Page 43 – Zinn Education Project

Feb. 11, 1990: Mandela Released from Prison

Nelson Mandela was released from prison in South Africa after 27 years.

Feb. 11, 1963: Howard Zinn Debates Fulton Lewis III About HUAC

Howard Zinn debated Fulton Lewis III, a journalist and member of the House Un-American Activities Committee, on the question of “Shall the House Committee on Un-American Activities Be Abolished?”

Feb. 11, 1916: Emma Goldman Arrested

Russian Jewish anarchist Emma Goldman was arrested for distributing materials about birth control in violation of the Comstock Act.

Paul Cuffee portrait by Chester Harding.

Feb. 10, 1780: Paul Cuffee and Other Free Blacks Petition for the Right to Vote

Paul Cuffee and other free Blacks petitioned the Massachusetts government to give African and Native Americans the right to vote.

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.

Photograph of National Woman's Party watchfire demonstrators standing with banners and fire in urn in front of White House. One banner reads, "President Wilson is deceiving the world when he appears as the prophet of democracy. President Wilson has opposed those who demand democracy for this country. He is responsible for the disfranchisement of millions of Americans. We in America know this. The world will find him out."

Feb. 9, 1919: Women Burn Effigy of President Wilson and Demand Right to Vote

In one of the more spectacular demonstrations for women's voting rights, the National Woman’s Party burned President Woodrow Wilson in effigy in front of the White House during the campaign for the 19th Amendment.

Feb. 8, 1968: Orangeburg Massacre

Two years before the Kent State murders, 28 students were injured and three were killed in Orangeburg, South Carolina — most shot in the back by the state police while involved in a peaceful protest.

Feb. 8, 1946: WWII Veteran Timothy Hood Killed

Timothy Hood, a veteran of the U.S. Marines, was killed for removing a Jim Crow sign.

Feb. 8, 1868: Kate Brown Blocked from Seat in Ladies’ Car and Assaulted

An employee of the U.S. Senate, Kate Brown found political support from Sen. Charles Sumner and others in Congress when she was violently removed from the ladies' car, which was segregated illegally.

Feb. 7, 1926: Carter G. Woodson Launched Negro History Week

Carter G. Woodson initiated the first celebration of Negro History Week which led to Black History Month.

Feb. 6, 1976: AIM Organizer Leonard Peltier Captured

American Indian Movement (AIM) organizer Leonard Peltier was arrested in 1976 for a crime he says he did not commit. He remained imprisoned for nearly 50 years in spite of international campaigns and calls for his release. Outgoing President Biden finally commuted Peltier's sentence in January 2025.

Feb. 6, 1961: “Jail, No Bail” in Rock Hill, South Carolina Sit-Ins

The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) sent four volunteers to Rock Hill, South Carolina to sit-in.

Time Period

Theme

Resource Type

Grade

Keywords