Events with tag - Native American History

May 8, 1541

Discovery of Mississippi River

Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto became the first European to discover and document the Mississippi River, which he named 'Río del Espíritu Santo' (River of the Holy Spirit), marking a pivotal moment in North American exploration history.

May 8, 1541

Discovery of the Mississippi River

Hernando de Soto became the first European to officially document the discovery of the Mississippi River, leading to a series of explorations that established crucial trade routes and shaped North American development.

May 28, 1830

Indian Removal Act

The Indian Removal Act of 1830 was a devastating U.S. legislation that forced Native American tribes to leave their ancestral lands in the Southeast for territories west of the Mississippi River, resulting in thousands of deaths during the infamous Trail of Tears.

December 15, 1890

Death of Sitting Bull

Sitting Bull, legendary Hunkpapa Lakota chief and holy man, was killed during an arrest attempt at Standing Rock Indian Reservation. The confrontation resulted in his death and the deaths of several others, marking a significant moment in Native American history.

December 29, 1890

Wounded Knee Massacre

The Wounded Knee Massacre occurred on December 29, 1890, when U.S. Army troops opened fire on a Lakota camp near Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota, resulting in the deaths of 150-300 Native Americans, marking the tragic end of the American Indian Wars.

September 21, 2004

National Museum of the American Indian Opens

The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian opens its doors on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., marking the first national museum dedicated exclusively to Native Americans. The opening featured a six-day First Americans Festival with over 25,000 Native Americans from more than 500 tribes.

September 15, 2005

River Road National Scenic Byway Designation

The River Road National Scenic Byway, a historic 22-mile route along Michigan's Au Sable River, received National Scenic Byway status from the Federal Highway Administration, recognizing its archaeological, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic qualities.