What year did the Trail of Tears occur, impacting the Cherokee people?

The Trail of Tears refers to the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation from their ancestral homelands in the southeastern United States to designated "Indian Territory," which is present-day Oklahoma. This tragic event primarily occurred in the late 1830s, specifically culminating in the year 1838. The U.S. government, motivated by a desire to expand and settle land in the Southeast, enacted the Indian Removal Act in 1830, which set the stage for this displacement.

During the forced march, thousands of Cherokee suffered from exposure, disease, starvation, and exhaustion, leading to the deaths of an estimated 4,000 individuals. The specific designation of 1838 is crucial as it marks the time when the majority of the removals took place, resulting in significant loss and trauma for the Cherokee people. This event is a poignant example of the conflicts between U.S. expansion and the rights of Native American nations, highlighting a dark chapter in American history.