Cowboy culture might seem uniquely American, but one Chinese immigrant says it feels surprisingly familiar. Bruce Wang is originally from Yunnan, a region of China with a long history of horse breeding among many ethnic groups, but became fascinated with the cowboy lifestyle after moving to Texas as an international student at 20 years old.
At first, he dressed like a cowboy, but looking the part wasn't enough — he wanted the real experience. So he joined the cattle industry, learning to ride horses and work with livestock. Maybe he even learned to appreciate the smell of cow manure — or at least not complain about it.
After more than a decade in the United States, cowboy culture has become an important part of his identity, and he says it will stay with him even if he returns to China one day. By sharing his story, Bruce hopes people in China and the United States will better understand one another despite ongoing political tensions. What a moooooooo-ving story.
In Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders, learn how Theodore Roosevelt resigned his government position to lead a volunteer cavalry unit in the Spanish-American War. The Rough Riders, a diverse group of cowboys, Native Americans, and regular citizens, fought on foot in Cuba and captured San Juan Hill under Roosevelt’s leadership, earning him national fame and a hero’s welcome. This victory became one of Roosevelt’s most celebrated moments and helped pave his path to the presidency.
The article "Legendary Cowboys and Gunslingers Who Defined the Wild West" from BBC's HistoryExtra highlights the lives of 13 influential figures of the Old West, from notorious outlaws like Jesse James and Billy the Kid to celebrated lawmen like Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickok. These individuals shaped the history of the American frontier through their daring adventures, law enforcement, and infamous acts, becoming icons that continue to capture the imagination of the modern world.
In Why Ranching Is Becoming a Tougher Way of Life, host Simon Reeve learns firsthand from a Montana rancher that life on a cattle ranch isn’t as easy as it sounds. With over a century of ranching history, he shares that the challenges of tough weather, tight finances, and fewer young people wanting to be cowboys are putting this way of life at risk. Add in the rising value of land for development, and ranchers face tough choices to keep their herds — and their traditions — alive. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In Cowboys Are Choosing a Sustainable Future in Montana, host Simon Reeve travels through the Rocky Mountains, which stretch from Canada all the way to New Mexico! In Montana, Simon visits the IX Ranch where he learns how cowboys are using sustainable farming to protect the land, and that cattle outnumber people in the state! Simon joins Rich, the ranch manager, as they dive into the importance of caring for the land to ensure it can keep supporting both cows and future generations. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
Cowboy culture might seem uniquely American, but one Chinese immigrant says it feels surprisingly familiar. Bruce Wang is originally from Yunnan, a region of China with a long history of horse breeding among many ethnic groups, but became fascinated with the cowboy lifestyle after moving to Texas as an international student at 20 years old.
At first, he dressed like a cowboy, but looking the part wasn't enough — he wanted the real experience. So he joined the cattle industry, learning to ride horses and work with livestock. Maybe he even learned to appreciate the smell of cow manure — or at least not complain about it.
After more than a decade in the United States, cowboy culture has become an important part of his identity, and he says it will stay with him even if he returns to China one day. By sharing his story, Bruce hopes people in China and the United States will better understand one another despite ongoing political tensions. What a moooooooo-ving story.
In Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders, learn how Theodore Roosevelt resigned his government position to lead a volunteer cavalry unit in the Spanish-American War. The Rough Riders, a diverse group of cowboys, Native Americans, and regular citizens, fought on foot in Cuba and captured San Juan Hill under Roosevelt’s leadership, earning him national fame and a hero’s welcome. This victory became one of Roosevelt’s most celebrated moments and helped pave his path to the presidency.
The article "Legendary Cowboys and Gunslingers Who Defined the Wild West" from BBC's HistoryExtra highlights the lives of 13 influential figures of the Old West, from notorious outlaws like Jesse James and Billy the Kid to celebrated lawmen like Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickok. These individuals shaped the history of the American frontier through their daring adventures, law enforcement, and infamous acts, becoming icons that continue to capture the imagination of the modern world.
In Why Ranching Is Becoming a Tougher Way of Life, host Simon Reeve learns firsthand from a Montana rancher that life on a cattle ranch isn’t as easy as it sounds. With over a century of ranching history, he shares that the challenges of tough weather, tight finances, and fewer young people wanting to be cowboys are putting this way of life at risk. Add in the rising value of land for development, and ranchers face tough choices to keep their herds — and their traditions — alive. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In Cowboys Are Choosing a Sustainable Future in Montana, host Simon Reeve travels through the Rocky Mountains, which stretch from Canada all the way to New Mexico! In Montana, Simon visits the IX Ranch where he learns how cowboys are using sustainable farming to protect the land, and that cattle outnumber people in the state! Simon joins Rich, the ranch manager, as they dive into the importance of caring for the land to ensure it can keep supporting both cows and future generations. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.