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Today in History: Sitting Bull killed by police on reservation

12/15/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On December 15, 1890, Sitting Bull, the Hunkpapa Lakota leader, was killed by U.S. Indian agency police on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. Authorities feared he would join the Ghost Dance movement, prompting the attempt to arrest him. His death marked a significant moment in the resistance against U.S. government policies toward Native Americans.

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Story summary

On December 15, 1890, Sitting Bull, the Hunkpapa Lakota leader, was killed by U.S. Indian agency police on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. Authorities feared he would join the Ghost Dance movement, prompting the attempt to arrest him. His death marked a significant moment in the resistance against U.S. government policies toward Native Americans.