Page 37 – Zinn Education Project

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. 19, 1791: Benjamin Banneker Tells Thomas Jefferson to End His “Narrow Prejudices”

A land surveyor, almanac writer, and correspondent of Thomas Jefferson’s, Benjamin Banneker told Thomas Jefferson to end his “narrow prejudices.”

Aug. 18, 1977: Steve Biko Arrested

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

a scene depicting the battle between the enslaved and their overseers during the Demerara Uprising in Guyana

Aug. 18, 1823: The Demerara Uprising

This was the largest uprising of the enslaved against their British overseers in Guyana. The uprising was ended after a few days, though it served as a catalyst for the abolition of slavery in British colonies soon thereafter.

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. 17, 1774: Freedman Caesar Sarter Rebukes “Revolutionary” Enslavers

Just months after the Boston Tea Party, formerly enslaved African American Caesar Sarter made front-page news in Newburyport, Massachusetts when he wrote a an essay rebuking “revolutionary” enslavers.

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 used deadly force to resist sexual assault and was the first to successfully defend herself in court leading to acquittal.

Eatonville, Florida, road sign entering the city

Aug. 15, 1887: All-Black Town of Eatonville Incorporated

Eatonville, Florida is the oldest Black-incorporated municipality in the United States, incorporated toward the end of the Reconstruction era.

Aug. 15 – 22, 1829: The Cincinnati Riots

White mobs in Cincinnati, Ohio, rioted for a week, assaulting the city’s Black residents and destroying their property .

Aug. 14, 2023: Young People Win Landmark Climate Case

Sixteen youth activists win a climate lawsuit against the state of Montana for fossil fuel policies that violate their constitutional right to “a clean and healthful environment.”

Aug. 14, 2017: Activists Topple Confederate Monument in Durham

Freedom fighter Takiyah Thompson looped a bright yellow strap around the neck of a Durham, North Carolina monument to Confederate soldiers, and a crowd of other activists pulled it down, inspiring other communities to take direct action in removing public symbols that glorify white supremacy, and to raise up new stories that celebrate all people.

Detail of the cover of one of the many pamphlets produced by the National Joint Action Committee in support of Congressman Ernest Lundeen’s social insurance bill. "What Every Working Woman Wants" was printed by Workers’ Library Publishers, NYC, 1935.

Aug. 14, 1935: The Social Security Act Passed

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

Aug. 14, 1908: Springfield Massacre

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

Aug. 13, 1955: Lamar Smith Murdered

Lamar Smith, 63-year-old farmer and WWI veteran, was shot dead in Brookhaven, Mississippi, for urging African Americans to vote.

Aug. 13, 1910: Ministers Appeal to President Taft After Slocum Massacre

A group of more than 150 ministers from Washington, D.C. wrote to President William Taft about the Slocum Massacre.

The 21 plaintiffs filing suit against the U.S. government.

Aug. 12, 2015: Filing of Juliana v. United States

The constitutional climate case Juliana v. United States was filed by 21 youth against the U.S. government. The defendants said that the government's policies are causing catastrophic climate change and constitute a violation of their constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property.

Carter Children | Zinn Education Project

Aug. 12, 1965: Carter Family Insists on Rights Under Brown v. Board

Mae Bertha and Matthew Carter enrolled their children in schools in Sunflower County, Mississippi that had been illegally denied to African Americans. In retaliation, they were evicted from the land they sharecropped and their home was riddled with bullets.

When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop (Book) | Zinn Education Project: Teaching People's History

Aug. 11, 1973: Hip Hop Born

Hip hop’s origins began at a dance party where DJ Kool Herc used two turntables to create a “break beat.”

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