On Nov. 15, 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition reached the Pacific Ocean. Among many of the important tasks of the journey was to map the little known areas of the interior of the United States. This site from the Smithsonian Institution offers primary sources that relate to this task, including an 1803 map of Nicholas King, Jefferson’s instructions to Meriwether Lewis, and the results of the careful cartography done by William Clark. There are several sections to this site with many suggested student activities. Celebrate the Corps of Discovery by exploring the information they garnered and mapped out. Compare the pre- and post-expedition maps to see how much knowledge about the United States was increased by the exploits of these brave men.
courtesy of Knovation
