Buffalo Bill

William Frederick Cody, widely recognized as Buffalo Bill, was born on February 26, 1846, in Le Claire, Iowa Territory. He became one of the most iconic figures of the American Old West, captivating audiences with his performances that showcased cowboy themes and reenactments of the frontier and Indian Wars. His journey into the limelight began at the age of twenty-three, leading to the establishment of Buffalo Bill's Wild West in 1883, which toured extensively across the United States and Europe starting in 1887.

Buffalo Bill's early life was marked by hardship; he began working at the tender age of eleven following the death of his father. By the age of fifteen, he had already made a name for himself as a rider for the Pony Express. His adventurous spirit led him to serve in the Union Army during the American Civil War from 1863 until the conflict's conclusion in 1865. Following the war, he took on the role of a civilian scout for the U.S. Army during the tumultuous Indian Wars.

In recognition of his bravery during these conflicts, Cody was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1872. However, this honor was rescinded in 1917, along with those of nine hundred and eleven other recipients. It wasn't until 1989 that Congress reinstated the medals for Cody and four other civilian scouts, acknowledging their contributions to American history.