Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Celebration.

It was less than 200 years ago that the heroic expedition of the Corps of Discovery began, led by Captain Meriwether Lewis and Captain William Clark. Thirty- three people traveled with the two explorers into unknown territory, starting near what is now known as Wood River, Illinois in 1804 and reaching the Pacific Ocean by 1805. Today's trail follows their route as closely as possible, spanning approximately 3,700 miles, beginning near Wood River and passing through portions of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Although the official beginning of the Bicentennial is still two years away, planning and preparation for commemorative events and other activities have been underway for several years, led and coordinated to a great degree by the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council and the Federal Interagency Lewis and Clark working group.

In observance of Lewis and Clark's journey, an estimated twenty-five million travelers will camp, drive, bike, paddle, ride, or walk in the explorers' footsteps during the bicentennial from 2003 through 2006. People will be encouraged to attend commemorative events, festivals, and re-enactments; to view films, video, and online productions: and to visit interpretive and cultural centers, museums, and parks.

The National Park Service, in collaboration with other federal agencies, private partners and supporters, will implement Corps of Discovery II: 200 Years to the Future, a mobile national park providing living history reenactments, interpretive programs, and natural and cultural history lessons. The Corps of Discovery II will begin its journey at Monticello on March 1, 2003, and visit the eastern cities in which Meriwether Lewis prepared for his voyage. A gala send-off celebration will be held at the White House on July 4, 2003. From Washington DC, Corps II will follow the route of Lewis and Clark across the United States to the Oregon coast and return to St. Louis on September 23, 2006 - 200 years after the date of return of the original Corps of Discovery. It will travel, as nearly as possible, the exact route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and will serve as an anchor for hundreds of local and regional commemorations. During the 1,309 days of its journey (March 1, 2003, to September 23, 2006), it will emphasize conservation, history, education, and reconciliation with Native Americans. It will honor an emerging United States at the beginning of the 19th century, reveal the state of America at the beginning of the 21st century, and explore our future.

The National Council of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial has planned several national bicentennial programs to celebrate this historic occasion. These programs include Stewardship of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, Stewardship of the Rivers of Lewis and Clark, Tribal Legacy Projects, and Arts and Humanities Projects.

The Council is also working with partners across the nation to prepare a series of up to twelve bicentennial events of national significance. These "signature" events, or National Commemorative Events, will encourage participation by the largest possible number of citizens in ways that connect them physically, visually, and intellectually with the expedition and its historical sites. They will be held along the route of Lewis and Clark at chronologically appropriate times. Participating planning partners include Native American tribes, private groups, corporations and businesses, and local, state, and federal agencies. The events will enhance economic development and tourism of Lewis and Clark sites with sensitivity to environmental and cultural issues. The first event will be the "kick off" of the expedition at Monticello, Charlottesville, Virginia on January 18, 2003. This beginning ceremony will recreate Jefferson's Indian Hall exhibits, publish new scholarship, and offer seminars, tours, and other educational programming. The second event will celebrate Discovery's historic arrival at the Pacific Ocean, occurring at the mouth of the Columbia River. A national observance of the Corps' Fort Clatsop sojourn will occur November 2005-2006. The remaining events are in varying stages of development by local organizers in all Lewis and Clark states.

To view general information about the bicentennial or for current information on the development of programs and events, go to the National Council of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial official site at www.lewisandclark200.org. To view additional information about the trail or Lewis and Clark's route, go to the National Park Service Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail site at www.nps.gov/lecl.