French explorers Joliet and Marquette explore the Mississippi?

In the summer of 1673, French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet set out from Mackinaw, Michigan to explore the Mississippi River and search for a route to the Pacific Ocean. They traveled by canoe and followed the Mississippi River south, passing through present-day Wisconsin, Iowa, and Missouri. Along the way, they met with Native American tribes and learned about the region's geography and resources.

In June 1674, Marquette and Jolliet reached the mouth of the Arkansas River, where they turned back. They had reached the southernmost point of their journey and were concerned about continuing further south, as they were aware that the Spanish had claimed the region.

Marquette and Jolliet returned to Mackinaw and reported their findings to their superiors. Their expedition was a success, and it helped to open up the Mississippi River region to further exploration and development.