Sand Creek Massacre

What led approximately 600-plus volunteer soldiers to attack a peaceful settlement of Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians in the Southeastern Colorado Territory? On November 29, 1864, Colonel John Chivington led an unprovoked attack that resulted in the deaths of more than 150 women, children and the elderly. SAND CREEK MASSACRE revisits the horrific acts of that day and uncovers the history 150 years later. The hour-long program gives insight into the history and describes in detail the actions and the events - the discovery of gold in the west, the push for Colorado statehood by Governor John Evans, and the belief in manifest destiny - that led to this infamous massacre. The documentary provides an in-depth look at the story's real-life villains and heroes through moving oral histories shared by 22 Sand Creek descendants, an interview with David. F. Halass, PhD, a Northern Cheyenne Consultant and Colorado Chief Historian and archival photos and letters.

Duration: 56 minutes and 46 seconds

Episode Number: 0


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