Kodiak Island, Alaska becomes the first Russian colony in Alaska.

We all know that Alaska is one of the coldest states, and maybe also that it is the largest. What you may not know is that at one point Alaska was controlled by Russia. Although Sarah Palin will not easily see Russia from her house, Alaska is close to the tip of Russia.

On this day August 14th, in 1784, Kodiak Island becomes the first Russian colony in Alaska. The island is the 80th largest in the world, and 2nd largest in America. It is 3,600 sq. miles, with the the northern half is heavily forested, while the south is practically barren.

Kodiak Island is an Island off the coast of Alaska. It is separated by the Shelifok Strait. Gregory Shelikhov was the founder of Russia’s first colony in Alaska. He was a merchant and arrived at Kodiak Island with two ships. After being harassed by the natives, Shelikhov decided to take things into his own hands killing hundreds of natives and imprisoning many more to attain the obedience of the natives and to keep himself and his people safe. He was successful in doing so; thus, Kodiak Island was born.