Today in History: Meriwether Lewis (& William Clark)
Today in History–August 18–the Library of Congress features explorer Meriwether Lewis, born on this day in 1774. Together with William Clark, Lewis set out on May 14, 1804 at the behest of President Thomas Jefferson to look for a Northwest Passage, or water route to the Pacific Ocean. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access resources related to these explorers and their journey known as the Corps of Discovery.
Rivers, Edens, Empires: Lewis & Clark and the Revealing of America (online exhibition)
Thomas Jefferson: the West (online exhibition)
The Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition primary source set with teacher’s guide
Lewis & Clark Journey Journal (2 volumes)
Lewis & Clark Historic Trail maps
Meriwether Lewis primary source set (images, letters, maps)
Meriwether Lewis historical newspaper coverage
William Clark primary source set (images, letters)
Lewis & Clark stories (America’s Library)
Teaching resources
- Guided primary source analysis: Lewis & Clark compass and magnet
- The Lewis and Clark Expedition through Primary Sources Captain Library blog post by Tom Bober
- Learning from the Source: Primary Source Trail of Western Migration
Related resources