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This Week in HistoryThis Week in History: Week 26 (25 June 1876)

US Army Defeated At Little Big Horn

US General George Custer and all of his men are killed after attacking Native Americans.

In 1876, US General George Custer led an attack by the 7th Regiment of the US Cavalry against a gathering of Native Americans on the banks of the Little Big Horn River in Southern Montana. The now-legendary Native American Chief Crazy Horse led his own warriors in a counter-attack in which Custer and all of the 197 troops under his command were killed. This remains the greatest victory by Native Americans against what they saw as the invading forces of the US army.

Native Americans (noun): the first people to live in North America (before Europeans arrived)
regiment (noun): an army unit from a few hundred to a few thousand men
bank (noun): the edge of a river where it meets land
counter-attack (noun): an act of fighting back
victory (noun): a successful defeat over another; a win
invade (verb): enter an area forcefully

Chief Crazy Horse and General Custer
Chief Crazy Horse defeats General Custer at the legendary battle of the Little Big Horn.

Mini Quiz

1. The leader of the Native American warriors was
a) Little Big Horn
b) George Custer
c) Crazy Horse

Show answer

c

2. The Native Americans killed the American soldiers because
a) they wanted to overthrow the government
b) they wanted to steal guns and horses
c) the soldiers had attacked them

Show answer

c

3. A military force will mount a counter-attack
a) after being attacked by an enemy
b) before being attacked by an enemy
c) while attacking an enemy

Show answer

a

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Contributor: Matt Errey. Matt is the author of several books including 1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context and Common English Idioms for learners, and Matt's ESL Games and Quizzes for teachers.