Episode Details

Rising from the granite peaks of the Black Hills, the Crazy Horse Memorial is one of the most ambitious—and controversial—projects in American history. In this episode of History Shorts, we explore the origins of a monument dedicated to Crazy Horse, a figure who fiercely resisted U.S. expansion and became a symbol of Native American resistance.

We trace how sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski began work in 1948 at the invitation of Lakota leaders, envisioning a colossal tribute that would rival even Mount Rushmore. Decades later, the monument remains unfinished—raising questions about legacy, funding, and the meaning of memorialization itself.

This is a story of vision, identity, and debate—where history is quite literally carved into stone, but its meaning continues to evolve.

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