3. The Trail of Tears (1838-1839)
The Trail of Tears marks one of the darkest chapters in American history. Over 16,000 Cherokee people were brutally uprooted by the U.S. government and forced to march 1,200 miles to unfamiliar territory. Enduring disease, starvation, and exposure, thousands lost their lives along the way. This tragic journey is remembered as a powerful symbol of suffering, injustice, and the devastating consequences of forced displacement. Smithsonian Magazine
