DENVER (KDVR) — On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, putting the United States on the path to evolve into what it is known as today.
As the celebrations of freedom commenced on the East Coast, a much more distant Colorado remained untouched by British colonials. It wouldn't be until 1876 that Colorado was admitted to the Union, as it earned its title as the Centennial State after being admitted 100 years after the Declaration of Independence.
Joey Chestnut reclaims title in Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest, wins 17th Mustard BeltSo what did Colorado look like on July 4, 1776?
The land was occupied by Native tribes, while the Spanish partially expanded its empire near the region, which included sending a party of 10 to navigate a path through Colorado at a time when famed westward expeditionaries Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were only two and six years old, respectively.
According to History Colorado, the Native tribes in Colorado at the time included:
Apache
This tribe was located in southeastern Colorado and was known for its nomadic buffalo hunting and gathering lifestyle.
Arapahoe
The Arapahoe tribe was located in northeastern Colorado after migrating from the Great Lakes region earlier in the century.
Cheyenne
Also located in northeastern Colorado, the Cheyenne aligned with the Arapahoe at times and were known for their horse riding and buffalo hunting.
Comanche
The Comanche had recently expanded into the southeastern plains of the region in the 18th century and were known for their exceptional horse riding ability.
Ute
The Ute tribe was split into two locations, in central Colorado and west towards the Rocky Mountains. The Utes are considered the oldest continuous residents in the state.
Colorado has seen its Native civilizations change over the centuries, with the aforementioned tribes being those who interacted with the Spanish around the time before and in 1776.
By 1776, the Spanish had been in Colorado in some capacity for nearly 200 years, with Spanish explorers finding their way to the state as early as the 15th century, while traveling around uninhabited lands in New Mexico and Texas for the Spanish Empire, according to Southern Ute History.
Since the 15th century, leading up to 1776, there had been interactions between the Spanish and the Native tribes, which included conflicts, tension and occasional trading. One significant development in the time frame was the introduction of horses to Native tribes. However, it wouldn't be until the mid-1700s that major trading would commence, according to the National Park Service.
The Spanish Empire had established itself in California and New Mexico, and in 1776 wanted to find an overland route from Santa Fe to Monterey.
In July of 1776, a team of 10 led by Fathers Francisco Atanasio Dominguez and Silvestre Vélez de Escalante embarked on their six-month journey through Colorado in what became known as the Dominguez-Escalante Expedition.
The expedition party consisted of men born in Spain, Mexico and New Mexico, as well as three Utes who served as guides for the party, including a 12-year-old boy who was met at a Ute village in Colorado.
The expedition to California was not completed, as the group determined that with winter on the way, the route would become too dangerous and decided to return to Santa Fe after finding their way into Utah. The group arrived back home on Jan. 2, 1777, according to the National Park Service.
While the journey may have been ruled a failure, the expedition has become a key resource for historians, as it showed some of the first documented interactions between the Spanish and Native tribes in Colorado, as well as the first mapping of the geography of the region.
Photos: NICU babies celebrate Fourth of JulyEscalante kept a detailed journal during the trip, which gave a first-hand look into plant and animal life, and the appearance, dress and food of the Native tribes in Colorado.
Another man in the group, Don Bernardo Miera y Pacheco, drew a slightly inaccurate, yet important map of the region, becoming the first documentation of the land by Europeans.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( What did Colorado look like on July 4, 1776? )
Also on site :