Important Dates

1762		France cedes Louisiana Territory to Spain
1800		Spain returns Louisiana Territory to France
1802		Cession of Louisiana Territory announced to United States Congress
April 30, 1803		America buys the Louisiana Territory for $15,000,000
July 4, 1803		Louisiana Purchase announced to the American people
November 30, 1803		Spain transfers Lower Louisiana, including New Orleans, to France
December 20, 1803		France transfers Lower Louisiana to the United States
March 9-10, 1804		Three Flags Ceremony in St. Louis - Spain transfers Upper Louisiana to France, France then transfers it to the United States
May 14, 1804		Lewis and Clark leave from Wood River, Illinois, entering the newly acquired Louisiana Territory