* Meriwether Lewis was born on August 18, 1774, in Albemarle County, Virginia. He was the son of William Lewis, a prominent Virginia planter, and Lucy Meriwether Lewis.
* William Clark was born on August 1, 1770, in Caroline County, Virginia. He was the son of John Clark, a farmer and surveyor, and Ann Rogers Clark.
* Lewis and Clark first met in 1794 when Lewis was assigned to the First United States Infantry Regiment, which was commanded by Clark's older brother, George Rogers Clark. The two men quickly became friends and eventually became roommates.
* In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson appointed Lewis and Clark to lead an expedition to explore the Louisiana Territory, which the United States had recently purchased from France. The expedition lasted for over two years and covered more than 8,000 miles.
* During their expedition, Lewis and Clark encountered a variety of Native American tribes, including the Sioux, the Shoshone, and the Nez Perce. They also encountered a number of natural wonders, including the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Tetons, and the Columbia River.
* Lewis and Clark returned to St. Louis, Missouri, in September 1806. They were hailed as heroes and were awarded the rank of colonel.
* Lewis was appointed governor of the Louisiana Territory in 1807. He served in this position until his death in 1809.
* Clark was appointed superintendent of Indian affairs for the Louisiana Territory in 1807. He served in this position until his death in 1838.
Lewis and Clark's expedition was a major success and helped to open up the American West to exploration and settlement. They are remembered as two of the most important explorers in American history.