Question map
Which of the following statements about 'Alcatraz', which was recently in news, is/are correct ? 1. It was once a defence fort on Alcatraz island of America. 2. It was once a prison on Alcatraz island of America. 3. It was once occupied by a group of native American students, known as 'Indians of all tribes'. Select the answer using the code given below :
Explanation
Alcatraz Island, located in San Francisco Bay, has a multifaceted history. It was originally established as a military fortification in 1850, becoming the most heavily fortified site on the West Coast with over 100 cannons to protect the bay entrance [5]. By the late 1850s, it began housing military prisoners and was formally designated a Military Prison in 1907 [5]. It later gained fame as a federal penitentiary from 1934 until its closure in 1963. Following its closure, the island became a focal point for Native American activism. In November 1969, a group of approximately 78 to 89 Native Americans, primarily students led by Richard Oakes and calling themselves the 'Indians of All Tribes' (IAT), occupied the island [3]. This occupation lasted 19 months, ending in June 1971, and was a landmark event for the Red Power movement [3].
Sources
- [4] https://www.nps.gov/alca/learn/historyculture/we-hold-the-rock.htm
- [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupation_of_Alcatraz
- [1] https://www.bop.gov/about/history/alcatraz.jsp
- [3] https://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices/timeline/520.html