Lewis and Clark Expedition (14 maio 1804 ano – 23 set 1806 ano)

Descrição:

Officially known as the Corps of Discovery Expedition, it was an exploration of the newly purchased Louisiana Territory organized by President Jefferson. The Corps of Discovery was a group of soldiers headed by Captain Meriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark. They were tasked with exploring the new territory, establishing an American presence there, and finding a practical route to the Pacific Ocean as their primary goals. The Corps also took notes of the area's geography, flora, and fauna, and established relations with local Native American tribes. They started in Pittsburgh, PA on May 14, 1804, and traveled across the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers until they arrived at the Missouri River, which would take them through the territory. In November, they met Sacagawea, a Shoshone woman who acted as their interpreter with other Native Americans. The group established Fort Mandan in present-day North Dakota in December 1805, and reached the Pacific Ocean on November 20, 1805. They camped there for the winter and returned to St. Louis in modern-day Missouri to report their findings. Overall, they charted 140 maps, established relations with 70 tribes, and discovered over 200 new species of plants and animals.