This Day in History - Zinn Education Project

Oct. 7, 1998: Matthew Shepard Beaten and Left to Die

Matthew Shepard, a gay student at the University of Wyoming, was beaten, robbed, and left to die.

Themes: LGBT

War in Afghanistan | Zinn Education Project

Oct. 7, 2001: U.S. and U.K. Began War in Afghanistan

The U.S. and U.K. began the war in Afghanistan.

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

Oct. 6, 1917: Fannie Lou Hamer Born

Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist, was born in Montgomery County, Mississippi.

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

Oct. 5, 1986: Eugene Hasenfus Captured During Iran-Contra Scandal

The cover-up of the Iran-Contra scandal began to unravel when Eugene Hasenfus was captured by Nicaraguan troops.

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

Oct. 4, 1864: New Orleans Tribune Launched

The New Orleans Tribune was launched and published daily in French and English by Louis Charles Roudanez.

Themes: Media

Berglund Walkout McComb MS | Zinn Education Project

Oct. 4, 1961: Burglund High School Walkout

Burglund students walked out in response to the expulsions of their classmates and the murder of Herbert Lee.

Themes: African American, Civil Rights Movements

Oct. 3, 1935: Ethiopia Invaded by Italy

Ethiopia was invaded by Fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini.

Themes: Imperialism, Racism & Racial Identity, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements, World History/Global Studies

Oct. 2, 1937: Parsley Massacre

The execution of more than 20,000 Haitians is known as the Parsley Massacre.

Themes: Latino, Racism & Racial Identity, US Foreign Policy, World History/Global Studies

Oct. 2, 1968: Tlatelolco Massacre

The Tlatelolco massacre was the killing of students and civilians by military and police in Mexico.

Themes: Democracy & Citizenship, Organizing, World History/Global Studies

Oct. 1, 1851: The Jerry Rescue

Abolitionists freed a man captured under Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 in Syracuse, New York.

Themes: Democracy & Citizenship, Laws & Citizen Rights, Slavery

Oct. 1, 1964: Free Speech Movement

The Free Speech Movement was launched at UC-Berkeley.

Themes: Civil Rights Movements, Democracy & Citizenship, Laws & Citizen Rights

Robert Hill Elaine Massacre | Zinn Education Project

Sept. 30, 1919: Elaine Massacre

Black farmers massacred in Elaine, Arkansas for their efforts to fight for better pay and higher cotton prices.

Themes: African American, Democracy & Citizenship, Labor

Conscientus Objectors 1943 | Zinn Education Project

Sept. 29, 1943: Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary Hunger Strike

Five conscientious objectors began a hunger strike at Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary.

Themes: African American, Democracy & Citizenship, Wars & Related Anti-War Movements

Opelousas Massacre | Zinn Education Project

Sept. 28, 1868: Opelousas Massacre

In response to the promotion of voter registration, a KKK like group massacred hundreds of people, most who were African American.

Themes: African American, Democracy & Citizenship

An Appeal to the Coloured Citizens of the World | Zinn Education Project

Sept. 28, 1829: An Appeal to the Coloured Citizens of the World

David Walker published one of the most important documents of the 19th century.

Themes: Democracy & Citizenship, Racism & Racial Identity, Slavery

Palo Duro Amarillo | Zinn Education Project

Sept 28. 1874: Battle of Palo Duro Canyon

Encampments of Comanches, Kiowas, Kiowa Apaches, Cheyennes, and Arapahos were attacked by the U.S. military.

Themes: Imperialism, Native American

Sept. 27, 1962: Silent Spring Published

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson was published.

Themes: Environment & Food, Women's History

Sept. 26, 1909: International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union Strike

Local 25 of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) declared a strike.

Themes: Labor, Women's History

Sept. 25, 1961: Murder of Herbert Lee

Herbert Lee, a farmer who helped voting rights activists, was killed.

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

The Milwaukee 14 Bob Graf |Zinn Education Project

Sept. 24, 1968: Milwaukee 14 Burn Draft Cards

Fourteen people removed 10,000 draft cards from the Milwaukee draft board.

Themes: Wars & Related Anti-War Movements

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