Timeline Description: Playing a vital role as the only woman travelling with Lewis and Clark, Sacajawea was a guide, interpreter, and explorer. Today, she is a symbol of women's independence.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 28, 1784 | Sacajawea was born Born into the Agaidiku tribe of Lemhi Shoshone, presently Idaho, Sacajawea was born to the chief and his wife. |
| 1800 | Sacajawea was captured(c. 1800) Although not much is known of her life, Sacajawea was abducted by Hidatsa Indians around the age of twelve. She was taken during battle and sold to French-Canadian trapper Charbonneau. He made her one of his wives and they lived with the Mandan Indians in present day North Dakota. |
| November, 1804 | Lewis and Clark's expedition came into the area When Lewis and Clark were exploring their newly acquired western territory, they met Charbonneau at Fort Mandan and hired him as their interpreter. Sacajawea was pregnant with her first child, but was forced to travel with them. |
| February 11, 1805 | Jean Baptiste Charbonneau was born Sacajawea gave birth to a baby boy only a few months before the expedition group was set to leave Fort Mandan. |
| May 14, 1805 | The expedition commenced Sacajawea and her husband joined the expedition as it left Fort Mandan. The group took small boats, called pirogues, up the Missouri River. When one of them capsized, Sacajawea rescued the journals of Lewis and Clark. The commanders honored her by naming the river The Sacajawea River. |
| June 11, 1805 | Sacajawea became ill During the expedition, Sacagawea became ill with an infection that caused her to have a very high fever. Clark helped her by giving her fluids and saved her life. |
| August 8, 1805 | Beaverhead rock It was recorded that Sacajawea recognized a familiar rock on the expedition. The headwaters of the Missouri river, Beaverhead rock, and the home of her Shoshone tribe was marked and they ventured in to ask for help. |
| August 17, 1805 | Sacajawea met her long lost brother When the expedition met up with a Shoshone tribe to negotiate for horses to cross the mountains, Sacajawea discovered that the chief, Cameahwait, was her brother. The expedition named the meeting place Camp Fortune. |
| September 22, 1805 | The expedition crossed the Rocky Mountains The harsh weather of the Rockies made it difficult for the expedition to survive. Cold ground and temperatures caused a lack of food, forcing the tribe to eat candles made of tallow. After nearly starving, the expedition crossed the mountains with the help of Sacajawea's brother, 29 horses, and a mule. |
| November 24, 1805 | The expedition made their winter camp After spotting Mt. Hood, Sacajawea suggested that the group cross to the south side of the Columbia River. There, they set up their winter camp. |
| August 14, 1806 | The expedition was completed Returning to Mandan village, the group parted ways. Sacajawea, Charbonneau, and Jean Baptist stayed and Lewis and Clark left for home. |
| 1809 | Sacajawea moved to St. Louis William Clark invited Sacajawea to move to St. Louis, Missouri. There, she was able to raise her daughter while William Clark enrolled her son in the Saint Louis Academy. |
| 1810 | Sacajawea had her daughter(c. 1810) Sometime after 1810, Sacajawea gave birth to her second child. Daughter Lizette was known as "Spirit Wind Walker." |
| August 14, 1812 | Sacajawea died It was assumed that Sacajawea passed away around the age of 25. Presumably, her death was due to fever complication. |
| 2000 | Sacajawea was on a U.S. coin Sacajawea had a coin issued in her honor. Her tribute was placed on a coin by the U.S. Mint. |