Wars & Related Anti-War Movements Archives

June 2, 1863: Harriet Tubman Frees Nearly 800 People

Harriet Tubman planned and guided a significant armed raid (becoming the first woman to do so in the Civil War) against Confederate forces, supply depots, and plantations along the Combahee River in coastal South Carolina.

Jan. 17, 1893: Queen Lili`uokalani of Hawai`i is Overthrown

Queen Lili`uokalani of the independent kingdom of Hawai`i was overthrown as she was arrested at gunpoint by U.S. Marines.

Dec. 20, 1990: Dr. Yolanda Huet-Vaughn Refused Service in First Gulf War

Kansas reservist Dr. Yolanda Huet-Vaughn refused orders to serve in the first Gulf War (Desert Storm).

Feb. 2, 1848: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, ending the U.S. Mexico War and extending the boundaries of the United States west to the Pacific Ocean.

June 3, 1943: The Zoot Suit Riots

White U.S. servicemen and police entered a majority-Mexican American neighborhood in East Los Angeles and attacked and detained hundreds of young people in the “zoot suit riots.”

Oct. 20 or 27, 1968: NFL Player Dave Meggyesy Refused to Salute Flag During Anthem

St. Louis Cardinals NFL linebacker Dave Meggyesy disobeyed league rules and refused to salute the flag during the pre-game playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” nearly fifty years before San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee to protest police violence.

April 21, 1784: Enslaved Continental Army Veteran Sues for Freedom

Enslaved Continental Army veteran Ned Griffin successfully sued for his freedom in North Carolina.

Jan. 25, 1787: Daniel Shays Calls for a Truce in “Shays’ Rebellion”

Faced with heavy taxes and threats of land seizure by the government, farmers and working class people of western Massachusetts organized resistance to such policies, leading to “Shays’ Rebellion.”

Addicted to War: Why the U.S. Can’t Kick Militarism, An Illustrated Guide

Book — Non-fiction. By Joel Andreas. 2015. 80 pages.
A comic book expose on militarism in graphic format, making it accessible for high school and above.

Teaching Activity by Joel Andreas

Unsung Heroes (Lesson) | Zinn Education Project

Unsung Heroes: Encouraging students to write about those who fought for social justice

Teaching Activity. Essay by Howard Zinn and lesson by Bill Bigelow. Rethinking Schools. 18 pages.
Students research and write stories about unsung heroes in U.S. history.

Teaching Activity by Bill Bigelow

Whose “Terrorism”?

Teaching Activity. By Bill Bigelow. Rethinking Schools. 11 pages.
In this lesson, the act of reframing real-world events with fictional countries and individuals allows students to authentically discuss what qualifies as terrorism, what doesn’t, and what responses may or may not be appropriate, without bringing real-world stereotypes and preconceptions into play.

Teaching Activity by Bill Bigelow

Camouflaged: Investigating How the U.S. Military Affects You and Your Community

Teaching Guide. Edited by Edwin Mayorga, Bree Picower, and Seth Rader. 2008. 188 pages.
Tool for educators to help adolescents explore the role of the military in their lives and in their communities.

Artists in Times of War

Book — Non-fiction. By Howard Zinn. 2004. 112 pages.
In this collection of four essays, Zinn writes about the unique role of artists, activists, and publishers in working toward change.

Teaching Activity by Howard Zinn

Teaching About the Wars

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

The Great War: July 1, 1916: The First Day of the Battle of the Somme

Book — Non-fiction. By Joe Sacco. 2013. 54 pages.
Illustrated book depicting the horrific Battle of Somme, emblematic of a hideous war.

Teaching Activity by Joe Sacco

Mothers of the Disappeared "Memorial Wall"

March 24, 1980: Archbishop Romero Assassinated

Archbishop Óscar Romero of El Salvador was assassinated by U.S.-backed death squads.

Feb. 24, 1969: Tinker v. Des Moines Case Wins Free Speech Rights for Students

The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in Tinker v. Des Moines that students do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.”

Feb. 25, 1941: General Strike in Amsterdam

A general strike was called in Amsterdam to protest Nazi persecution of Jews under the German Nazi occupation.

March 5, 1770: Crispus Attucks Killed

Crispus Attucks was the first person shot to death by the British during the Boston Massacre.

Clyde McKay, Alvin Glatowski, Fred Emery (Photo) | Zinn Education Project

March 14, 1970: SS Columbia Eagle Mutiny

Two U.S. merchant seamen mutinied against the captain and crew aboard the SS Columbia Eagle, as it crossed the Pacific during the Vietnam War.

Music and Silence: The Passion and Protest of Pablo Casals

Book — Historical non-fiction. By Christy Mihaly, with illustrations by Mariona Cabassa. 2026. 56 pages.
An inspiring picture book biography of a UN Peace Medal recipient who used his songs — and his silence — to fight fascism, oppression, and violence.

Time Period

Theme

Resource Type

Grade

Keywords