Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, October 26, 1881
The most famous shootout in the Old West arose from long-simmering hostility between Wyatt, Morgan, and Virgil Earp and a loosely knit gang known as the Cowboys. The Earps had been brought to Tombstone, in the Arizona Territory, to tame the town. The Cowboys openly threatened to “clean out the Earps,” along with Wyatt’s friend Doc Holliday, if they didn’t leave town. When the Cowboys menacingly assembled at the O.K. Corral, the Earps and Holliday confronted them. “Give up your arms or throw up your arms!” Virgil shouted. Thirty shots were fired in thirty seconds. Three Cowboys were killed.