Americans did not feel that they could offend their great and good friend, the Tsar, by hurling his walrus-covered icebergs back into his face.
Akwardly humorous, this quote relates directly to the Alaska Purchase (in which the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for the then-hefty sum of $7.2 million). Although many were in favor of the purchase, some were not. Opponents labeled the purchase "Seward's Folly" at the time (after Secretary of State William Seward, the man who spearheaded the effort to purchase Alaska). However, there is no doubt that the Alaska Purchase has worked out in the United States' favor. In 2015 alone, $1.01 billion dollars worth of gold was produced in the state. As well as that, Alaska has produced 17 billion barrels of oil and is home to one of the most productive fishing industries in the world.
I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.
The head of (in)famous Manhattan Project, the once top-secret endeavor responsible for the creation of the first Atomic Bombs, Oppenheimer uttered these words (drawing from the Bhagavad Gita) to underscore the importance and gravity of his teams creation. In truth, though, it is a warning: if used for the wrong purpose and by the wrong people, atomic bombs could bring about the destruction of the entire world -- and the human race -- as we know it.
In the opinion of many historians and laymen, the statement is also a statement of regret. When Oppenheimer uttered this now-famous statement, there is a sense of sadness and regret in his face and in the tone of his voice. He created the bomb because he thought it would help the United States win the war, but after he saw the result of his creation, he was absolutely horrified and petrified.
