On the 222nd anniversary of the start of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation honoring the "Corps of Discovery" for forever altering the destiny of the United States.

The President framed the expedition as a testament to the "unmatched courage and perseverance" that defines the American character, linking the historic journey to the nation's current pursuit of new frontiers in innovation and greatness.

Following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned a small, elite military unit—the Corps of Discovery—to explore the vast new lands.

• • The Launch: On May 14, 1804, Captain Meriwether Lewis and Lieutenant William Clark departed from Camp Dubois in Illinois.

  • The Objective: Their mission was to assert American sovereignty over the territory and establish a presence from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.

The President recounted the immense physical challenges faced by the explorers, including:

• • Navigating the Missouri River.

  • Crossing the Rocky Mountains under "extreme conditions."

  • Following the Columbia River to reach the Pacific coast in November 1805.

Beyond physical endurance, the expedition was highlighted for its intellectual and diplomatic contributions:

• • Documentation: The team recorded new wildlife, plant species, and geography, creating maps that would guide American expansion for generations.

  • Tribal Relations: The President noted the "indispensable assistance" of guides and interpreters, most notably Sacagawea and her son, "Little Pomp." Their presence helped the Corps forge essential relationships with Native American tribes.

President Trump described the return of the expedition in 1806 as a moment that unlocked the American West.

• • Fulfilling Destiny: The journey proved there was "no frontier too vast" and "no dream beyond reach," helping to fulfill the nation’s Manifest Destiny.

  • Prosperity: The expedition carried the "promise of prosperity" to the far corners of the continent, inspiring millions of Americans to move westward.

As the United States commemorates its Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary), the President called on the nation to honor the bold spirit of Lewis and Clark by pursuing "new frontiers of innovation." He concluded by pledging that the United States will remain strong and free, continuing to push the limits of possibility just as the pioneers did over two centuries ago.