US Foreign Policy Archives

Teaching Untold Stories During Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

By Moé Yonamine

“They’re Latinos . . . I think they’re some kind of farm workers.”

“No, they’re Asians with name tags.”

And then a student in a quiet voice walked by me slowly and muttered, “I think something really bad is happening to them.”

My students at Roosevelt High School in Portland, Oregon — one of the state’s most racially diverse schools — studied each black and white photo posted around the room, inspecting the background and the facial expressions; confused, anxious, frustrated. They began a journey to uncover the hidden story of the Japanese Latin American removal, internment, and deportation during World War II.

Aug. 6, 1945: The U.S. Dropped an Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima

The United States dropped an atomic bomb for the first time in war over the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

Jan. 5, 1997: Guam Commission on Decolonization

Guam established a Commission on Decolonization.

March 16, 2003: Rachel Corrie Killed

Rachel Corrie was crushed to death by an Israeli military bulldozer while undertaking nonviolent direct action to protect the home of a Palestinian family from demolition.

March 16, 1968: Mỹ Lai Massacre and Hugh Thompson

Hugh Thompson tried to defend Vietnamese villagers during Mỹ Lai Massacre.

March 29, 1973: Last U.S. Troops Depart South Vietnam

The last U.S. combat troops left South Vietnam, ending direct U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War.

Nov. 3, 1986: Iran Arms Sales Revealed

Ash-Shiraa reported that the U.S. government had been secretly selling arms to Iran in a hostage release deal.

Protesters at Ginwan rally | Zinn Education Project

Nov. 8, 2009: Okinawa Protest

Thousands of Okinawan protesters on the island of Okinawa demanded the removal of the U.S. base there.

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.

May 7, 1954: Viet Minh Victory

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

May 10, 1967: Army Captain Howard Levy Refuses to Train Green Berets During Vietnam War

Army Captain Howard Levy was imprisoned for three years for refusing to train U.S. Special Forces soldiers during the Vietnam War.

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.

June 24, 1980: General Strike in El Salvador Against Death Squads

A general strike was held in El Salvador against U.S.-funded death squads.

Sept. 2, 1945: Vietnam Declared Independence from France

Ho Chi Minh declared the independence of Vietnam from France.

Sept. 1, 1987: S. Brian Willson’s Legs Amputated by Train During Nonviolent Protest

S. Brian Willson’s legs were amputated by a train during a nonviolent protest against the U.S. arming of El Salvadoran death squads.

The 1897 Petition Against the Annexation of Hawaii.

July 8, 1898: Hawai’i Annexation

Hawai’i was annexed to the United States.

Salvador Allende | Zinn Education Project

Nov. 3, 1970: Salvador Allende Became President of Chile

Salvador Allende became president of Chile and adopted policies for the social good, such as raising minimum wage and increasing access to health care and education.

Dec. 15, 1992: “Civil War” in El Salvador Ended

The “civil war” in El Salvador officially ended, but other struggles followed, including to protect the land and water from gold mining.

Hanoi's Hospital | Zinn Education Project

Dec. 18, 1972: Christmas Bombing of Vietnam

Richard Nixon initiated a massive “carpet bombing” campaign in Northern Vietnam, mainly targeting Hanoi.

Operation Just Cause | Zinn Education Project

Dec. 20, 1989: Invasion of Panama

The United States invaded Panama in “Operation Just Cause.”

McCarthy State Dep't | Zinn Education Project

Feb. 9, 1950: Sen. Joseph McCarthy Announces “Enemies Within”

Senator Joseph McCarthy delivered a speech at the McLure Hotel during which he claimed to hold a list of known communists in the U.S. State Department.

Memorial of massacre site at El Mozote, Morazan, El Salvador | The Zinn Education Project

Dec. 11, 1981: El Mozote Massacre in El Salvador

More than 800 civilians were massacred by the U.S.-backed Salvadoran Army in El Mozote.

The Untold History of the United States: Young Readers Editions, Vols 1 (1898-1945) & 2 (1945-1962)

Book — Non-fiction. By Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick. Adapted by Susan Campbell Bartoletti and Eric S. Singer. Vol 1. 2014. 400 pages. Vol 2. 2019. 320 pages.
These are two volumes of illustrated histories, adapted for students from a documentary book and film of the same name.

May 13, 1846: U.S. Congress Approves Declaration of War Against Mexico

The U.S. Congress overwhelmingly voted in favor of President James K. Polk’s request to declare war on Mexico.

Teach About Iran, Iraq, and the Escalating War

Teach students about U.S. imperialism and war in the Middle East, and offer a historical context, with people's history resources.

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