steppe connecting the continental land masses, providing a land route for the first peoples and land mammals to cross from Asia to America

~26,000 years ago

Animal and human migrations traveled across the Bering land bridge from Asia to America. At its peak, the land bridge is believed to have covered a broad area from north of today’s arctic coastline to south of the Alaska Peninsula and the eastern end of the Aleutian Island archipelago.

~14,000 years ago

Ice age gradually came to an end with warming temperatures, rising sea levels, shrinking land bridge

10,000 years ago

Native peoples had settled in the coastal areas of Russia and Alaska by at least 10,000 years ago, with peoples migrating farther inland and settling in many areas, moving inland, eastward and to the south. Fossils from species now extinct have been found dating back to this era.

17^th Century

1648

Russian explorer Semyon Dezhnev rounds the Chukotka Peninsula, discovering that a narrow waterway separates the Eurasia continent from the American continent. Word of Dezhnev’s discovery does not make it back to Moscow, and so it only becomes widely known after Bering's later voyage. A point in Chukotka is named Cape Dezhnev.

18^th Century

1725

Czar Peter the Great sends explorer Vitus Bering to explore beyond the far eastern reaches of Russia and to claim new territory for the Russian Empire.

1728

Bering sails east from Kamchatka through the strait, which now bears his name, concluding that the continents are separate by water. Bering comes across islands and names them, but he does not reach the Alaska coast or mainland on this voyage. Bering encounters Native peoples.

1741

Bering, with fellow explorer Aleksei Chirikov, reaches landfall in Alaska, going ashore on Kayak Island near Prince William Sound. Bering's expedition returns to Russia with sea otter pelts. Bering is shipwrecked and dies on what is now known as Bering Island, one of the Komandorsky Islands off the Kamchatka Peninsula.

1742

Russian explorers and traders return and begin mass hunting of sea otters for pelts, the beginning of a Russian fur trading industry based in Alaska that became the mainstay of the Alaska colonial economy for much of the rest of the century.

1759

Russian explorer and commander Stephan Glotov lands on Unimak Island and hears the Aleut natives refer to the land as Alyaska or Alyeska, which became the basis for the name Alaska.

1761

Russian explorers land on the mainland on the Alaska Peninsula.

1762

Glotov lands at Unalaska in the Aleutian Island chain, and in 1763 on Kodiak Island.

1764

Fighting between Russians and Aleuts.

1772

Russian settlement established at Unalaska. Russians produce map of Alaska.

1778

During his exploration of the southern Alaska coast, British explorer Capt. James Cook reports finding a Russian settlement at Unalaska. Spanish explorers reaching Alaska later also find Russian settlements.

1781

Russian fur trading company established by Siberian merchant and shipbuilder Grigori Shelikov.

1784

Russian settlement established on Kodiak Island. More fighting between Russians and Aleuts.

1785

Gerasim Pribilof discovers fur seal rookeries on Bering Sea islands now named for him. Aleuts brought to the islands to hunt fur seals for the Russian trade.

1791

Shelikov hires Alexander Baranov to manage his Alaska trading operations.

1795

Russian Orthodox Church established on Kodiak Island.

1799

Russian Czar Paul I signs decree chartering the Russian-American company as a monopoly to handle Russia's trade in its American colony and to administer Russian activities in Alaska. Alexander Baranov establishes Russian fort and administrative headquarters in Sitka, which became capital of the Alaska colony. Baranov serves until 1818, the longest serving Russian-Alaska manager.

19^th Century

1799-1820

Baranov develops Russian-American Company posts, expands trade and exploration. Russians explore the coast north to the Chukchi Sea and south to Califoirnia.

1802-1805

Fighting between Russians and Tlingit Indians in Sitka and elsewhere in southeast Alaska.

1808

Russian administrative center moves from Kodiak to New Archangel (Sitka), which serves as the capital of Russia’s American colony. Russian Orthodox Church built in Sitrka..

1821

Russian-America Company asserts exclusive control in Alaska trade and waters.

1824

Russians begin exploring mainland Alaska, over the next 20 years reaching as far north as the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers. Russia establishes southern boundary with the United States and one year later the eastern boundary of Alaska with England, which controlled British Columbia.

1840

Russian Orthodox Diocese established for Alaska. Russian liturgy given in Alaska native languages. Russians begin establishing missionary schools and churches throughout the Alaska territory on a continuous basis. Native peoples adopt Russian Orthodoxy. Skirmishes continue.

1841

Russian Attaché Edward de Stoeckel assigned to Russian delegation to the United States.

1853

Russian explorers and trappers find oil seeps in Cook Inlet.

1859

De Stoeckel gets authority to start negotiating the sale of Alaska to the United States.

1867

U.S. buys Alaska from Russia

1867

U.S. Secretary of State William Seward negotiates the purchase of Alaska for $7.2 million, 2 cents/acre. Treaty signed March 30. Transfer occurs at the Russian Alaska capital, New Archangel / Sitka on Oct. 18.

1868-1918

Russian Orthodox Church continues expanding in Alaska until the Russian revolution cuts of all support from the church in Russia.

20^th Century

1906

The Alaska capital established by Russia in Sitka is moved to Juneau

1912

Alaska officially becomes U.S. Territory

1917-1918

Russian revolution. Czar overthrown. Soviets take power. New regime cuts off support for Russian Orthodox churches and schools in Alaska. Bering Strait trade declines.

1942-1945

Alaska-Siberia "Lend Lease" program. The United States delivers thousands of warplanes to the Soviet Union via Alaska and Siberia and on to the European Russia to join the Allied war effort on the eastern front in World War II.

1959

Alaska becomes state.

Cold War

U.S.-Soviet maritime border, known as the Ice Curtain in Alaska, closes between Alaska and Russia after World War II, effectively halting native festivals, trade and travel for 40 years, 1948-1988.

1953

Alaska Eskimos from Little Diomede Island in the Bering Strait travel to Chukotka for a traditional walrus festival and are detained by Soviet authorities. Last such border crossing until the thaw of the 1980s.

1986

Alaska Performing Artists for Peace visit Soviet Union and start the process of melting the Ice Curtain. Alaskans Dixie Belcher of Juneau, Jim Stimpfle of Nome, and many others across Alaska work to open the border.

1987

Endurance swimmer Lynne Cox, in August, swims across the Bering Strait from Little Diomede Island, Alaska, to Big Diomede Island, Russia, about 2.5 miles in a feat just as remarkable for its athletic and physical accomplishment as for its political breakthrough.

1988

Alaska Airlines "Friendship Flight" on June 13 marks the first formal official opening of the border for in four decades. Alaska Gov. Steve Cowper heads Alaska delegation on a flight from Nome across the Bering Strait to Provideniya on the Chukotka Peninsula for a one-day reunion and celebration. Alaska state, federal and local government officials, journalists, Alaska Natives and activists seeking to melt the Ice Curtain took part. Alaska Siberian Yupik Eskimos were reunited with Chukotka Siberian Yupik Eskimo relatives and old friends who had been separated for four decades.

1988

Gray whales trapped in the arctic ice off Barrow in October prompt international rescue effort, culminating in Soviet icebreaker cutting through the ice to help free the whales.

1988

Alaska Gov. Steve Cowper leads first trade and friendship mission to Soviet Far East in October.

1989-1991

Relations between Alaska and Soviet Far East intensify with regular and frequent activities in a concerted meltdown of the Ice Curtain border during Soviet President Gorbachev’s perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (opening). Gorbachev spokesman Gennady Gerasimov visited Alaska during this period and helped open the border and foster Alaska-Russian Far East exchanges and activities.

1989

American-Soviet "Bering Bridge" ski expedition across the Bering Strait.

1989

University of Alaska Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies exchange program with Siberian and Far Eastern doctors and scientists.

1989

Bering Air receives permission to fly charters between Nome and Provideniya.

1989

Alascom establishes communications link between Alaska and Provideniya.

1989

Gov. Cowper holds International Date signing ceremony at Little Diomede Island in the Bering Strait with Chukotka and Magadan officials in the spring. In the fall, he leads a delegation to the Russian Far East in a trip that included a stop on Russia's Big Diomede Island border post in the Bering Strait.

1989

Fairbanks North Star Borough - Yakutsk exchange.

1990

Alaska State Chamber of Commerce trade mission to Russian Far East.

1990

Juneau - Vladivostok sister city agreement.

1990

Gov. Cowper sponsors Northern Regions Conference, which leads to creation of Northern Forum in 1991 by Gov. Hickel.

1990

U.S.-Soviet Beringia Park agreement and scientific study.

1990

Museum exhibit: Russian America, The Forgotten Frontier.

1991

Regular air service between Anchorage and the Russian Far East is initiated. Aeroflot begins service between the West Coast and the Russian Far East via Anchorage and on a polar route to Moscow. Alaska Airlines begins service to Khabarovsk and Magadan. Federal Aviation Administration Alaska Region develops contacts with Soviet counterparts and conducts exchanges and training.

1991

Numerous Alaska events marking the 250^th anniversary of Commander Vitus Bering leading Russian explorers onto Alaska land in 1741.

1991

December 25, Soviet Union abolished, President Gorbachev resigns.

Post – Soviet Period

1992

Alaska-RFE trade, travel and tourism increases.

1993

Russian Ambassador to the United States Vladimir Lukin visits Alaska along with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Aleksei

1993

Alaska Miners Association leads delegation to Magadan mining region.

1993

University of Alaska starts American Russian Center programs in Anchorage and in the Russian Far East.

1994

Alaska trade missions to the Russian, including Sakhalin, Khabarovsk, Yakutsk and Moscow.

1995

Alaska Airlines expands service to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

1995

Devastating Sakhalin earthquake, kills thousands, destroys town, homes in ruins. Gov. Knowles leads urgent mission to Sakhalin to deliver emergency relief supplies.

1995

Sakhalin Gov. Farkhutdinov visits Alaska.

1996

Alaska Sakhalin Working Group formed.

1996

Alaska-RFE trade peaks at post-Soviet high of $108.3 million in Alaska exports.

1996

Anchorage hosts Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission, U.S. West Coast-RFE Ad Hoc Working Group meeting.

1997

Gov. Knowles leads large trade delegation to Sakhalin. Alaska contracts with American Business Center on Sakhalin for state trade representation. Alaska-RFE flights expand to Sakhalin. USAID awards grant to State of Alaska to provide technical assistance to Sakhalin.

1998

Alaska-RFE flights at peak: Alaska, Reeve, Aeroflot and Mavial fly total of six roundtrip weekly flights to five RFE cities. Alaska Airlines ends RFE service in October; Reeve and Aeroflot increase service.

1998

Year of VIP visits, speeches, delegations, meetings:

• Lt. Gov. Fran Ulmer outlines Alaska-RFE connections and cooperation to Vice President Gore and Prime Minister Chernomyrdin at Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission meeting in San Jose, California.
• U.S. Ambassador to Russia James Collins visits Alaska.
• Sakhalin Gov. Farkhutdinov leads trade mission to Alaska, visits Prudhoe Bay, meets Alaska government and industry leaders, signs cooperation agreements with Gov. Knowles.
• Russian Consul General Andrei Veklenko visits Alaska.
• Government, Duma and business delegations visit Alaska from the Russian Far East and Siberia and from Central Asia republics of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.
• Alaskans pay return visits to Russian Far East.

1998

Sakhalin Alaska College technical training school graduates first class of skilled workers, who are employed as part of the team producing Sakhalin’s first offshore oil.

1998

Alaska humanitarian aid mission to flood-ravaged Sakha Republic (Yakutia).

1999

Two-day Russian Roundtable & Symposium: Doing Business in the Russian Far East, at annual Pacific Rim Construction Oil & Mining Expo, Anchorage.

Winters

1998-2000

Alaska grassroots efforts provides humanitarian aid to Chukotka, Kamchatka, Magadan and other RFE regions. Gov. Knowles convinces USDA to include RFE in the U.S.-Russian food program and to buy thousands of tons of Alaska salmon to give away to needy RFE families.

1999

Lt. Gov. Fran Ulmer speaks at U.S. reception for Russian Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin in Seattle.

1999

Alaska represented at Sakhalin "First Oil" celebration in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in July.

1999

International Conferences, Washington, D.C. and Moscow, "Sakhalin Infrastructure in the 21^st Century," showcase Alaska-Sakhalin-USAID technical assistance projects. Keynote speaker: Lt. Gov. Fran Ulmer.

1999

Alaska-Russian trade hits post-Soviet low point as result of ruble/economic crisis.

2000 – New Millenium

2000

Roman Abramovich leads delegations to Alaska in May and September. The Russian businessman, Kremlin insider, and Duma representative from Chukotka runs for governor and wins, promising new era in Alaska-Chukotka relations.

2000

Sakhalin delegations visit Alaska for Oil & Ice Symposium, financial infrastructure development and business meetings.

2000

U.S. Secretary of State Strobe Talbott makes weeklong trip to Alaska, focusing on Alaska-RFE relations.

2000

Alaska organizes RFE humanitarian aid workshop, conducted by State Dept. for Alaska aid groups.

2000

December, Reeve Aleutian Airways suspends busy, successful Alaska-RFE air service, citing domestic financial problems that force it out of business.

2001

2001

Alaska delegation attends January inauguration of Roman Abramovich as Chukotka governor. Three chartered Bering Air flights to Anadyr bring delegation led by Commissioner of Community & Economic Development Deborah Sedwick.

2001

Rebuilding Alaska-RFE aviation links becomes major task in wake of Reeve bankruptcy and RFE service cutbacks. Mavial expands Anchorage-Magadan route to include Kamchatka. Bering Air increases flights to Anadyr, Chukotka. Other airlines explore RFE options.

2001

RFE Business Symposium: Development Opportunities in Sakhalin and Magadan, held as part of annual Pacific Rim Construction Oil & Mining Expo in Anchorage.

2001

Chukotka sends students, teachers to Anchorage for educational program.

2001

Sakhalin Gov. Farkhutdinov makes third official visit to Alaska, meets with Gov. Knowles, address oil industry business representatives.