Great Emigration departs for Oregon

On May 22, 1843, the first wagon train with 700 - 1000 migrants departed from Independence, Missouri for Oregon.

"A massive wagon train, made up of 1,000 settlers and 1,000 head of cattle, sets off down the Oregon Trail from Independence, Missouri. Known as the "Great Emigration," the expedition came two years after the first modest party of settlers made the long, overland journey to Oregon."