Little Big Horn

In an 1868 treaty, the U.S. government said the Black Hills area belonged to the Indians. The Black Hills had long been sacred to the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes.

In 1874, General George Custer violated the treaty by leading his troops into the Black Hills. On his return, Custer claimed the Black Hills were filled with gold. White settlers began pouring into the area. Despite the treaty, the army did little to stop them. Instead, it moved against the Indians who tried to stop the settlers.

The Sioux and the Cheyenne, traditionally enemies, decided it was time to join forces. They joined together under the leadership of Crazy Horse.

Custer, convinced that victory would be easy, took his men in search of the Indians. He found them at the Little Big Horn River in Montana, where they lay waiting for him in ambush. Yelling the war cry "It is a good day to die!" Crazy Horse charged. Within minutes, Custer and 250 of his men were dead.

Randee Falk: Spotlight on the USA; Oxford University Press, 1993, page 93 f.