On This Day, February 11, 1805, Sacagawea, the Shoshone interpreter and guide for the Lewis and Clark expedition, gave birth to her first child, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. Sacagawea’s contributions to the expedition were invaluable, not only for her linguistic skills but also for her knowledge of the geography which greatly aided the expedition’s success. The birth of her son, whom the expedition members nicknamed “Pomp” or “Pompy,” added a new dimension to the journey, symbolizing hope and new beginnings.
The presence of Sacagawea and her newborn son with the expedition is often cited as a factor that helped the group in negotiations with Native American tribes, who saw the presence of a woman and a child as a sign of peace. Sacagawea’s role and her journey with the Lewis and Clark expedition have made her a legendary figure in American history, celebrated for her contributions to the exploration and understanding of the American frontier.
