Battle of Little Bighorn

Definition

The Battle of Little Bighorn was an armed engagement between combined forces of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes against the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army in 1876. It is notable for being a significant victory for Native Americans.

Analogy

Imagine if your school's basketball team (the underdogs) unexpectedly beat a nationally ranked team. That's similar to what happened at Little Bighorn - it was an unexpected victory for Native American tribes over U.S. forces.

Related terms

George Armstrong Custer: A United States Army officer who is best known for his role in leading his troops into disaster at the Battle of Little Bighorn.

7th Cavalry Regiment: A unit within U.S. army which played major role in the Battle of Little Bighorn.

Lakota Tribe: A Native American tribe that was part of the confederation of Sioux tribes and played a significant role in the Battle of Little Bighorn.