July 14, 1881

Western outlaw Billy the Kid (1859 - 1881) was born Henry McCarty in New York City. He moved to New Mexico with his parents in 1874, and began his life of crime three years later when he a shot a man in an argument. As a fugitive, he took part in a variety of skirmishes until April 1881, when he was captured, convicted and sentenced to be hung. Learn the rest of the story at today’s picks.

About Billy the Kid
Webmistress Marcelle Brothers has been a Billy the Kid afficionado for fifteen years. Her passion lead her to create this website and co-find the Billy the Kid Historic Preservation Society. Visit for several Billy the Kid biographies (short and long versions), a filmography, maps, photos, and a lively discussion board. The Fact vs. Myth section provides a good overview of some of the “hogwash written about Billy the Kid.” History vs. Young Guns dissects the popular Emilio Estevez movies, and explains which parts were not historically accurate.

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