Lewis and Clark in North Dakota
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Introduction

The Lewis and Clark expedition is one of the most remarkable events in our nation's history. With help from the Library of Congress--our nation's library, I have created a virtual exhibit of their incredible journey filled with rare maps, original letters and colorful illustrations -- many found only in the collections of the Library of Congress. We recently have added rare documents from the National Archives to this exhibit.

The journey began nearly 200 years ago when President Thomas Jefferson chose Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to lead an expedition to explore the territory west of the Missouri River through what is now eleven states, including North Dakota.

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This map approximates the location of the State of North Dakota
overlayed on the first published map of the expeditions' discoveries.

North Dakota on Lews & Clark Map

Lewis & Clark and their 44-man team left St. Louis on May 14, 1804. Some 150 days later they built Fort Mandan for their winter camp-- near modern day Washburn, North Dakota. They wintered with the Mandan Indians, and continued their journey to the Pacific the following spring. This exhibit examines the North Dakota portion of the Lewis and Clark expedition. It will provide you with a wonderful snapshot of the soldiers' lives and experiences, their interaction with the Mandans, and also about a courageous woman named Sacagawea who joined the expedition that winter.

My resolution commemorating the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition was signed into law. With that we now have the support and participation of the federal government in celebrating this epic exploration.

Today, across the nation, activities to commemorate the Lewis and Clark journey and rekindle its spirit of discovery are underway through educational programs, re-enactments, museums, recreational projects, and events along the length of the national historic trail.

I hope you'll join the celebration, and enjoy this slice of North Dakota's history.

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