The Corps of Discovery was an expedition commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson in 1803 to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. Led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, the mission aimed to map the land, establish trade with Native American tribes, and find a water route to the Pacific Ocean. The journey began in May 1804 and lasted until September 1806. The expedition covered over 8,000 miles, traveling along the Missouri River and reaching the Pacific Coast. The Corps documented various plant and animal species, as well as the geography of the region. Their findings significantly contributed to the understanding of the American West.