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Geronimo, born Goyathlay ("One Who Yawns"), (June 16, 1829–February 17, 1909) was a prominent Native American leader of the Chiricahua Apache who long warred against the encroachment of settlers of European descent on tribal lands.
Geronimo was born in what is now the state of New Mexico and according to the maps of the time was part of Mexico, but which his family considered Bedonkohe Apache land. Geronimo himself was a Chiricahua Apache. He grew up to be a respected medicine man and an accomplished warrior who fought frequently with Mexican troops. Mexican bandits massacred some of his relatives in 1848, and as a result he hated all Mexicans for the rest of his life. His Mexican adversaries gave him the nickname of "Geronimo", the Spanish version of the name "Jerome".
Ta-ayz-slath, wife of Geronimo, & child Geronimo fought against ever increasing numbers of both Mexican and United States troops and became famous for his daring exploits and numerous escapes from capture. His forces became the last major force of independent Indian warriors who refused to acknowledge the United States Government in the American West. This came to an end on September 4, 1886, when Geronimo surrendered to United States Army General Nelson A. Miles at Skeleton Canyon, Arizona.
Geronimo was sent in as a prisoner to Fort Pickens, Florida. In 1894 he was moved to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In his old age Geronimo became something of a celebrity, appearing at fairs and selling souvenirs and photographs of himself, but not allowed to return to the land of his birth. He rode in President Theodore Roosevelt's 1905 inaugural parade. He died of pneumonia at Fort Sill.
Geronimo in popular culture
 Comic book Geronimo and his Apache Murderers Geronimo is a popular figure in cinema and television. He has appeared in many films, including:
He appeared in 1979 film Mr. Horn, despite never having met Tom Horn. He also appeared in the 1993 telefilm Geronimo, , the 1990 reunion movie of television series Gunsmoke, and the 1966 West German film Geronimo und die Räuber. The 1976 film I Due superpiedi quasi piatti features a character who believes himself to be Geronimo. The anime television series features a highly stereotyped native wrestler, based loosely on the historical figure.
In 1940, the night before their first mass jump, U.S. paratroopers at Fort Benning saw a film about Geronimo, and began shouting his name during jumps, a trend which has caught on elsewhere.
portrait of Geronimo (1905) External links
Geronimo is also the name for a J2EE server currently in development.
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