In 1838, U.S. Army troops rounded up some 15,000 Cherokee Indians, forced them off their land in Georgia, and droe them more than 1,500 miles westward to present-day Oklahoma. There were few wagons or carts. For months, most of the Cherokees walked day after day. They had little food and no shelter through autumn rains and winter storms. The terrible journey became known as "The Trail of Tears."

Why were the Indians driven across the country? Because settlers wanted their land. In 1836, President Andrew Jackson ordered that the Cherokee Nation be moved west, by force if necessary. But the Cherokees were prosperous farmers and they loed their lands in Georgia. They pleaded for compassion. "On your kindness. . .we rest our hopes," they wrote to Congress.

But it was no use. The army took charge and rounded up the Cherokees. As many as 4,000 died on the trip.
 

In the words of one surior, "Long time we travel on way to new land. . . Many days pass and people die ery much. We bury close by trail." Understandably, Natie Americans have never forgotten this sad chapter in their history.

Georgia
 

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