This Week in HistoryThis Week in History: Week 52 (29 December 1890)

US Troops Kill 150 Native Americans

At least 150 Native American men, women and children are shot dead at Wounded Knee Creek.

In 1890, a US army commanding officer, Colonel James Forsyth, ordered his troops to shoot Native American men, women and children at Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota. At least 150 people were killed and another 50 wounded. Colonel Forsyth was charged with "killing the innocents" but was never punished for his actions.

troops (noun): soldiers and other armed forces
army commanding officer (noun): the person who is in charge of a specific military unit
wounded (adjective): hurt but not killed
charge (verb): accuse someone of a crime
innocents (noun): civilians who do not have weapons and are not directly involved in the battle

Mass burial after Wounded Knee Massacre
Mass burial of the dead following the Wounded Knee massacre.

Mini Quiz

1. US troops killed over 150 Native American men, women and children at Wounded Knee by
a) chopping them with axes
b) beating them with baseball bats
c) shooting them with rifles

Show answer

c

2. The US commanding officer who ordered the massacre at Wounded Knee was eventually charged with "killing the innocents" and
a) executed for murder
b) imprisoned for life
c) allowed to go free

Show answer

c

3. Which phrase in modern English means the same as the 19th century phrase "killing the innocents"?
a) killing unarmed civilians
b) killing armed terrorists
c) killing inexperienced soldiers

Show answer

a

Matt Errey Contributor: Matt Errey. Matt is the author of several books including 1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context and Common English Idioms for learners, and Matt's ESL Games and Quizzes for teachers.