What happened at wounded knee?

800px-The_opening_of_the_fight_at_Wounded_Knee_by_Frederic_Remington_1891

Since the battle at Little Bighorn, tensions had been steadily rising between the American Indians and US troops. The US troops were especially unnerved by a new mysticism that had spread amongst the Lakota people involving dances, trances and mass frenzy. On 29 December 1890 US troops attempted to disarm a group of Lakota people at the reservation at Wounded Knee, but a scuffle where a deaf native was unwilling to give up his rifle caused a shot to be fired. The US Cavalry then opened fire, shooting the crowd indiscriminately. This resulted in the death of at least 150 Lakota men, women and children, and the wounding of 50 more. US troops also suffered 25 casualties, mainly due to friendly fire.

Known as the Wounded Knee Massacre. It was the last major conflict between the Native Americans and US troops and thought to have been a major contributor to the depletion of the Native American population and culture.