US Foreign Policy Archives

Aug. 21, 1971: Anti-war Protesters Raid Draft Offices

Twenty anti-war protesters were arrested for breaking into selective service offices and destroying draft records.

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.

Fort Hood Three Press Conference | Zinn Education Project: Teaching People's History

June 30, 1966: Fort Hood Three Release Public Statement on Vietnam Refusal

The Fort Hood Three issued a public statement about their refusal to be sent to Vietnam.

June 27, 1954: Elected Guatemalan Leader Overthrown in CIA-Backed Coup

Democratically elected Guatemalan president Jacobo Árbenz Guzmán was deposed in a CIA-sponsored coup.

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.

April 28, 1987: Benjamin Linder Murdered in Nicaragua

Ben Linder, a volunteer U.S. engineer in Nicaragua, was killed by the U.S.-funded Contras.

Jan. 12, 2010: Earthquake in Haiti

Haiti was hit with a devastating earthquake that took the lives of thousands and displaced even more‪.

Feb. 4, 1899: War of Philippine Independence

When the United States refused to recognize Philippine independence, Philippine Republic president Emilio Aguinaldo declared war.

Jan. 5, 1997: Guam Commission on Decolonization

Guam established a Commission on Decolonization.

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).

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.

United States Marine Corps in the Iraq War

March 20, 2003: Iraq War Invasion

It’s worth pausing to note how profoundly corporate textbooks mis-educate our students on the years of warfare in Iraq.

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.

April 23, 1968: Columbia Student Occupation

Students for a Democratic Society, Student Afro-American Society and others began a nonviolent occupation of campus buildings at Columbia University.

April 17, 1965: Largest Anti-War Protest

One of the largest anti-war protest was held in Washington, D.C.

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.

Nicaragua Literacy Campaign 1980 | Zinn Education Project

Nov. 4, 1984: First Democratic Nicaraguan Elections

Nicaragua held its first democratic elections in more than fifty years in 1984.

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.

Vietnam Veterans Against the War | ZInn Education Project

June 1, 1967: Vietnam Veterans Against the War Founded

The Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) was founded in New York.

May 4, 1970: Kent State Massacre

During an anti-war protest at Kent State University, the Ohio National Guard shot unarmed college students, killing four. Students were also killed at Jackson State (May 15, 1970), and Orangeburg (February 8, 1968).