May 10

Born in 1757 in King's Lynn, England, George Vancouver joined the Royal Navy at age 13. He served under Captain James Cook on his final voyages, gaining valuable navigational experience. In 1791, he was appointed to lead an expedition to the Pacific Ocean to survey the North American west coast. Over four years, he meticulously charted the coasts of Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. Several geographic features, including Vancouver Island and the Strait of Georgia, bear his name. His detailed maps and journals greatly advanced European understanding of the region.