On February 27, 1973, a standoff took place at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, between members of the American Indian Movement (AIM) and U.S. government forces. The AIM occupation of the town was a response to systemic abuses and the failure of the U.S. government to honor treaties with Native American tribes. The 71-day occupation led to several deaths, numerous injuries, and widespread media attention. Though the siege did not result in any immediate legal changes, it brought national attention to Native American rights and issues of sovereignty. The event remains one of the most significant protests in Native American history.