On December 29, 1890, the rolling plains near Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota became the setting for one of the most tragic moments in American history. A group of Lakota Sioux, many traveling with families and belongings, had been stopped by the U.S. 7th Cavalry. What began as a tense attempt to disarm the camp ended in chaos and gunfire.

Within hours, more than 250 Lakota men, women, and children were dead. The incident, later known as the Wounded Knee Massacre, marked the violent closing chapter of the Indian Wars. The Ghost Dance movement, which promised renewal and the return of lost lands, had stirred fear among federal authorities, but it was never meant to provoke bloodshed.

In the years since, Wounded Knee has come to symbolize both profound loss and enduring memory. Today, it is remembered not only as a site of tragedy, but as a reminder of voices silenced, and the responsibility of history to listen carefully when they speak again.

Thanks for reading,

The TTC Team

P.S. Email is like hunting buried treasure sometimes. So, please check your junk or promotions folder if this newsletter ever goes missing… and move it to your primary inbox. Feel free to forward Today’s Time Capsule to another history fan.