Zinn Education Project

Aug. 27, 1963: W. E. B. Du Bois Dies

W. E. B. Du Bois died in Accra, Ghana.

Aug. 27, 1960: Ax Handle Saturday

White Floridians respond to lunch counter demonstrations with violence.

Aug. 26, 2016: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick Kneels in Protest

Colin Kaepernick, quarterback for the San Francisco 49'ers, draws attention to his quiet protest against police brutality during an NFL pre-season game.

Suffragists White House | Zinn Education Project

Aug. 26, 1920: 19th Amendment Adopted

The 19th Amendment was formally adopted.

Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters | Zinn Education Project

Aug. 25, 1925: Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters

The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters was launched in New York.

Howard Zinn Speaking at NCSS, 2008 - | Zinn Education Project: Teaching People's History

Aug. 24, 1922: Howard Zinn Born

Howard Zinn, a historian, author, professor, playwright, and activist, was born in Brooklyn.

Fort Hood ASU Ellen Catalinotto (photo) | The Zinn Education Project

August 23, 1968: Forty-Three Black Soldiers Stage Sit-In at Ft. Hood

When the “Fort Hood 43” refused to board a plane to Chicago for riot-control duty against fellow African Americans, their non-violent act became one of the largest demonstrations of dissent in U.S. military history.

Aug. 23, 1927: Bartolomeo Vanzetti and Nicola Sacco Executed

Italian-born immigrants, workers, and anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti were executed in Boston.

Aug. 22, 1964: Sharecroppers Demand Delivery of Full Suffrage in the U.S.

Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer, and the other members of the MFDP at the Democratic National Convention, questioned the nation about the lack of "one person, one vote" in the United States.

Aug. 22, 1781: Elizabeth Mumbet Freeman Secures Her Freedom

Elizabeth Mumbet Freeman, won her freedom. She had secured an attorney and filed a "freedom suit” under the 1780 state constitution for Massachusetts.

Aug. 21, 1971: Anti-war Protesters Raid Draft Offices

Twenty anti-war protesters were arrested for breaking into selective service offices and destroying draft records.

Aug. 21, 1939: Five Black Men Arrested for Going to Publicly Funded Library

Five Black men were arrested for staging a peaceful sit-in at the Alexandria "public" library that denied access to African Americans, making this the anniversary of one of the earliest instances of this form of non-violent protest that became popular in the mid-20th century.

Aug. 21, 1831: Nat Turner Launches Rebellion

Nathaniel Turner launched one of the most historic revolts to end enslavement.

Aug. 20, 1965: Jonathan Daniels Killed

Jonathan Myrick Daniels was shot dead in broad daylight in Lowndes County after being released from jail for picketing stores that denied entry to African Americans.

Aug. 20, 1619: Africans in Virginia

On or about Aug. 20, 1619, the documented arrival of Africans—stolen from their homelands and brought to British North America—occurred at Point Comfort.

Clara Luper (photo) | Zinn Education Project

Aug. 19, 1958: Katz Drugstore Sit-Ins

Clara Luper and the NAACP Youth Council began sit-ins to desegregate lunch counters.

Aug. 19, 1953: U.S. and Britain Topple Democratically Elected Government of Iran

Democratically elected Iranian Premier Mohammad Mossadegh was removed from power in a coup.

Aug. 18, 1977: Steve Biko Arrested

Anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko was arrested at a police roadblock.

Aug. 15 and 17, 1973: Two Striking United Farm Workers Killed

Two striking United Farm Workers (UFW) were killed on Aug. 15 and 17, 1973, while picketing.

Aug. 16, 1955: Paul Robeson Lost Court Appeal

Paul Robeson lost his court appeal to have the U.S. State Department grant him a passport.

Aug. 15, 1988: Food Not Bombs Volunteers Arrested

Nine volunteers were arrested for sharing food and literature at Golden Gate Park.

Aug. 15: 1975: Joan Little Acquitted

Joan Little was acquitted, using the defense that she used deadly force to resist sexual assault.

Aug. 15 – 22, 1829: The Cincinnati Riots

Starting on August 15, 1829, white mobs in Cincinnati, Ohio, rioted for a week to assault the city's Black residents and destroy their property .

Aug. 14, 1935: The Social Security Act Passed

The Social Security Act was passed, one of the results of the strength of organized labor and other mass movements of the 1930s.

Aug. 14, 1908: Springfield Massacre

Springfield Massacre was committed against African Americans by a mob of about 5,000 white people in Springfield, Illinois.