The Lewis and Clark expedition begins

On May 14, 1804, the Lewis and Clark expedition began as William Clark departed from Camp Dubois in Illinois to join Meriwether Lewis in St. Charles, Missouri. Over the course of the next two and a half years, the men and their expedition would explore the newly obtained Louisiana Purchase, traveling 8,000+ miles to and from the Pacific Ocean. 🎄🏔🏞🌳

While on their journey, the Corps of Discovery documented 178 previously unknown plant species and 122 animals, including coyotes and grizzly bears. 🐺🐻🐺🐻

Did you know? You may know that the teenaged Sacagawea was crucial to the expedition as a pilot and interpreter, but did you know that she was also incredibly important to maintaining peace? The presence of a Native American woman with a young baby softened the image of the corps and helped calm tensions and prevent violence as the corps encountered roughly 50 Native American tribes.

Lewis and Clark Reach Shoshone Camp Led by Sacajawea, Charles Marion Russell, 1918