Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep's new book examines a dark chapter in American history: the Cherokee Trail of Tears and the chief who used the tools of democracy to try to protect his people.

The trail where they cried -- Little John -- A special event -- Fighting the red sticks -- Principal chief -- The final removal -- On the wrong side -- A loyal leader Summary A biography of John Ross, ...

John Ross, long-time leader of the Cherokee Nation, was born on Oct. 3, 1790, in Cherokee territory now part of Alabama.

The last group to travel by water around Moccasin Bend carried Chief John Ross, his family and his enslaved servants. This small party of four boats and 231 souls left Charleston on Dec. 5, 1838.

John Ross made an unlikely looking Cherokee chief. Born in 1790 to a Scottish trader and a woman of Indian and European heritage, he was only one-eighth Cherokee by blood.

May 26, 1838, was the start of what we know today as the Trail of Tears, the forced deportation of 16,000 members of the Cherokee tribe. This year, the How some Christians warned about and mourned ...

Signage at North Shore Riverwalk Park depicts the steamer Victoria bearing Cherokee Nation Primary Chief John Ross and his family from Florida. Ross’s wife, Quatie, died on the day the ship ...

The rich culture and heritage of the Cherokee people and the story of their forced removal from their homeland is sometimes ...