Actually, the largest mass hanging in US history took place in 1862, at Mankato, Minnesota. There were 38 innocent men that were hung plus 2 more innocent men a couple days later. Alexander Ramsey, the governor of Minnesota at that time, called for the extermination of the Dakota people or that they be driven forever beyond the borders of Minnesota. There is an annual memorial horse ride that ends at the hanging site to commemorate the memory of those innocent men. They are the relatives of my Lakota people.
Thank you so much for sharing this history. I really appreciate you bringing attention to the Mankato mass execution because it’s such an important and often-overlooked atrocity. I’ve known about this for a while and absolutely plan to cover it in my work—it’s a story that more people need to hear. The fact that 38 Dakota men were hanged in a government-sanctioned execution—along with two more days later—is horrifying, and you’re absolutely right to highlight the role of Governor Ramsey in calling for the extermination of the Dakota people. That kind of explicit genocidal policy needs to be remembered, and I’m really grateful that you also mentioned the annual memorial horse ride. The way the Dakota and Lakota communities continue to honor them is so powerful.
That being said, I want to clarify that my original post referred to the Chinese Massacre of 1871 as one of the largest mass lynchings in American history, not the largest. Lynching is typically understood as extrajudicial mob violence, while what happened in Mankato is *usually* referred to as a state execution. In some ways, that makes it even worse—because instead of an out-of-control mob, this was a calculated, legally sanctioned act of racial violence, carried out with full government approval. Lincoln is still widely praised for 'pardoning' some of the original 303 condemned, while the fact that he still approved the executions of 38 Dakota men is rarely talked about. That silence is part of the problem, and I’m really grateful to you for bringing it into the conversation.
Thank you again for sharing this and for keeping the memory of the Dakota 38 alive. I will absolutely be covering this in my work, and I really appreciate the opportunity to highlight this history.
Thank you so much for your grace and for your beautiful recap. Looking forward to your piece that will be covering more of this story, as well as every piece of important history that you share.
OH My God! I literally screamed out loud reading this:
"the Border Patrol made Mexicans shower in gasoline baths, later inspiring the Nazi’s gas chambers"
my mother's and father's parents lost most of their family in WW2 so this information feels like I I suddenly had a bucket of cold water poured over my head
Thank you so much for everything you share! You are offering a priceless gift by spreading so much important information that was hidden for so long. Wishing you continued success in your incredibly important endeavour
Wow. Thank you so much for sharing that. I can’t imagine how deeply personal and chilling this must have felt for you. History has so many painful and shocking connections, and I feel honored to help shed light on them. Sending you and your family so much love and strength. Your words mean the world to me—truly. I’ll keep doing my best to bring these hidden stories to light.
My goodness your compassion is sending chills through my body 💗🙏 you are a rare diamond in this superficial world that we live in, i wish to learn from you how to spread love and light for REAL (the performative one makes me feel like puking 🤮 but) you REALLY have a grace and generosity that is not easy to find. Thank you for making my day! 😭❤️
Burying our history is a mistake. We cannot learn if we bury that of which we are ashamed. (Let’s hope we are ashamed of these actions!) We are not responsible for the terrible deeds of other people, but we are responsible to learn and to grow from those mistakes, which we cannot do if those events are buried away
Actually, the largest mass hanging in US history took place in 1862, at Mankato, Minnesota. There were 38 innocent men that were hung plus 2 more innocent men a couple days later. Alexander Ramsey, the governor of Minnesota at that time, called for the extermination of the Dakota people or that they be driven forever beyond the borders of Minnesota. There is an annual memorial horse ride that ends at the hanging site to commemorate the memory of those innocent men. They are the relatives of my Lakota people.
Thank you so much for sharing this history. I really appreciate you bringing attention to the Mankato mass execution because it’s such an important and often-overlooked atrocity. I’ve known about this for a while and absolutely plan to cover it in my work—it’s a story that more people need to hear. The fact that 38 Dakota men were hanged in a government-sanctioned execution—along with two more days later—is horrifying, and you’re absolutely right to highlight the role of Governor Ramsey in calling for the extermination of the Dakota people. That kind of explicit genocidal policy needs to be remembered, and I’m really grateful that you also mentioned the annual memorial horse ride. The way the Dakota and Lakota communities continue to honor them is so powerful.
That being said, I want to clarify that my original post referred to the Chinese Massacre of 1871 as one of the largest mass lynchings in American history, not the largest. Lynching is typically understood as extrajudicial mob violence, while what happened in Mankato is *usually* referred to as a state execution. In some ways, that makes it even worse—because instead of an out-of-control mob, this was a calculated, legally sanctioned act of racial violence, carried out with full government approval. Lincoln is still widely praised for 'pardoning' some of the original 303 condemned, while the fact that he still approved the executions of 38 Dakota men is rarely talked about. That silence is part of the problem, and I’m really grateful to you for bringing it into the conversation.
Thank you again for sharing this and for keeping the memory of the Dakota 38 alive. I will absolutely be covering this in my work, and I really appreciate the opportunity to highlight this history.
Thank you so much for your grace and for your beautiful recap. Looking forward to your piece that will be covering more of this story, as well as every piece of important history that you share.
YAYY I love seeing your content on Instagram, glad to see you here on Substack now!
OH My God! I literally screamed out loud reading this:
"the Border Patrol made Mexicans shower in gasoline baths, later inspiring the Nazi’s gas chambers"
my mother's and father's parents lost most of their family in WW2 so this information feels like I I suddenly had a bucket of cold water poured over my head
Thank you so much for everything you share! You are offering a priceless gift by spreading so much important information that was hidden for so long. Wishing you continued success in your incredibly important endeavour
Wow. Thank you so much for sharing that. I can’t imagine how deeply personal and chilling this must have felt for you. History has so many painful and shocking connections, and I feel honored to help shed light on them. Sending you and your family so much love and strength. Your words mean the world to me—truly. I’ll keep doing my best to bring these hidden stories to light.
My goodness your compassion is sending chills through my body 💗🙏 you are a rare diamond in this superficial world that we live in, i wish to learn from you how to spread love and light for REAL (the performative one makes me feel like puking 🤮 but) you REALLY have a grace and generosity that is not easy to find. Thank you for making my day! 😭❤️
wow, I didn’t know you were on Substack. Followed
Not shocking at all actually. I read history books. Many Americans do not. No Republican does.
Run for office!
So what?
Anyone can find horrible facts about stuff. Not hiding very well, is it?
Burying our history is a mistake. We cannot learn if we bury that of which we are ashamed. (Let’s hope we are ashamed of these actions!) We are not responsible for the terrible deeds of other people, but we are responsible to learn and to grow from those mistakes, which we cannot do if those events are buried away