© 2024 Kansas Public Radio

91.5 FM | KANU | Lawrence, Topeka, Kansas City
96.1 FM | K241AR | Lawrence (KPR2)
89.7 FM | KANH | Emporia
99.5 FM | K258BT | Manhattan
97.9 FM | K250AY | Manhattan (KPR2)
91.3 FM | KANV | Junction City, Olsburg
89.9 FM | K210CR | Atchison
90.3 FM | KANQ | Chanute

See the Coverage Map for more details

FCC On-line Public Inspection Files Sites:
KANU, KANH, KANV, KANQ

Questions about KPR's Public Inspection Files?
Contact General Manager Feloniz Lovato-Winston at fwinston@ku.edu
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

American Independence - July 6, 2018

independence_creek_atchison_ks.jpg

Q: When Lewis and Clark’s expedition, the Corps of Discovery, held the first Fourth of July celebration west of the Mississippi, they fired a cannon, drank extra rations of whiskey and named a body of water "Independence Creek." All of this took place near present day Atchison. What was the year in which this celebration took place?

_____________________________________________________________

A: 1804

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark held the first ever Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi on July 4, 1804, near present-day Atchison, Kansas. To celebrate, the Corps of Discovery expedition fired the cannon on their keelboat and drank an extra ration of whiskey. Lewis and Clark also named a creek -- near what is now Atchison, Kansas -- Independence Creek. Happy (belated) birthday, America!  

Learn more about Lewis and Clark in Kansas.