Many Russians know the line from the famous song by the band "Nautilus Pompilius": "Goodbye America." However, few are aware that in Russia's history, there was a man who managed to say "Hello" to the American continent and secure part of it for our country.

Alexander Andreevich Baranov was born on February 14, 1747, in the family of a petty burgher from Kargopol. From a young age, he did not want to spend his life in a shop to later pass it on to an heir. At just 15, Alexander ran away from home and went to Moscow in search of a better life. There, he got a job as an accountant in a trading company, but this did not align with his dreams. In 1780, he, along with his brother, young wife, and newborn daughter, set off for Siberia. In Irkutsk, the Baranov brothers' business prospered so much that within a year they acquired two small factories. However, Alexander's wife, tired of life in Siberia, returned home with their daughter, but Baranov continued to support his family.

By the end of the 1780s, Baranov's fortunes declined. His factories were nearly bankrupt, and he began to seek new opportunities to improve his financial situation. In 1790, Baranov accepted an offer from Grigory Shelikhov to take a high position in his company, which was engaged in fur trading in the Far East. After signing all the necessary documents, Baranov set off for the trading post on Kodiak Island off the coast of Alaska. However, his ship was wrecked near Unalaska Island, six hundred miles from its destination. The local Aleuts rescued Baranov and his crew, helping them survive the harsh winter. When the ice melted, the Aleuts transported them to Kodiak in their boats.

Baranov actively developed the lands entrusted to him. In 1793, he founded the port of Voskresensk, where the first ship was launched the following year with the help of British sailors. An Orthodox mission was established in Alaska. Baranov collaborated with the local inhabitants and took an Aleut mistress, with whom he had three children: Antipatr, Irina, and Ekaterina.

Meanwhile, in St. Petersburg, Shelikhov passed away. His son-in-law, Nikolai Rezanov, who headed the Russian-American Company, appointed Baranov as the chief manager of Russian America in 1799. Baranov learned of his appointment and new instructions only a year later due to the long journey from St. Petersburg to Alaska.

During this time, Baranov advanced Russian presence on the American continent further east, where he encountered English pioneers. To show the English that the northern territories were already occupied, Baranov purchased land on Sitka Island from the Tlingit tribe and built Fort Novoarkhangelsk there. The settlement quickly grew, and in 1799, Baranov petitioned to move part of the company's administrative apparatus from Irkutsk. Emperor Paul I awarded Baranov a gold medal for such development.

However, the Tlingits, with whom an agreement had seemingly been reached, attacked Novoarkhangelsk in Baranov's absence, killing almost all the Russians. It turned out that they did not perceive the deal as a sale but merely as receiving gifts.

Baranov began preparing for a counterattack, gathering seven hundred Aleuts and crews of Russian ships. At this time, the sloop "Neva" arrived, bringing news of Baranov's promotion to Collegiate Councillor. In September 1804, Baranov attempted to resolve the conflict peacefully, but the leaders refused, hoping for support from the English. In a fierce battle, the Russians and Aleuts defeated the Tlingits.

In 1805, Nikolai Rezanov visited Alaska to investigate rumors of Baranov's incompetence. He found the rumors to be false and refused to relieve Baranov of his position, despite his requests.

In 1807, Baranov learned of his wife's death and married his Aleut mistress. Even at the wedding, he wore chainmail, fearing Tlingit attacks.

By 1810, Baranov was tired of work and awaited a successor. The new chief died on the way, and Baranov continued to lead. In 1812, Fort Ross was established in California to supply Alaska.

In 1815, Baranov attempted to create a way station in Hawaii but failed. After that, St. Petersburg decided to retire Baranov. In 1818, Captain Leontiy Gagemeister arrived for an audit. All of Baranov's reports were in order, and in October, he was sent to St. Petersburg. However, Baranov did not live to return to Russia, passing away on the island of Java in 1819.

Sitka Island was renamed in Baranov's honor in 1805 and retained that name after the sale of Alaska to the USA. In 1989, a monument to Baranov was erected in Sitka, but in 2020, it was moved to a museum, as it was believed he harmed the indigenous peoples of Alaska.