- First expedition ever financed by
the U.S. Congress, $2500
- Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809) and William Clark
(1770 1838) were the leaders of the expedition.
- Sacagawea, a Native American
woman, served as a guide and interpreter for Lewis and Clark in 1805
and 1806.
- 200 years ago President Thomas Jefferson appointed Lewis
and Clark to lead an expedition to explore the Louisiana Purchase and
find a
route to
the west coast.
- Lewis and Clark were instructed to keep a journal
of everything they experienced, including weather, animals, soil, and
vegetation.
- Lewis saw the first glimpse of the Rocky Mountains on May
26, 1805.
- First bison killed for food west of the Mississippi River,
August 23, 1804.
- First hug given by an Indian to an American, Aug,
13, 1805, between Chief Cameahwait of Shoshonis to Captain Lewis.
- First
prairie dogs seen, called barking squirrel by Lewis and Clark.
- First
election held west of the Mississippi River, Aug. 23, 1804, by Pvt.
Joseph Field.
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