Congress authorizes a U.S. exploring expeditionMar 21, 1836Labels: U S, Exploring ExpeditionCongress govSmithsonian
Wilkes Expedition departs Norfolk, VirginiaAug 18, 1838Labels: Charles Wilkes, U SSmithsonianSmithsonian Libraries
Scientific corps begins systematic specimen collectingSep 1, 1838Labels: Scientific Corps, Specimen CollectingSmithsonianSmithsonian Libraries
Squadron sails south from Sydney toward AntarcticaDec 26, 1839Labels: Sydney, Antarctic ExpeditionSmithsonianNLB BiblioAsia
Antarctic land is sighted during coastal surveyJan 19, 1840Labels: Wilkes Land, Antarctic SightingsNLB BiblioAsiaHISTORY
Expedition completes major Antarctic coastline chartingFeb 21, 1840Labels: Antarctic Charting, Coastline SurveyNLB BiblioAsiaSmithsonian
Fiji surveys and natural history collecting intensifyJul 1, 1840Labels: Fiji, Field CollectingNLB BiblioAsiaU S Capitol
Pacific Northwest surveys include Oregon coast workApr 1, 1841Labels: Pacific Northwest, Oregon CoastSmithsonianU S Capitol
Expedition returns to New York with vast collectionsJun 10, 1842Labels: New York, Expedition CollectionsSmithsonianSmithsonian Libraries
Collections are exhibited at the Patent OfficeJan 1, 1844Labels: Patent Office, Public ExhibitionSmithsonianSmithsonian Libraries
Wilkes’s Narrative is published for broad readershipJan 1, 1845Labels: Wilkes Narrative, Charles WilkesLibrary CongressSmithsonian Libraries
Scientific reports begin appearing in subject volumesJan 1, 1846Labels: Scientific Reports, Subject VolumesSmithsonian LibrariesBHL
Congress transfers the expedition collections to SmithsonianJan 1, 1857Labels: Smithsonian Institution, CongressSmithsonian LibrariesSmithsonian