![Hundreds Gather In Mankato At Site Of Mass Hanging](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2015/11/RS3248_174204840-scr1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Hundreds Gather In Mankato At Site Of Mass Hanging
MANKATO - Hundreds of people have gathered in the snow and cold in Mankato to honor 38 Dakota Indians who were hanged at the end of the Dakota War of 1862.
Dakota Indians rode for hundreds of miles on horseback, while others spent the night running from Fort Snelling in the Twin Cities. Continuing a long tradition, the gathering at Reconciliation Park marked the 153rd anniversary of the largest mass execution in U.S. history.
Ride coordinator Darwin Strong says Saturday marked the 12th year of the memorial ride from Crow Creek, South Dakota to Mankato, but Dakota have run from Fort Snelling to the execution site for decades.
During the ceremony, Native American leaders spoke about the importance of remembering the dead -and of forgiveness.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Meant to Be! One Last Bench Memorialized in Eleventh Hour.](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2024/01/attachment-Bench-yellow-bench.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Bill Proposed to Rename Post Offices for Guardsmen Killed in 2019](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/12/attachment-ELM8JHsXYAATVSz.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Foley American Legion Dedicating New Veterans Memorial on Monday](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/05/thumbnail_D5696A30A7674CDEBDA534E1109F8827.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Memorial Set for 2nd Victim of Minneapolis School Collapse](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/08/Minnehaha-Academy.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Meeker County Sheriff’s Office Holding Peace Officer Memorial Service](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2016/11/Meeker-County-Sheriff-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Memorial Planned Near Site Of Castile Shooting](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2016/07/Philando-Castile.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Hundreds Gather for Late SCSU President Potter’s Memorial Service [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2016/06/potter.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Ceremony Opens Pirate Ship Honoring Life of Toddler [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2015/08/Ahoy-Matey-Ship.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![10 Years After Red Lake Attack, Memories Still Haunt](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2015/03/52471194.jpg?w=980&q=75)