American Experience

S21E07 We Shall Remain (3): Trail of Tears

The Cherokee referred to it as Nu-No-Du-Na-Tlo-Hi-Lu, meaning “The Trail Where They Cried.” On May 26, 1838, federal soldiers compelled thousands of Cherokee to abandon their homes in the Southeastern U.S., herding them toward Indian Territory in Eastern Oklahoma. Tragically, over 4,000 lost their lives due to disease and starvation during the arduous journey.