Today in History: Billy the Kid

Cover of Pat F. Garrett, An Authentic Life of Billy the Kid, the Noted Desperado of the Southwest

Today in History–April 28–the Library of Congress features Billy the Kid, who killed two guards while making his escape from a New Mexico jail on this date in 1881. But was he a folk villain or hero? Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the primary source trail to uncover more perspectives on this infamous Wild West character.

Billy the Kid Escaped from Jail from America’s Library

Young Gun Library of Congress blog April 20, 2015

The Authentic Life of Billy, the Kid by Pat. F. Garrett 1882

Billy the Kid image set

Billy the Kid 1881 historical newspaper coverage

More Billy the Kid historical newspaper coverage

Life histories mentioning Billy the Kid Federal Writer’s Project, 1936-40

About Billy the Kid [ballet] by Aaron Copland

Notes on a Cowboy Ballet (re: Billy the Kid) Aaron Copland

Billy the Kid [musical sketches] (ballet) Aaron Copland

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