The Birth of the Wild West 152 years ago today, on December 16, 1872, The Scouts of the Prairie premiered in Chicago, forever changing how we imagine the American West. Starring Buffalo Bill Cody, Texas Jack Omohundro, dime novelist Ned Buntline, and prima ballerina Giuseppina Morlacchi, this was the first “western” performance. Before December 16, 1872, there was no “Wild West” in popular culture. But that night, with gunfire, war cries, and painted prairie backdrops, the myth of the cowboy hero was born. Buffalo Bill became a superstar, but Texas Jack was the first cowboy to step onto an American stage, lasso in hand and revolver at his side. Their partnership set the stage for the western legends we know today—John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and every gunslinger riding into the sunset. Want to know more? Check out Texas Jack: America’s First Cowboy Star by Matthew Kerns, available now—the perfect gift for western fans! 📚 Learn more: https://amzn.to/49EzZPk
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