  |
|
• |
|
|
|
Lewis and Clark Trail Bicentennial
The Lewis and Clark Trail was traveled only once: by the brave men (and one woman and baby) of the Corps of Discovery (1804-1806). However, Americans - and Lewis and Clark buffs worldwide - will be retracing the steps of the famous expedition during the trail's Bicentennial over the next four years in an effort to connect with that sense of adventure and wonder that propelled the men westward. The primary goal of the Lewis and Clark expedition was to find the Northwest Passage to the Pacific. Not only did they fail to find it, but they may have forged the single most difficult route over the Rockies!
Subsequent explorers - and certainly the emigrants of the Westward Expansion Movement - followed more southern and far easier passages through North America's western mountain ranges. Wyoming's South Pass provided a gradual and navigable opening through the Rockies that Lewis and Clark only dreamed of. The American Spirit
2003 marked the beginning of a four-year celebration
commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Corps of Discovery's epic journey.
Trail sites from Monticello to Astoria sponsored activities to correspond with events which took place at their locations.
Lewis and Clark have been called the "writingest explorers" in the history of the world. It's true that they faithfully kept records of everything they saw and the people that they met, but far more has been written since! And the Bicentennial produced a whole spate of new publications.
We have gathered some of the best of these writings here and on our sister
website at Take me where history happened
Want to learn more? |
|
|
Still
we celebrate their singular accomplishment because is was inaugural, because it
was astonishing and because it represents the best of the American spirit.