Let's take a look back at some of the events that helped shape the Kentucky Derby horse race, America's longest continuously held sporting event. One of the key influencers was the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which opened up the vast unknown territories of the American West. This pivotal journey not only expanded the boundaries of the young nation but also introduced Americans and Europeans to a plethora of new plant and animal species.
The expedition introduced Americans and Europeans to hundreds of varieties of plants and animals, met with dozens of native tribes and produced an accurately detailed map of the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. Led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, the Corps of Discovery set out in 1804 to explore the uncharted lands beyond the Mississippi River. Their mission was to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean and establish trade with Native American tribes along the way.
The legend of Lewis and Clark is today so deeply ingrained in our national memory, as the predecessors to the age of Davy Crockett and his tales of the Wild West. Their courageous journey through harsh terrain, encountering hostile tribes and facing extreme weather conditions, exemplifies the spirit of exploration and adventure that defined the early years of the United States.