As I write, 50 people are confirmed dead and more than 50 wounded in the Islamist terrorist attack this morning in Orlando, Fla.
Many media are calling it the worst mass shooting in American history. For example, NBC News: "Florida Nightclub Massacre Is Deadliest Mass Shooting in U.S. History," and there are many more such claims.
However, as horrific as this shooting was, it is not even close to the worst mass shooting in American history. This was:
"The Mountain Meadows massacre was a series of attacks on the Baker–Fancher emigrant wagon train, at Mountain Meadows in southern Utah. The attacks began on September 7 and culminated on September 11, 1857, resulting in the mass slaughter of the emigrant party by members of the Utah Territorial Militia from the Iron County district, together with some Paiute Native Americans. Intending to leave no witnesses and thus prevent reprisals, the perpetrators killed all the adults and older children—about 120 men, women, and children in total. Seventeen children, all younger than seven, were spared."
Posts
