What historical event is known as the "Trail of Tears"?

The historical event known as the "Trail of Tears" refers specifically to the forced removal of the Cherokee people from their ancestral homelands in the southeastern United States to designated Indian Territory, which is present-day Oklahoma. This tragic event occurred during the 1830s, primarily as a result of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, signed into law by President Andrew Jackson.

The term "Trail of Tears" embodies the devastating impact of this relocation, as thousands of Cherokee suffered from exposure, disease, and starvation along the treacherous journey. It is estimated that approximately one-fourth of the Cherokee population perished during this enforced migration. The event symbolizes the broader policies of the U.S. government towards Native Americans during this period, characterized by displacement and hardship.