| October 26, 2003 |
Previous | Next |
Rivers, Edens, Empires
In  1803 on assignment from President Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark began their much-celebrated trek into North America's wilderness. But before the duo's historic 1803 journey, the Spanish, British, and French had sent soldiers, missionaries, and explorers out west as well. These incomplete missions supported the notion that California was an island and a northwest passage existed between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. On a mission to discover the true great frontier, Lewis and Clark also acted as diplomatic emissaries between the U.S. government and the native peoples. Their harrowing three-year expedition set a gold standard for further exploration and settlement of the West. With contemporary documents, maps, illustrations, and other objects, the Library of Congress provides rich historical context for America's quest into more elbowroom. (in Lewis and Clark) |
|
Email this Pick
Save to del.icio.us
Save to My Web
Digg This
|
|
|
|
|
