20th Century Archives

The Historic Unfulfilled Promise

Book — Non-fiction. By Howard Zinn. 2012. 184 pages.
Compilation of articles Zinn penned for The Progressive magazine from 1980 to 2009.

We as Freemen: Plessy v. Ferguson

Book — Non-fiction. By Keith Medley. 2012. 256 pages.
This book documents the untold history of the organizing leading up the Plessy v. Ferguson case.

Ronald Takaki

Profile. Ronald Takaki (April 12, 1939 - May 26, 2009) was an academic, historian, ethnographer, author, and activist who is credited with founding ethnic studies.

The Autobiography of Medgar Evers: A Hero’s Life and Legacy Revealed Through His Writings, Letters, and Speeches

Book — Non-fiction. By Manning Marable and Myrlie Evers-Williams. 2006. 400 pages.
Comprehensive collection of the words of slain civil rights activist Medgar Evers.

Helen Keller: Rebellious Spirit

Book — Non-fiction. By Laurie Lawlor. 2001. 176 pages.
A biography that sheds light on Helen Keller as rebel and activist.

Tulsa Burning

Book — Fiction. By Anna Myers. 2004. 152 pages.
A young man must wrestle with his past and find the strength to pull free from the poisonous grip of racism.

The Dreamer

Book — Fiction. By Pam Muñoz Ryan. 2010. 384 pages.
An introduction to the life of Pablo Neruda as a child in historical fiction for young adults.

Inside the Volcano (Teaching Guide) | Zinn Education Project

Inside the Volcano: A Curriculum on Nicaragua

Teaching Guide. Edited by Bill Bigelow and Jeff Edmundson. 1990. 130 pages.
Fourteen interactive lessons on the history of Nicaragua.

Teaching Activity by Bill Bigelow

The Sky’s the Limit: People v. Newton, The REAL Trial of the 20th Century?

Book — Non-fiction. By Lise Pearlman. 2012. 800 pages.
Brings to life 20th century court cases and protests that played a major role in U.S. history.

The Export of Colors

Article. By Manlio Argueta. From Cuzcatlán, Donde bate la mar del sur.
An excerpt from a novel of historical fiction about the impact of an export economy on peasants in El Salvador.

Attica Prison Uprising

Resource list. Overview with links to articles, books, primers, films, and websites about the Attica Prison Uprising for the classroom.

Medgar Evers

Profile. By Dernoral Davis.
Medgar Evers (July 2, 1925—June 12, 1963), Civil Rights Movement activist in Mississippi.

Jan. 28, 1917: The Bath Riots

A protest of the toxic chemical “baths” required for all workers coming across the U.S.-Mexico border, led by 17-year-old Carmelita Torres.

The Untold History of the United States

Book — Non-fiction. By Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick. 2012. 784 pages.
Challenge the prevailing orthodoxies of traditional history books in this look at the U.S. history of empire building.

Teaching About the Wars (Teaching Guide) | Zinn Education Project: Teaching People's History

Teaching Guide. Edited by Jody Sokolower. Rethinking Schools. 2013. 132 pages.
A collection of Rethinking Schools articles and lessons for K-12 on U.S. military engagement in Afghanistan and the Middle East.

Always Running: La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A.

Book — Non-fiction. By Luis J. Rodriguez. 2005. 288 pages.
Memoir about a young Chicano gang member surviving the dangerous streets of East Los Angeles.

The Politics of History

Book — Non-fiction. By Howard Zinn. 1990. 408 pages.
A series of case studies and thought-provoking essays arguing for a radical approach to history.

The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks

Book — Non-fiction. By Jeanne Theoharis. 2013. 320 pages.
A revealing window into Rosa Parks’ politics and years of activism.

A Review of ‘42’: Jackie Robinson’s Bitter Pill

Article. By Dave Zirin. 2013.
Dave Zirin describes how 42 limits the story to a tale of “individual triumph through singular greatness,” ignoring the social movements and broader context of the time.

Roots of Justice: Stories of Organizing in Communities of Color

Book — Non-fiction. By Larry Salomon. Introduction by Kim Klein. 1998. 176 pages.
Stories of people who fought back against exploitation and injustice — and won.

Death in a Promised Land: The Tulsa Race Riot of 1921

Book — Non-fiction. By Scott Ellsworth. 1992. 159 pages.
A compelling story of racial ideologies, Southwestern politics, and yellow journalism, and of an embattled Black community's struggle to hold onto its land and freedom.

If We Must Die: A Novel of Tulsa’s 1921 Greenwood Riot

Book — Fiction. By Pat Carr. 2002. 166 pages.
Historical fiction account of the 1921 attack on Tulsa's Black neighborhood Greenwood, known as "Black Wall Street."

"Running the Negro out of Tulsa" | Zinn Education Project

Burned Out of Homes and History: Unearthing the Silenced Voices of the Tulsa Massacre

Teaching Activity. By Linda Christensen. Rethinking Schools. 20 pages.
Teaching about racist patterns of murder, theft, displacement, and wealth inequality through the 1921 Tulsa Massacre.

Teaching Activity by Linda Christensen