-
Lewis is born on a small farm in Abermale County (now Ivy), Virginia
-
He moved to Goergia and lived on a farm for most of his childhood. His patriotic step-father inspired him to want to serve America.
-
Lewis graduates from Liberty Hall with ambitions of going into government.
-
Lewis joins the Virginia militia.
-
Lewis is joins the U.S. Army and is a lieutenant until 1801. Among his officers is Clark.
-
He will oversee the peaceful transition in power of the vast Louisiana Territory and will send Lewis and Clark to explore the new west.
-
After Lewis accepts the offer, he writes in his journal that he feels this is the first step in a big adventure.
-
A large keelboat with multiple compartments is constructed for the expedition.
-
In the purchase, the U.S. acquired 828,000 square miles of France's claim to the territory of Louisiana in 1803. The U.S. paid 15 million dollars for the Louisiana territory.
-
Sets off from Camp Dubois, they travel in big keelboat (55 long, 8 feet wide, capable of carrying 10 tons of supplies) and two smaller boats canoes. They call their group the Corps of Discovery.
-
They fire a large cannon on the keelboat, and name the creek they are in, 'Independence Creek'
-
The Indians of the Teton Sioux demand a boat as toll for crossing the river, however their cheif, Cheif Black makes peace and lets them cross. This marks the first major Native American diplomacy after the Louisiana Purchase.
-
Lewis and Clark hire Toussaint Charbonneau as an interpreter of Hidasta language, his kidnapped Shoshone wife, Sacagawea helps them in navigations as well.
-
Fort Mandan was established accross a river and was named in honor of the nearby Indians who helped them survive in the new environment.
-
Many speciemns and observations are given to Thomas Jefferson, and a vast knowledge of the West is released
-
The Corps of Discovery befriend the Nez Perce Indians, and their cheif, Twisted Root, shows them how new strategies to build boats, and how oto capture food.
-
The Corps of Discovery reach Gray's Bay, and they fullfilled their mission.
-
The captains meet Blackfeet soldiers, and camp together with them. However, the soldiers attemopt to steal provisions and a fight occurs. Two Blackffet soldiers die, and it was the only bloodshed in the expedition.
-
They are reigned as national heroes and receive douple pay 320 acres of land, and lewis and Clark recieve 1600 acres of land as well, Lewis is made governeor of the Louisiana Purchase.
-
Louis and Clark return to St. Louis and are reigned as national heroes.
-
Lewis commits suicide for causes still unknown. It is speculated that he was murdered but very few historians support the theory.
-
Paul Allen is mailed an astounding 2 volume biography on Lewis and it is published in 1814.
