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President Jefferson Requests Approval from Congress
"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 is Announced
"News of the Louisiana Purchase is announced; Lewis will now be exploring land largely owned by the United States." -
Journey Begins
"The Corps of Discovery leaves Camp Wood and begins its journey up the Missouri River 'under a gentle breeze.'" -
Charles Floyd Dies
"Sergeant Charles Floyd dies of natural causes near present-day Sioux City, Iowa; he will be the only fatality among the Corps of Discovery during the expedition." -
Encounter with the Teton Sioux
"The Corps has a tense encounter with the Teton Sioux near today's Pierre, South Dakota; one of the Sioux chiefs waves his men off and conflict is averted." -
Arrival at Mandan and Hidatsa Villages
"Near today's Bismarck, North Dakota, the Corps arrives at the villages of the Mandan and Hidatsa, buffalo-hunting tribes that live along the Missouri River." -
Sacagawea and Toussaint Charbonneau Hired as Interpreters
"Lewis and Clark hire French-Canadian fur-trader Toussaint Charbonneau and his Shoshone wife, Sacagawea, to act as interpreters on the journey ahead." -
Arrival at Great Falls of Missouri
"Lewis reaches the Great Falls of the Missouri—five massive cascades around which the men must carry all of their gear, including the canoes." -
Crossing of Continental Divide
"Lewis finds the headwaters of the Missouri River, then crosses the Continental Divide and Lemhi Pass to discover that there is no Northwest Passage." -
Arrival at Shoshone Camp
"The main party arrives at the Shoshone camp, where Sacagawea recognizes the chief as her long-lost brother, Cameahwait." -
Stop at Traveler's Rest in Today's Montana
"The men camp near today's Missoula, Montana at a spot they name Traveler's Rest while they prepare for the mountain crossing to come." -
Crossing of Bitterroot Mountains
"The Corps begins the steep ascent into the Bitterroot Range of the Rocky Mountains; the crossing will cover more than 160 miles (260 kilometers)." -
Arrival of Nez Perce Village
"Starving, the men emerge from the mountains near present-day Weippe, Idaho, at the villages of the Nez Perce Indians." -
Arrival at Columbia River
"The expedition reaches the Columbia River, the last waterway to the Pacific Ocean." -
Stop at Fort Clatsop
"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." -
Arrival in St. Louis
"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."
