June 25

1868  President Andrew Johnson approved the act of Congress providing for the organization of a temporary government for the Territory of Wyoming.

1870  The first lots went on sale at the site of Evanston.  Attribution:  On This Day..

1876  The legendary Battle of the Little Big Horn occurs in south eastern Montana. On this date, in 1876, a large combined group of Cheyennes, Sioux, Arapaho and maybe even a few Metis, defeated an assault by the 7th Cavalry in southern Montana, resulting in the complete elimination of one prong of a split assault, and the retreat and desperate defense by two other elements of the command. The 7th's effort was part of a summer 1876 campaign on the northern plains, which had seen a the defeat of a combined unit of elements of the 2d & 3d Cavalry, 4th and 9th Infantry, and Crow and Shoshone scouts in southern Montana several days earlier. Both Plains Indians victories marked the high water mark, and the rapidly receding tide, of Indian power on the northern plains.

Little Big Horn is by far the most famous of American Indian battles, and almost defines them for the average person. It remains one of the most written about of all American historical events. It was a huge shock to the American psyche at the time, and resulted in the Army being expanded by 2,500 men for Plains service.

In terms of actual casualties, the 7th suffered about 52 percent casualties of the force that was deployed, in a battle that saw fighting at widely separated points, several miles distant, including 16 officers and 242 enlisted men killed. One officer and 51 enlisted men survived the battles with wounds. The battle is mostly remembered due to the fact that the every man in Custer's immediate command was killed, which makes up the bulk of the casualties. This may be a bit unfair, as it somewhat discounts the effective defense put up by Reno and Benteen's men in a separate location.

Of interest, 22% of the 7th Cavalry was detached prior to the expedition on other duties, a fairly common occurrence. 166 men and officers therefore were not present on the campaign, and missed the battle.

Some may wonder why I have included this even in a Wyoming daily history blog, as I included an item about Colorado's Sand Creek Massacre yesterday, but these are all regional events, which had an enormous impact on Wyoming at the time.  For the Indians in particular, the territorial borders did not exist.

1894  The first recorded earthquake in Wyoming, which occurred near Casper. The quake was violent enough to toss dishes, and even a few sleeping people, to the ground, and muddy the Platte.

1916   The Sunday State Leader for June 25, 1916: The prisoners of Carrizal
 

More news of the defeat at Carrizal, but happy news for Miss Ellen Smith.

The war in Europe was pushed completely off of the front page of this Sunday morning Cheyenne paper due to events in Mexico.

1919  June 25, 1919. The 148th In Cheyenne

The men of the 148th who remained in the service, as some had already been discharged on the East Coast, returned to Cheyenne to a rousing welcome.

In far off Russia, American solders were in action against the Reds.  At Romanovka American troops were ambushed but repelled a Red advance.

In New Jersey, the American Library Association was meeting.

American Library Association, Ashbury Park, New Jersey

The Presidio and Ft. Winfield Scott, San Francisco.

1923  Monday, June 25, 1923. Harding comes to Cheyenne and Laramie. The Ku Klux Klan came to Glenrock

The Tribune headlined with an auto accident that occurred in connection with Hardin's visit to Denver the day prior.

In Laramie, it was noted, but the focus was on his visit that would occur today.

He was stopped by Cheyenne as well, where the city gave him a cowboy hat, and he delivered a speech on the coal situation.

Glenrock had a different type of visitor:

The size of the demonstration is surprising.  I was not small.

The paper was silent on the lawlessness that concerned the Klan, but it was likely violations of Prohibition.  The KKK was a supporter of Prohibition.

1933 The Fort Bridger Historic Site dedicated.  Attribution:  Wyoming State Historical Society.

1950  North Korea invades South Korea, an action which would result in the mobilization of Wyoming Army National Guard's 300th Armored Field Artillery.