jan 1, 1838 - Charles Wilkes

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From 1838 to 1842, Charles Wilkes led the United States Exploring Expedition, a landmark mission that significantly advanced scientific knowledge of the Pacific and Antarctic regions. The expedition explored vast areas, including parts of Antarctica, the Pacific islands, and the Pacific Northwest. Wilkes' team collected valuable geographic, botanical, and ethnographic data, as well as thousands of specimens, many of which became part of the Smithsonian Institution's collections. The expedition's findings contributed greatly to the fields of oceanography, cartography, and natural science, marking an important chapter in the history of American exploration.

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