Why the Lewis and Clark Expedition Deserves a National Holiday
The case for why the Lewis and Clark Expedition deserves much more national respect and credit.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition is one of the most remarkable journeys in American history — yet it’s wildly under-celebrated. Despite shaping the future of the United States, advancing science, and building peaceful Native American relations, it rarely gets the national recognition it deserves.
We have a national holiday for Christopher Columbus — a guy whose legacy is… well, complicated, to put it mildly. Yet Lewis and Clark, who led one of the most impressive feats of exploration, diplomacy, and discovery, are often relegated to a few textbook pages or background in documentaries.
Let’s break down what these explorers actually did — and why it deserves more national recognition.
The Thrill — and Reality — of What They Overcame
Imagine being told to take a group of around 50 men and travel thousands of miles into the complete unknown. No GPS. No roads. No real maps. Just a direction and a mission: explore the Louisiana Purchase, find a water route to the Pacific, and do it all while staying alive and documenting everything you see.
The Corps of Discovery braved freezing winters, scorching summers, the Rocky Mountains, wild rivers, and disease. And yet — they lost only one person. One! Sergeant Charles Floyd, who died of what was likely appendicitis, early on. That’s unreal for a 2+ year expedition in the early 1800s. It’s a testament to the planning, leadership, and unity of the team.
Sacajawea’s Role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Now let’s talk about Sacajawea — a teenage Shoshone woman, carrying a newborn baby, helping navigate some of the roughest terrain in North America. She wasn’t just along for the ride. She was a translator, a guide, a peacemaker, and a literal life-saver.
Her presence alone likely prevented conflict multiple times, especially when the Corps encountered Native American tribes who might have otherwise seen the expedition as a threat. A woman with a child signaled peace — not war.
Even more remarkable? Lewis and Clark respected her. They listened to her input. They held her insights in high regard — something almost unheard of for women, especially Native women, at that time.
How the Corps of Discovery Functioned as a Team
This wasn’t just a group of explorers — it was an exceptionally disciplined and diverse team. The Corps of Discovery included hunters, boatmen, blacksmiths, interpreters, and scientists. They even practiced democracy on the trail, holding votes where both Sacajawea and Clark’s enslaved servant, York, were given a voice — a radical act for the time.
They weren’t just surviving; they were thriving. They worked together, took meticulous notes, and brought back a level of documentation that changed how Americans saw the western frontier.
Peaceful Native American Relations During the Expedition
In an era where “exploration” usually meant conquest, the Lewis and Clark Expedition stands out for its peaceful approach. They didn’t come in with muskets blazing. Instead, they brought peace medals, gifts, and a genuine curiosity to learn about the cultures they encountered.
The expedition met with over 50 Native American tribes. Were there cultural misunderstandings? Absolutely. But compared to the colonial violence seen elsewhere, Lewis and Clark’s approach was shockingly respectful and, in many cases, collaborative.
Advancing Science in Early America
This wasn’t just a cool camping trip through uncharted lands. The expedition was a scientific goldmine. The team recorded over 100 animal species and nearly 200 plant species unknown to European-Americans at the time. They mapped terrain. They documented weather patterns. They studied geology, botany, zoology, and medicine.
Jefferson’s vision wasn’t just to expand land — it was to expand knowledge. And the Corps delivered on that in a major way.
A Lasting Impact on American Exploration and Identity
The Lewis and Clark Expedition wasn’t just a successful mission — it set the tone for how Americans would come to view the West. It proved the continent could be crossed. That it could be understood. That the U.S. had the potential to be more than just colonies on the Atlantic coast.
Their discoveries influenced trade routes, informed future settlers, and lit a fire in the national imagination about the possibilities of the West.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Final Thoughts
The Lewis and Clark Expedition should be more than a historical footnote — it should be celebrated, studied, and remembered as one of the most human and visionary achievements in American history. They traveled with honor, explored with humility, and led with courage.
If you believe this expedition deserves more national recognition, share this article or leave a comment below. Let’s start giving credit where it’s long overdue.