Posted
on June 16, 2015
Most
of us have heard of Geronimo, and we know that he was a Native
American. But most of us don't know much more than that...
Like,
for example: Geronimo was a name given to today's birthday honoree by
Mexican soldiers. His Chiricahua name, Goyathlay, means “the one
who yawns.”
Born
on this date in 1829, Geronimo was an important leader of the
Chiricahua (Bedonkohe) Apache Indians. He fought back when Mexico and
Arizona tried to expand into Apache tribal lands. He fought back when
Mexicans attacked his tribe and killed his family. He finally
surrendered to Arizona “authorities” and ended up becoming a
celebrity who rode in President Theodore Roosevelt's inaugural parade
and appeared at the St. Louis World's Fair.
In
1905, Geronimo agreed to tell his life story to a man named S. W.
Barrett. Apparently, Geronimo told his story exactly as he wished; he
refused to answer any of Barrett's questions or to veer from his own
storyline. Barrett had to get permission from President Roosevelt in
order to publish the book!
Geronimo
has been honored – for example, three towns in the U.S. are named
after him, and a 1994 stamp was issued with his face and name. He has
been misrepresented – in movies and books and TV shows. His name
has been used and misused. U.S. paratroopers traditionally shout
“Geronimo” as they jump out of airplanes, as a rallying cry to
express “I'm not afraid!” Actually, the tradition of yelling
“Geronimo!” before doing ANY courageous act is what the Sheppard
song “Geronimo” refers to. The 2011 U.S. military raid that
killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden had the code-name “Geronimo”;
when Geronimo's great-grandson complained about that, the operation
was apparently renamed “Operation Neptune's Spear.”
By
the way, the spot where Geronimo was born was located in Mexico, in
1829, but is now in Arizona, United States. I love – love -love
Chiricahua National Monument, which probably is located in or near
the Chiricahua Apaches' traditional lands.
Check
out the We Shall Remain episode on Geronimo, or The Real Wild West episode on this leader.
Also
on this date:
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ahead:
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