Annie Oakley’s Birthday

August 13

Annie Oakley was born on August 13, 1860, and died on November 3, 1926. Born Phoebe Ann Moses (or Mosey), this amazing woman was an American target shooter and starred in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. Despite coming from humble beginnings, she performed before presidents and royalty.

Facts About Annie Oakley:

  • Annie Oakley was born on August 13, 1860 to Jacob Moses and Susan Wise Moses.
  • Annie starred in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show.
  • Annie Oakley retired in 1913 and died on November 3, 1926.
  • Annie was so successful at hunting that at the age of 15, she managed to pay the $200 mortgage on her mom's house from her earnings.
  • Oakley's father passed his shooting skills on to his daughter, who began performing in 1875 when she was 11. In 1880, Oakley traveled to New York and met Buffalo Bill Cody.
  • In 1882, Oakley began working through the Chicago-based Buffalo Bill Wild West Show. She was billed as "The Peerless Lady Wing Shot." Four years later, she married fellow performer Frank E. Butler.
  • Oakley and Butler continued to travel and perform with the show now called Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World. (Oakley would earn $1,000 a week during her prime.) The show toured Europe and England in 1887 and 1888.
  • In 1893, Oakley shot a cigarette out of her husband's mouth while he sat on horseback.