Geronimo

Geronimo was an Apache leader and medicine man who resisted being pushed off his people’s tribal lands. He escaped from the US Army when it tried to stop him and was the last leader of his tribe to surrender.

Geronimo was born in modern-day Arizona on June 16, 1829, as a member of the Bedonkohes of the Apache Chiricahua tribe. He was named Goyahkla, meaning “one who yawns.” His father became sick and died when Geronimo was a little boy.

The Apaches were fighting many wars when Geronimo was a young man. They were at war with other tribes, the Mexicans in the South, and the US government in the North. A good hunter and leader, Geronimo had successfully led...