Lewis and Clark

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were American explorers. Lewis was born in Virginia in 1774, and Clark was born in Virginia in 1770. President Thomas Jefferson asked them to explore the western part of North America. Their journey is one of the greatest adventures in American history.

Early Life

Lewis was a soldier and President Jefferson's personal secretary. Clark was also a soldier who was good at drawing maps. Jefferson chose Lewis to lead the expedition, and Lewis asked Clark to be his co-leader. They gathered a team called the Corps of Discovery.

Big Achievements

Lewis and Clark traveled from St. Louis, Missouri, to the Pacific Ocean and back. The trip took over two years, from 1804 to 1806. They mapped new territory, met many Native American tribes, and discovered plants and animals unknown to scientists. Their guide Sacagawea helped them along the way.

Fun Facts

• Lewis brought his dog, a Newfoundland named Seaman, on the entire journey.
• The team ate over 200 pounds of meat a day.
• They discovered 122 new animal species and 178 new plants.

Did You Know?

Only one member of the expedition died during the two-year journey, and it was likely from appendicitis. This was amazing for such a dangerous trip through unknown lands.