Lewis and Clark Expedition was a U.S. military expedition, led by Captain Meriwether Lewis and Lieutenant William Clark, to explore the Louisiana Purchase and the Pacific Northwest. The expedition was a major chapter in the history of American exploration.

On January 18, 1803, U.S. Pres. Thomas Jefferson sent a secret message to Congress asking for $2,500 to send an officer and a dozen soldiers to explore the Missouri River, make diplomatic contact with Indians, expand the American fur trade, and locate the Northwest Passage (the much-sought-after hypothetical northwestern water route to the Pacific Ocean). The proposed trip took on added significance on May 2, when the United States agreed to the Louisiana Purchase:  Napoleon’s sale of 828,000 square miles (2,100,000 square km) of French territory for $27 million.

U.S. President Thomas Jefferson asked his personal secretary, Meriwether Lewis, to lead the expedition to explore the Louisiana Purchase and the Pacific Northwest. As his co-commander, Lewis selected William Clark, who had been his military superior during the government’s battles with the Northwest Indian Federation in the early 1790s.

President Jefferson had instructed Lewis to make observations of latitude and longitude and to take detailed notes.  Their meticulous documentation of flora, fauna, and native tribes provided invaluable information about the western frontier.  Another primary objective involved diplomacy with Native Americans. A Shoshone woman by the name of Sacagawea traveled thousands of wilderness miles with the Lewis and Clark Expedition and served as interpreter.

Lewis and Clark’s leadership and courage during their expedition established them as national heroes. Their ability to navigate and survive in hostile environments, adapt to new challenges, and foster diplomatic relations showcased their resilience and resourcefulness. The Lewis and Clark Expedition remains an enduring symbol of American exploration and the spirit of adventure that has shaped the nation’s history.