Zinn Education Project

May 25: Memorial Day

Learn about the people’s history of Decoration Day (Memorial Day) and the Memorial Day Massacre.

Jeanette Rankin. Portrait by Robert Shetterly of Americans Who Tell the Truth.

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.

Sept. 2, 1945: Vietnam Declared Independence from France

Ho Chi Minh declared the independence of Vietnam from France.

May 7, 1954: Viet Minh Victory

The Viet Minh scored their final victory over the French at Dien Bien Phu.

The closing words of the Port Huron Statement, the founding document of the Students for a Democratic Society, which met June 11-15 in Port Huron, Michigan.

June 11, 1962: Students for a Democratic Society Issue Port Huron Statement

Students for a Democratic Society held its founding convention in Michigan and issued the Port Huron Statement.

Aug. 7, 1964: Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was passed without a single dissent in the House of Representatives, and only two no votes in the Senate, leading to increased U.S. aggression in Vietnam.

Sample page from "Vietnam: An Antiwar Comic Book" by Julian Bond.

Oct. 28, 1964: U.S. Officials Deny Bombing North Vietnam

U.S. officials denied any involvement in the bombing of North Vietnam.

March 24, 1965: Anti-Vietnam War Teach-in at University of Michigan

The first anti-Vietnam War teach-in occurred at the University of Michigan, with more than 3,000 students, faculty and community members gathering on campus to educate each other about escalating U.S. aggression in Vietnam.

April 17, 1965: Largest Anti-War Protest

One of the largest anti-war protest was held in Washington, D.C.

Aug. 29, 1968: Prisoner-led Uprising at Long Binh Jail in Vietnam

In 1968, soldiers incarcerated at the Long Binh Jail in South Vietnam rioted, destroying much of the stockade, injuring dozens, and killing one.

Nov. 6, 1965: Draft Card Protest

Draft cards burned in solidarity with David Miller, a Catholic pacifist who was one of the first to publicly burn his draft card.

Nov. 14, 1965: Battle of Ia Drang

The Battle of Ia Drang began between regulars of the U.S. Army and regulars of the People’s Army of Vietnam.

Dec. 16, 1965: Students Suspended for Anti-War Armbands

A group of students wore black armbands to school to protest the war in Vietnam. The school board got wind of the protest and passed a preemptive ban.

Jan. 3, 1966: Sammy Younge Jr. Murdered

Samuel Younge Jr., Navy vet, Tuskegee student, activist was killed in Alabama for using a “whites-only” bathroom. SNCC issued a powerful statement about his murder and in opposition to the Vietnam War.