The big kickoff to Missouri’s Lewis and Clark Bicentennial celebration has featured re-enactors, flags, and a nickel in the shadow of the Gateway Arch. The three flags festival was actually more than 40 flags festival. The three flags representing the flags that flew over Missouri before statethood – those of France, Spain, and the United States – with 40 more representing the Indian tribes who lived in the Louisiana Purchase. The new nickel design unveiled at the ceremony still has Jefferson on the front, but has a replica on the peace medallion on the back. The medallion was given to Indians during the Lewis and Clark trip.
