Wounded Knee Massacre: A Dark Chapter in U.S. History

The Wounded Knee Massacre stands as one of the most tragic and defining moments in Native American history, symbolizing the violent suppression of Indigenous peoples by the U.S. government. It took place on December 29, 1890, near Wounded Knee Creek on the Lakota Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

The event unfolded during a time of intense tension between Native American tribes and the U.S. military. The Ghost Dance movement, a spiritual revival among Native Americans, had spread widely, giving hope of reclaiming their lands and way of life. However, U.S. authorities viewed the movement as a potential uprising and moved to suppress it.

On that fateful day, the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment surrounded a group of Lakota Sioux who had already surrendered. As soldiers attempted to disarm the group, a shot was fired — its origin remains disputed to this day. In response, the troops opened fire with rifles and Hotchkiss cannons, killing more than 250 Lakota men, women, and children, many of whom were unarmed. Around 25 U.S. soldiers also died, some likely from friendly fire in the chaos.

The massacre marked the end of the Indian Wars and symbolized the destruction of the Native American way of life. In the years that followed, the U.S. government awarded 20 Medals of Honor to soldiers involved, a decision still condemned as deeply unjust and offensive.

The Wounded Knee Massacre remains a wound in American history — a reminder of systemic oppression, broken treaties, and cultural erasure. Today, descendants of the Lakota people continue to fight for recognition, justice, and the return of sacred lands, ensuring that the memory of Wounded Knee is never forgotten.

Legacy:

In 1973, the site became a focal point again when the American Indian Movement (AIM) staged an armed occupation to protest government policies.

Wounded Knee is now a symbol of Native resistance, resilience, and the demand for accountability in U.S. history.