This Day in History - Zinn Education Project

Dec. 15, 1992: “Civil War” in El Salvador Ended

The "civil war" in El Salvador officially ended, but other struggles following, including to protect the land and water from gold mining.

Themes: Environment & Food, Imperialism, Latino, US Foreign Policy, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements

Dec. 15, 1791: Bill of Rights Ratified

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, known as the United States Bill of Rights, were ratified.

Themes: Democracy & Citizenship, Laws & Citizen Rights, Racism & Racial Identity, Slavery, Social Class

Wilma Mankiller | Zinn Education Project

Dec. 14, 1985: Wilma Mankiller Becomes Chief of Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma

Wilma Mankiller took office as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.

Themes: Environment & Food, Native American

Dec. 14, 1917: Kate O’Hare Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

U.S. peace activist and suffragist Kate O'Hare was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for a speech denouncing WWI.

Themes: US Foreign Policy, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements, Women's History

Dec. 13, 1903: Civil Rights and Human Rights Activist Ella Baker Born

Ella Baker was a civil rights and human rights activist beginning in the 1930s whose career spanned more than five decades.

Themes: African American, Democracy & Citizenship, Organizing

Dec. 12, 1870: Joseph H. Rainey First African-American in U.S. House of Reps

Joseph H. Rainey, from South Carolina, was the first African-American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Themes: African American, Democracy & Citizenship, Racism & Racial Identity

Dec. 11, 1917: Black Soldiers Executed for Houston Riot

"The primary cause of the Houston riot was the habitual brutality of the white police officers of Houston in their treatment of colored people." —The Crisis magazine.

Themes: African American, Racism & Racial Identity

Dec. 10, 1898: Treaty of Paris

The Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the Spanish-American War,

Themes: US Foreign Policy, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements

Rev. Henry McNeal Turner | Zinn Education Project

Dec. 9, 1867: Georgia Constitutional Convention

The Georgia Constitutional Convention was held with 33 African Americans and 137 whites.

Themes: African American, Laws & Citizen Rights

Dec. 9, 1872: P. B. S. Pinchback First Black Governor

P. B. S. Pinchback of Louisiana become the first Black governor in the U.S.

Themes: African American, Democracy & Citizenship, Laws & Citizen Rights

Dec. 9, 1864: Ebenezer Creek Massacre

People who had escaped from slavery and were following the Union Army, were blocked from crossing the Ebenezer Creek, leading to their death.

Themes: African American, Slavery

Dec. 8, 1941: Jeannette Rankin Voted Against WWII

Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin was the only member of Congress to vote against declaring war on Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Themes: Democracy & Citizenship, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements, Women's History

The Vicksburg Massacre | Zinn Education Project

Dec. 7, 1874: Vicksburg Massacre

Whites attacked and killed many Black citizens who had organized for a black sheriff to remain in office during the Vicksburg Massacre.

Themes: African American, Democracy & Citizenship, Racism & Racial Identity

13th Amendment Engraving | Zinn Education Project

Dec. 6, 1865: 13th Amendment Ratified

The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, officially ended the institution of slavery.

Themes: African American, Laws & Citizen Rights, Racism & Racial Identity, Slavery

Dec. 5, 1955: Montgomery Bus Boycott Began

The Montgomery Bus Boycott is one of the most powerful examples of organizing and social change in U.S. history.

Themes: African American, Democracy & Citizenship, Laws & Citizen Rights, Racism & Racial Identity

Dec. 4, 1969: Black Panther Party Members Assassinated

Black Panther Party members Fred Hampton and Mark Clark were assassinated by police.

Themes: African American, Racism & Racial Identity

Dec. 3, 1847: North Star Newspaper Launched

Frederick Douglass and Martin Delany launched the abolitionist North Star newspaper.

Themes: African American, Media, Slavery

Dec. 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities

International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Themes: Disability

Dec. 2, 1980: Three Nuns and Lay Worker Killed in El Salvador

Three nuns and a lay worker were killed in El Salvador by members of the U.S. backed National Guard.

Themes: US Foreign Policy, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements, World History/Global Studies

Dec. 2, 1859: John Brown Executed

Abolitionist John Brown was executed by the state of Virginia for leading the infamous Harpers Ferry Raid.

Themes: African American, Slavery

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