Meriwether Lewis and William Clark depart Fort Clatsop in present-day Oregon, concluding their legendary expedition to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory and establish a route to the Pacific Ocean. Their courageous journey, documented in the journals of the Corps of Discovery, remains a symbol of exploration and adventure in American history. It shaped the nation’s understanding of its vast and diverse landscape for generations to come, laying the groundwork for westward expansion and cultural exchange.
