The Lewis and Clark Expedition

The Lewis and Clark Expedition took place from 1804 to 1806. President Thomas Jefferson sent two men named Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on the trip. They were asked to explore the huge new land America had just bought. Their job was to find a way to the Pacific Ocean.

Starting the Trip

Lewis and Clark started their journey in St. Louis, Missouri. They took boats up the Missouri River with about 30 other men. They drew maps and wrote down everything they saw. Along the way, they met many Native American tribes. The group saw animals and plants they had never seen before.

Help from Sacagawea

A young Native American woman named Sacagawea joined the team. She was from the Shoshone tribe and knew the land well. She helped them find food and talk to other tribes. Thanks to her help, the team made it all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Then they turned around and walked back home.

Fun Facts

• The team traveled over 8,000 miles in about two and a half years.
• Lewis brought his dog, a Newfoundland named Seaman, on the whole trip.
• They found over 120 new kinds of animals.

Did You Know?

Sacagawea was only a teenager when she helped Lewis and Clark, and she even carried her baby on the journey.