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The Lewis and Clark Expedition, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, began on May 14, 1804 and ended on September 23, 1806. It took place on the order of President Thomas Jefferson for the purpose of exploring and charting unknown western territory following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
The Journey Begins
Lewis and Clark set out with their expedition group, called the "Corps of Discovery," on May 14, 1804. The group left from their base, Camp River Dubois, which was located in Illinois, just north of St. Louis, Missouri.
First Milestone
By October 1804, the expedition reached the area that was home to the Mandan Indian tribe, near present-day Stanton, North Dakota.
Westward
They reached the Pacific Coast by late 1805. In December 1805, the group settled for the winter in the area that is now Astoria, Oregon.
The Journey Back
On March 23, 1806, the Corps of Discovery returned back. The group reached St. Louis on September 23, 1806, ending their expedition.
Miles Traveled
The Lewis and Clark Expedition covered more than 8,000 miles and made its way through an area that included 11 future U.S. states. The journey took two and a half years. Only one member of the 45-member Corps of Discovery was lost along the way.
Historic Trail
In 1978, the United States Congress established the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. This trail, which traces the original journey of the Corps of Discovery, spans 3,700 miles, from Illinois to the Pacific Coast.
Source:
PBS.org: Lewis and Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery
U.S. National Park Service: The Lewis and Clark Journey of Discovery
Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation
More Information:
National Geographic: Go West Across America with Lewis and Clark
EdGate.com: Lewis and Clark: Mapping the West
U.S. Geological Survey: The Lewis and Clark Expedition and the USGS
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