Geronimo, the prominent leader of the Apache, is best known for his fierce resistance against Mexican and American encroachment on his people's lands in the Southwestern United States. His struggle began in the 1850s and continued for nearly three decades, marked by intermittent warfare and attempts to relocate his people to reservations. The Apache Wars encapsulated the broader conflict over territorial claims, with Geronimo's defiance becoming a symbol of indigenous resistance against military oppression. In the summer of 1886, amidst diminishing resources and increasing pressure from U.S. forces, Geronimo made the fateful decision to surrender to General Nelson Miles in Arizona.

On this significant day, after months of pursuit by thousands of U.S. troops, Geronimo and approximately 30 of his followers formally laid down their arms. The surrender took place at a time of increasing desperation for the Apache, who faced food shortages and a lack of support from their traditional allies. Geronimo's capitulation recognized the overwhelming military power of the U.S. government, which had systematically dismantled Apache resistance and negotiation efforts throughout the previous decades. His surrender signified not just a personal defeat but a critical turning point in the larger conflicts between Native American tribes and American territorial expansion.

The aftermath of Geronimo's surrender had profound implications for the Apache and other Native American tribes. Geronimo and his warriors were initially imprisoned in Florida, where they remained for several years before being transferred to various locations. This experience led to his eventual public notoriety and transformation into a cultural icon. The surrender paved the way for the final consolidation of U.S. control over the Apache lands, which facilitated the expansion of railroads, settlers, and industries into Arizona and New Mexico, reshaping the landscape of the region and asserting the dominance of the U.S. government in Native American affairs.