March 2004 marked the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase; according to Anthony Brandt of "National Geographic News," this purchase of land is what inspired President Jefferson and allowed him to send a group of explorers on a tour of the Missouri River. Brandt reports that the original Three Flags Ceremony was attended by the French and Spanish ambassadors, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Interior, and the president of the National Congress of American Indians.
In honor of its bicentennial, the city of St. Louis hosted a reenactment of the Three Flags Ceremony. The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) reports that the bicentennial ceremony featured the reenactment of Meriwether Lewis and members from the expedition crossing the Mississippi River and arriving at the ceremony site. The reenactment also included the French Air Force Band and the US Army band's Old Guard dressed in period costumes.
According to Brandt, after leaving St. Louis in 1804, the Lewis and Clark expedition arrived at St. Charles. There, they spent some time collecting supplies and preparing to leave what was then the western edge of the United States. While there, Brandt reports that the town of St. Charles threw a party for the expedition on May 16. The next day, a member of the expedition, John Collins, was found guilty of "behaving in an unbecoming manner" and "speaking in a language after his return to camp tending to bring into disrespect the orders of the commanding officer." He received fifty lashes across his back.
As part of the bicentennial celebrations, St. Charles again hosted a party on May 16, 2004. Brandt reports that two dances were given--one a "hoedown" for enlisted men and the other a grand ball for Lewis, Clark, and other members of the upper class. Period costumes were worn at both and period experts instruced guests in authentic dance steps. The following day, Brandt reports that an actor representing John Collins was brought to trial and found guilty.
In addition to these dances and courtroom dramas, NGS reports that visitors could view the replica boats used in the reenactments. Fife and drum corps and military units from across the country were also present.
On July 4, 1804, Lewis and Clark's expedition became the first to celebrate Independence Day west of the Mississippi River. Brandt adds that it was also the 28th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. According to NGS, just on the other side of the Kansas-Missouri border, near Atchison Kansas, Lewis and Clark celebrated by firing two cannon blasts from their keelboat.
Of course, the bicentennial marker of this event involved more than merely two cannon shots. NGS reports that fireworks and readings of the Declaration of Independence took place throughout the Kansas City area. Additionally, residents of the area met with the actors and looked at the replica boats.
Though the big bicentennial reenactments have ended, the Discovery Expedition group continues to provide historic demonstrations. Based in the Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center (lewisandclark.net) in St. Charles, Missouri, the group participates in a variety of events each year, including the annual Lewis and Clark Heritage Days every May. According to the Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center website, members of the organization are in 36 states and are willing to provide presentations across the country.
