Alaska State Motto

The Alaska state motto signals optimism towards the future, a land of promise. The Alaska motto was adopted in 1963 as a result of a contest that was to come up the best centennial motto describing the character of Alaska.

“North to the Future” (Official)

The Alaska Centennial Commission chose Journalist Richard
Peterâ€™s suggestion â€œNorth to the Futureâ€. Richard Peters
stated that the Alaska motto:

“… is a reminder that beyond the horizon of
urban clutter there is a Great Land beneath our flag that
can provide a new tomorrow for this century’s ‘huddled
masses yearning to be free.”

In this way the motto represents Alaska a clean and pristine
place free of modern pressures.

Alaska State Nicknames

Whereas there is only one motto, there exist a number of
state nicknames for Alaska:

“The Last Frontier”
The thought behind this Alaska state nickname is the perceived
long distance to the other lower U.S. states. Moreover the rough
and uneven landscape also add to the idea of a symbolic â€œThe
Last Frontierâ€. In fact only 1/3 of the state is divided into
boroughs.

The Last Frontier - Alaska mountains

“Land of the Midnight Sun”
In some of Alaska northern parts the sun actually never
goes down during the summer. During this season the landscape is
bathed in a special sunlight at midnight. In Barrow the sun
doesnâ€™t go below the horizon for a period of 84 whole days.

Alaska - Land of the Midnight Sun

“Seward’s Folly”

Once owned by Russia, Alaska was bought in 1867, a purchase
led by Secretary of State William H. Seward. Many of the other
states thought that the price of Alaska was too high. However,
Seward was stubborn and fought long and hard to get Congress to
approve of the money for purchase.

Some of Seward’s critics referred to his fight as “Sewardâ€™s
Folly”.

“Seward’s Ice Box”
This is another one in the group of Alaska state
nicknames. This one was also intended for Seward by his critics.

Other Alaska state nicknames with similar references to Alaska’s
merciless coldness are “Icebergia”,
“Polaria”, and “Walrussia”. The
president of the period, Andrew Johnson, wasnâ€™t spared by the
critics during the purchase either: “Johnson’s Polar
Bear Garden” was another nickname.

Alaska State Slogans

Whereas the motto intends to describe the ‘soul’ of Alaska
with future optimism at the center for the Alabama inhabitants,
Alabama state slogans focus especially on attracting tourists,
sometimes with a funny streak:

“Beyond Your Dreams, Within Your Reach”
This Alaska state slogan is used by the Official State
of Alaska Travel & Vacation Information:
TravelAlaska.com

“Alaska: 11,623 Eskimos Can’t be Wrong!”

“Alaska: Come Freeze Your Butt Off”

“Alaska: Jeez, it’s Cold”

“Alaska: Yeah, But It’s a Dry Cold”
~ Andy Hynds ~

“Alaska: Masturbation Capital of the World”

“I Froze My Nuts off in Alaska”
These Alaska funny state slogans are sold on souvenirs such as
badges and stickers.

Map of Alaska