September 08

On September 8, 1810, the merchant ship Tonquin departed New York Harbor bound for the Pacific Northwest. On board were 33 employees of John Jacob Astor’s newly founded Pacific Fur Company. Their mission was to establish Fort Astoria for the fur trade on the Columbia River. The expedition represented America’s expanding commercial ambitions in the Pacific. It faced harsh seas, diplomatic challenges, and interactions with indigenous peoples. Fort Astoria would become the first American-owned settlement on the Pacific coast.

The Great Herding, or El Gran Arreo, commenced on September 8, 1888, under the direction of Argentine ranchers seeking to populate the remote plains of Patagonia. Over several weeks, cowboys guided flocks of up to 100,000 sheep through rugged terrain and harsh weather conditions. The venture opened new grazing lands near the Strait of Magellan, facilitating Argentina’s emergence as a leading global exporter of wool and mutton. The journey tested the endurance of both livestock and handlers, requiring careful water and feed management. This pioneering drive symbolized Argentina’s economic development and territorial consolidation in the late 19th century. The success of the herdings laid foundations for the modern sheep-farming industry in southern Argentina.