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Pequot Massacre | Zinn Education Project

May 26, 1637: Pequot Massacre

Hundreds of Pequot villagers were massacred by the Puritans in Mystic, Connecticut.

May 25, 1934: Minneapolis Teamsters Strike

The Minneapolis Teamsters Strike of 1934 was settled with union recognition and reinstatement for all fired workers.

May 25, 1865: Black Virginians Cast Freedom Ballots

African Americans tested their right to vote and when denied, cast their own “freedom ballots,” on election day in Norfolk, Virginia.

Flowers, toys, and other objects are seen at a memorial for the victims of the deadliest mass shooting in nearly a decade resulting in the death of 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, May 29, 2022.

May 24, 2022: Uvalde School Shooting

Nineteen children and two teachers were shot dead at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

May 24, 1990: Judi Bari’s Car Bombed

Earth First! activist Judi Bari’s car was blown up by a bomb in Oakland, California.

May 24, 1833: The Connecticut “Black Law” Enacted

One of many anti-literacy laws at the time, this law prohibited the establishment of schools for Black students who were not residents of Connecticut.

Henry Dumas, just days before his death, by Clem Fiori.

May 23, 1968: Acclaimed Writer Henry Dumas Fatally Shot by Police

Henry Dumas, a critically acclaimed author, was fatally shot by the New York Transit police.

May 23, 1914: Indian Migrants on the Komagata Maru Denied Entry Into Canada

Nearly 400 South Asian immigrants — many of whom were Sikh — steamed into Vancouver’s harbor on the Japanese ship Komagata Maru in search of a new home, but were blocked from docking and disembarking due to racist immigration policies.

Elizabeth "Betsy" Brown Stephens, a Cherokee woman who walked the Trail of Tears.

May 23, 1838: The Trail of Tears Began

The forcible removal of Native American tribes, known as the Trail of Tears, began.

May 22: International Day for Biological Diversity

The United Nations proclaimed May 22 the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.

May 22, 1843: “Great Emigration” of the Oregon Trail

Thousands of Native Americans were displaced when the “Great Emigration” on the Oregon Trail began.

May 21, 1881: Blanche K. Bruce Became Register of the Treasury

Blanche K. Bruce became Register of the Treasury, which placed his name on all U.S. currency.

A sign near the Liberty Bell tells the story of Ona Judge. Independence Historical Park, Philadelphia.

May 21, 1796: Ona Judge Escapes Enslavement by President George Washington

Ona Judge escaped enslavement by U.S. President George Washington.

May 20, 1963: Medgar Evers Speech on WLBT

Medgar Evers made a 17-minute speech on WLBT in a rare and historic exception to the white supremacist only voice on Mississippi radio and television.

May 20, 1943: The Battle of Attu

The Battle of Attu was fought between U.S. and Japanese forces, with Attu villagers taken as prisoners of war.

Peter Yew/Police Brutality Protests, 1975 | Zinn Education Project: Teaching People's History

May 19, 1975: Peter Yew/Police Brutality Protests

Virtually every shop and factory in Chinatown was closed, with signs posted windows and on doors reading “Closed to Protest Police Brutality” to protest the beating of Peter Yew.

May 19, 1972: First Malcolm X Day Celebration in D.C.

In a personal essay about the longest-running, largest annual event to celebrate the legacy of Malcolm X, Charles Stephenson describes the celebration’s founding and impact of that day in history.