Crazy Horse was a Lakota leader of the Oglala Native American tribe in the 19th century. He and his men fought the United States federal government in several battles to prevent intrusion by white American settlers and preserve the Lakota people's traditional way of life.
Crazy Horse earned recognition in the battle of the Black Hills War and Fetterman Fight in 1876, where he successfully lured U.S. soldiers into an ambush. A decade later in 1876, Crazy Horse's victory over Lieutenant Colonel George Custer and his men in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, commonly referred as "Custer's Last Stand" became one of the pinnacle events for Crazy Horse's leadership skills that earned him great respect among the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes.
On January 8, 1877, the battle with United States General Miles and his men in Montana became his last battle. Outnumbered and outgunned, Crazy Horse fought until they were reduced to fighting with only their bows and arrows. Under the cover of a heavy blizzard, they managed to escape the military onslaught.
Today, Crazy Horse is being remembered with a mountain carving monument in Custer County, South Dakota. The construction of the monument has been in progress since 1948. If you're planning to visit or contribute, check out Crazy Horse Memorial website.