Lewis&Clark Timeline

Congress Approval

Jan 18, 1803

U.S. President Thomas Jefferson sends a secret message to Congress asking for approval and funding of an expedition to explore the Western part of the continent.

Louisiana Purchase

Jul 4, 1803

News of the Louisiana Purchase is announced; Lewis will now be exploring land largely owned by the United States.

Lewis&Clark

Mar 10, 1804

Lewis and Clark travel to St. Louis to attend ceremonies formally transferring the Louisiana Territory to the United States.

Toussaint Charbonneau & Sacagawea

Nov 4, 1804

November 4, 1804
Lewis and Clark hire French-Canadian fur-trader Toussaint Charbonneau and his Shoshone wife, Sacagawea, to act as interpreters on the journey ahead.

Sacagawea's son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau

Feb 11, 1805

Sacagawea's son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau—nicknamed Pompy by Clark—is born with assistance from Lewis.

Great Falls of the Missouri

Jun 13, 1805

Lewis reaches the Great Falls of the Missouri—five massive cascades around which the men must carry all of their gear, including the canoes.

Three Forks of the Missouri

Jul 28, 1805

The expedition reaches the Three Forks of the Missouri which they name the Jefferson, Gallatin, and Madison in honor of the President, Secretary of the Treasury, and Secretary of State.

Ocian in View

Nov 7, 1805

Believing he sees the Pacific, Clark writes, "Ocian in View! O the joy." In reality, they are seeing only the widening estuary of the Columbia River.

Fort Clatsop

Nov 24, 1805

Having reached the Pacific, the entire expedition—including Sacagawea and Clark's slave, York—take a vote on where to build their winter quarters. They chose the Clatsop Indian side of the Columbia, and the encampment came to be called Fort Clatsop.

National Heroes

Sep 23, 1806

Having found an easier route across the country, the men reach St. Louis nearly two and a half years after their journey began and are acclaimed as national heroes.