<P> The United States Court of Claims ruled in favor of the Eastern Cherokee Tribe's claim against the U.S. on May 18, 1905 . This resulted in the appropriation of $1 million (equal to $27,438,023.04 today) to the Tribe's eligible individuals and families . Interior Department employee Guion Miller created a list using several rolls and applications to verify tribal enrollment for the distribution of funds, known as the Guion Miller Roll . The applications received documented over 125,000 individuals; the court approved more than 30,000 individuals to share in the funds . </P> <P> In 1987, about 2,200 miles (3,500 km) of trails were authorized by federal law to mark the removal of 17 detachments of the Cherokee people . Called the "Trail of Tears National Historic Trail", it traverses portions of nine states and includes land and water routes . </P> <P> A historical drama based on the Trail of Tears, Unto These Hills written by Kermit Hunter, has sold over five million tickets for its performances since its opening on July 1, 1950, both touring and at the outdoor Mountainside Theater of the Cherokee Historical Association in Cherokee, North Carolina . </P> <P> Cherokee artist Troy Anderson was commissioned to design the Cherokee Trail of Tears Sesquicentennial Commemorative Medallion . The falling - tear medallion shows a seven - pointed star, the symbol of the seven clans of the Cherokees . </P>

Where does the trail of tears start and end