On December 20, every year, Sacagawea day is celebrated in honor of Sacagawea (also spelled Sakakawea or Saccajawea). In addition to being the daughter of a Shoshone chief, Sacagawea was a member of the Lemhi tribe of the Shoshone tribe. As an interpreter for an expedition exploring Louisiana Territory at 16, Sacagawea exhibited courage. As early as the early twentieth century, the National American Woman Suffrage Association adopted Sacagawea as a symbol of women’s worth and independence, erecting several statues and plaques in her memory.
SACAGAWEA DAY HISTORY
Sacagawea was born in the Lemhi Valley, near the Salmon River and the Rocky Mountains, in May 1788. She was kidnapped by the Hidatsa tribe, enemies of the Shoshones, at the age of 12. Upon becoming the property of Toussaint Charbonneau in 1804, Sacagawea became one of his wives. Some believe that the name ‘Sacagawea’ is of Hidatsa origin, meaning ‘bird woman’, while others believe that it is of Shoshone origin, meaning ‘boat pusher’.
After purchasing 828,000 square miles of almost completely unexplored territory from France, President Thomas Jefferson sanctioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to lead the Lewis and Clark expedition. Charbonneau and Sacagawea provided a language bridge between English, French, Hidatsa, and Shoshone, which was crucial. Their journeys with the Corps of Discovery included the northern plains, the Rocky Mountains, as well as the Pacific Ocean. When Sacagawea left with her two-month-old son, Jean Baptiste, she was just 16 years old and the only woman on the expedition.
Today, she is celebrated for her numerous contributions to the expedition, including her knowledge of some terrain, identifying edible plants, and her ability to calmly deal with strangers, among a host of other things. At the age of 24, she died of Putrid fever at Fort Manuel in what is now Kennel, South Dakota. Some claim that she lived for a much longer period of time.
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Sacagawea’s Life
Sacagawea was born into the Lemhi Shoshone tribe in 1788, in what is now Idaho. A Hidatsa raiding party kidnapped her when she was around 12 years old, and they took her to modern-day North Dakota. There, she was sold into marriage to a French-Canadian trapper named Toussaint Charbonneau.
In 1804, Charbonneau and Sacagawea joined the Lewis and Clark expedition as it made its way westward across the continent. Sacagawea proved to be an invaluable member of the team, acting as both a translator and a guide.
In 1806, the expedition reached the Pacific Ocean. The following year, Sacagawea gave birth to a son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. The family settled in St. Louis, Missouri, where Sacagawea died in 1812 at the age of 24.
Sacagawea’s Legacy
Sacagawea was an important figure in American history for her role in the Lewis and Clark expedition and her representation of Native Americans. She has become a symbol of strength and resilience, and her story is an important part of American history. Today, we celebrate Sacagawea Day to honor her legacy.
The Significance of Sacagawea Day
Sacagawea Day celebrates Sacagawea’s contribution to the Lewis and Clark Expedition since the early 1900s. The day is observed on December 20, which marks the anniversary of her death.
Sacagawea was an invaluable expedition member, acting as a translator and mediator between the Native American tribes and the explorers. She also helped the expedition navigate through unfamiliar terrain and provided critical assistance during difficult times.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition would not have been successful without Sacagawea’s help, and her contributions continue to be recognized and celebrated today.
How to Celebrate Sacagawea Day
In 1804 she served as an interpreter and guide for the Lewis and Clark Expedition as Sacagawea, Sakakawea, and Sacajawea.
United States Mint has produced five different Sacagawea dollar designs since 2000 to commemorate her contributions.
The easiest way to celebrate Sacagawea Day is to purchase one of these dollar coins. Sacagawea dollars can also be used to teach children about Native American culture or early American history. Add a Sacagawea dollar to your collection if you have one.
The most popular way to celebrate Sacagawea Day is to learn more about her life. You can read books about her or watch documentaries.
SACAGAWEA DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | December 20 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | December 20 | Friday |
| 2025 | December 20 | Saturday |
| 2026 | December 20 | Sunday |
| 2027 | December 20 | Monday |
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