Events with tag - Mississippi River

April 1, 1699

First European Settlement on Mississippi River

In 1699, Fort de la Boulaye became the first permanent European settlement along the Mississippi River, following Robert de La Salle's historic 1682 expedition that claimed the territory for France. This establishment marked a crucial turning point in North American colonial history.

January 1717

First Mississippi River Levee Built

In 1717, the first levee on the Mississippi River was constructed near New Orleans under the supervision of French engineer Pierre Le Blond de La Tour. This three-foot-high, one-mile-long structure marked the beginning of what would become one of North America's most extensive flood control systems.

May 7, 1718

Founding of New Orleans

New Orleans was established as a strategic French colonial port city on the Mississippi River, marking a pivotal moment in North American colonial history. The settlement quickly developed into a vital trading hub and cultural melting pot.

May 14, 1804

Lewis and Clark Expedition Launches

The Lewis and Clark Expedition embarked on their historic journey from Camp Dubois near St. Louis, Missouri, launching a three-year exploration of the American West that would revolutionize the mapping and understanding of the newly acquired Louisiana Territory.

October 20, 1811

First Steamboat Navigation on Mississippi River

The New Orleans, built by Robert Fulton and Robert Livingston, completed the first successful steamboat journey on the Mississippi River, traveling 2,000 miles from Pittsburgh to New Orleans. This historic voyage revolutionized American river commerce and transportation.

October 20, 1811

First Steamboat on Mississippi River

The New Orleans, built by Robert Fulton and Robert Livingston, completed the first successful steamboat journey on the Mississippi River from Pittsburgh to New Orleans in 14 days, revolutionizing American river transportation.

February 7, 1812

Mississippi River Reversal

In an extraordinary geological event, the Mississippi River temporarily reversed its flow direction for several hours due to the powerful New Madrid earthquakes, which caused significant uplift in the riverbed and created lasting changes to the landscape.

August 1, 1819

Fort Snelling Establishment

Fort Snelling, established in 1819, was a strategic military outpost built at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, serving as the first permanent U.S. government presence in the Minnesota Territory.

January 1, 1830

Mississippi River Underground Railroad

The Mississippi River served as a crucial pathway in the Underground Railroad network from 1830 to 1863, marking the boundary between slave states and free territories. This waterway facilitated thousands of escape attempts through an intricate system of safe houses, crossing points, and brave conductors.

January 23, 1855

First Mississippi River Bridge Opens

The Hennepin Avenue Bridge, completed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, became the first permanent bridge to span the Mississippi River. This engineering marvel featured 80-foot limestone towers and a 620-foot wooden deck, transforming transportation and commerce in the American Midwest.

April 22, 1855

First Mississippi River Bridge Opens

The first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River opened in 1855, connecting Rock Island, Illinois to Davenport, Iowa. This engineering marvel revolutionized American transportation by establishing the first permanent rail connection across the mighty river.

April 25, 1862

Capture of New Orleans

Union Admiral David Farragut led a successful naval assault capturing New Orleans, the Confederacy's largest city and most important port. This strategic victory gave the Union control over the lower Mississippi River and dealt a severe blow to Confederate supply lines.

May 18, 1863

Battle of Vicksburg

The 47-day siege of Vicksburg (May 18 - July 4, 1863) was a decisive Union victory in the American Civil War. Under General Ulysses S. Grant, Union forces captured this Confederate stronghold, gaining control of the Mississippi River and effectively splitting the Confederacy in two.

July 4, 1863

Battle of Vicksburg Surrender

The Battle of Vicksburg concluded on July 4, 1863, marking a crucial Union victory in the American Civil War. After a 47-day siege, Confederate forces surrendered to Union Major General Ulysses S. Grant, giving the North control of the vital Mississippi River and effectively splitting the Confederacy in two.

July 4, 1863

Battle of Vicksburg

The Battle of Vicksburg was a pivotal 47-day siege during the American Civil War, where Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant captured the Confederate stronghold, effectively splitting the Confederacy and gaining control of the Mississippi River.

April 12, 1864

Fort Pillow Massacre

Confederate forces under Nathan Bedford Forrest attacked Fort Pillow in Tennessee, killing hundreds of surrendering Union soldiers, predominantly African American troops. This event became one of the most controversial atrocities of the American Civil War.

June 28, 1879

Mississippi River Commission Established

Congress established the Mississippi River Commission as the first federal water management authority to coordinate flood control and navigation improvements along America's largest river system.

January 1, 1917

First Mississippi River Lock and Dam

The completion of Lock and Dam No. 1 in 1917 between Minneapolis and St. Paul revolutionized navigation on the Mississippi River. This pioneering $2.9 million project introduced innovative engineering features and transformed the unpredictable waterway into a reliable transportation corridor.

May 20, 1926

Delta Queen Steamboat Launch

The historic Delta Queen steamboat, built in Scotland and assembled in California, began its journey as a luxury overnight passenger vessel, later becoming an iconic symbol of American river transportation.