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Beginning of Expedition
Lewis and Clark begin the expedition that would put them in the history books. They hiked and boated over 800,000 square miles in total over a span of two and a half years. Although they were not that famous in their time, they are now renowned explorers. -
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Lewis and Clark
Lewis and Clark's expedition to discover and map the land out West. -
Independence Day
The Corps of Discovery hold the first celebration of Independence Day west of the Mississippi River. The Native Americans had, of course, never heard of this holiday, and since the territory was unexplored, no one had ever even heard of the Fourth of July. -
Charles Floyd
A man named Charles Floyd dies of natural causes near present-day Sioux City, Iowa. He was the only fatality among the Corps in the expedition, and Floyd's Bluff was named after him in his honor. -
Animals Unknown
Lewis and Clark enter the and see many animals unknown to the eastern United States (Prarie dog shown left). Over these years they discovered over 300 different species of animals and plants, sending them back to Jefferson as they went. -
Sacagawea
Lewis and Clark encounter Toussaint Charbonneau, along with his wife, to assist as enterpreters during their expedition. Sacagawea, a Shoshone Native American, proved extremely helpful throughout their journey. -
So Cold...
The Corps record the temperature to be 45 degrees below zero, "colder than they ever knew it to be in the States." These men had to press on, however cold they were, because it was better to be cold than left behind. -
Fort Mandan
The men finish building Fort Mandan, their home for the grueling winter months. Winters in the west at that time were very cold, dangerously so. The men could not have hoped to cross the countryside alive in the middle of such a cold. -
Pompy
Jean Baptiste Charbonneau (nicknamed by Clark as "Pompy") is born with assistance from Lewis. He is brought up traveling with the explorers, learning about his land on the back of his mother. At the end of their journey, Pompy was about two years old. -
Jefferson's Specimens
Lewis and Clark send shipments of specimens that they have discovered to President Jefferson throughout their journey. This is one of the shipment dates. Send back were animals, plants, and even artifacts that were completely new tp them, and the States. -
Which one?
The Corps reached an unknown, completely unexpended fork in the river, and had to choose (blindly) which way to go. This was a very important decision for them, because if they chose the wrong path, they could have wound up going south instead of west. -
Family Reuinion
The weary travelers reach the Shoshone camp, where Sacagawea is shocked to find that her long-lost brother, Cameahwait, is cheif of the tribe. They are welcomed with open arms, and Sacagawea is elated to finally meet her brother. -
Traveler's Rest
The men make camp in Montana, near present-day Missoula, at a place they name Traveler's Rest. They eat and regain their energy for the nearby mountain that they will have to cross soon. It will be difficult, so they must save their energy. -
What a Relief!
The expedition reaches the Columbia River, the last waterway to the Pacific Ocean. They are hungry and tired, and relieved to see their progress in full. They are anxious to see the Pacific, and still have yet to find a waterway that leads to it (which they never will). -
Majority Rules
Lewis and Clark decide to take a vote as to where they should build their quarters for winter. The entire expedition - even Sacagawea and Clark's servant, York - votes, and they decide to cross to the south side of the Columbia River and build Fort Clatsop, named after the Native American tribe nearby. -
Jefferson's Powwow
President Jefferson welcomes a collection of Missouri, Oto, Arikara, and Yankton Sioux chiefs who had met with Lewis and Clark over a year earlier. -
Fort Clatsop
Lewis and Clark present the Clatsop Native Americans with Fort Clatsop, their winter fort, after whom it was named. They accept the gracious gift, and the expedition begins their long journey home back the way they came. -
The Arrival
Lewis, Clark, and the entire expedition return safely to St. Louis, where they are regarded as American heroes. They are still considered incredible explorers and pioneers today, along with Sacagawea and the rest of the expedition (to a lesser extent).
