13 Essential US Historical Journeys for Every American

8. Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail commemorates the forced removal of thousands of Cherokee and other Indigenous peoples from ancestral homelands to present-day Oklahoma during the 1830s. Spanning more than 5,000 miles across nine states, the trail connects key sites such as New Echota in Georgia and the Cherokee Heritage Center in Oklahoma. Travelers can visit interpretive centers, walking paths, and commemorative events to better understand the sorrow, survival, and resilience engrained in this history. The National Park Service provides detailed maps and programs, many of which are especially impactful for educators and families. Annual memorial walks and partnerships with tribal nations foster both healing and ongoing public education. This journey asks visitors to reflect on stories of loss and endurance—vital threads in the tapestry of America’s ongoing story.