Howard Zinn
Full Name and Common Aliases
Howard Zinn was born Howard Zinn, and he is commonly referred to simply as Howard Zinn. There are no widely recognized aliases associated with him.
Birth and Death Dates
Howard Zinn was born on August 24, 1922, and he passed away on January 27, 2010.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Howard Zinn was an American historian, playwright, and social activist. He is best known for his work as a historian and his influential writings on American history.
Early Life and Background
Howard Zinn was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a working-class Jewish family. His parents, Eddie and Jenny Zinn, were immigrants from Eastern Europe, and they instilled in him the values of hard work and education. Growing up during the Great Depression, Zinn experienced firsthand the struggles of the working class, which would later influence his perspectives and writings.
Zinn's early education was shaped by his experiences in the Brooklyn public school system. After high school, he worked in a shipyard and later enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, where he served as a bombardier. His wartime experiences, particularly the bombing of Royan, France, left a profound impact on him and fueled his later anti-war activism.
After the war, Zinn took advantage of the G.I. Bill to further his education. He attended New York University, where he earned his bachelor's degree, and later pursued graduate studies at Columbia University, obtaining a master's degree and a Ph.D. in history.
Major Accomplishments
Howard Zinn's career was marked by his commitment to social justice and his efforts to present history from the perspective of the marginalized. He began his teaching career at Spelman College, a historically black women's college in Atlanta, Georgia, where he became actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement. His advocacy for student rights and his participation in civil rights activities led to his dismissal from Spelman, but it also solidified his reputation as a dedicated activist.
Zinn later joined the faculty at Boston University, where he continued to teach and write. His most significant accomplishment came with the publication of his seminal work, "A People's History of the United States," in 1980. This book challenged traditional narratives by focusing on the experiences and struggles of ordinary people rather than political elites. It became a bestseller and has been widely used in educational settings.
Notable Works or Actions
In addition to "A People's History of the United States," Howard Zinn authored numerous other books and articles that explored themes of social justice, war, and democracy. Some of his notable works include "The Politics of History," "You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train," and "Declarations of Independence." Zinn was also a playwright, and his play "Marx in Soho" is a popular piece that imagines Karl Marx returning to modern-day America to comment on contemporary issues.
Zinn's activism extended beyond his writings. He was a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War and participated in numerous protests and demonstrations. His commitment to peace and justice earned him a place among the most respected voices in the anti-war movement.
Impact and Legacy
Howard Zinn's impact on the field of history and on social activism is profound. His approach to history, which emphasized the voices of the oppressed and the importance of grassroots movements, has inspired countless students, educators, and activists. "A People's History of the United States" has sold millions of copies and continues to be a vital resource for those seeking an alternative perspective on American history.
Zinn's legacy is also evident in the numerous awards and honors he received throughout his life, including the Lannan Literary Award for Nonfiction and the Eugene V. Debs Award for his contributions to social justice.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Howard Zinn is widely quoted and remembered for his ability to articulate complex social and historical issues in a way that is both accessible and thought-provoking. His writings challenge readers to question established narratives and to consider the perspectives of those who have been historically marginalized. Zinn's quotes often reflect his deep commitment to justice, equality, and the power of ordinary people to effect change.
His work continues to resonate with those who seek to understand history not just as a series of events, but as a dynamic process shaped by the actions and struggles of everyday people. Howard Zinn's legacy endures as a testament to the power of history to inspire and mobilize individuals toward a more just and equitable world.
Quotes by Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn's insights on:
There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people for a purpose which is unattainable.
It turned out to be the most bizarre election in the nation’s history. Al Gore received hundreds of thousands of votes more than Bush, but the Constitution required that the victor be determined by the electors of each state. The electoral vote was so close that the outcome was going to be determined by the electors of the state of Florida. This difference between popular vote and electoral vote had happened twice before, in 1876 and 1888.
A writer in early 1930, boosting the beauty business, started off a magazine article with the sentence: “The average American woman has sixteen square feet of skin.
In Wisconsin in 1856, the LaCrosse and Milwaukee Railroad got a million acres free by distributing about $900,000 in stocks and bonds to fifty-nine assemblymen, thirteen senators, the governor. Two years later the railroad was bankrupt and the bonds were worthless.
Now, with the British out of the way, the Americans could begin the inexorable process of pushing the Indians off their lands, killing them if they resisted. In short, as Francis Jennings puts it, the white Americans were fighting against British imperial control in the East, and for their own imperialism in the West. Before.
In Maryland, for instance, by the new constitution of 1776, to run for governor one had to own 5,000 pounds of property; to run for state senator, 1,000 pounds. Thus, 90 percent of the population were excluded from holding office.
Was the war being fought to establish that Hitler was wrong in his ideas of white Nordic supremacy over “inferior” races? The United States’ armed forces were segregated by race. When troops were jammed onto the Queen Mary in early 1945 to go to combat duty in the European theater, the blacks were stowed down in the depths of the ship near the engine room, as far as possible from the fresh air of the deck, in a bizarre reminder of the slave voyages of old.
Democrats and Republicans to elect Rutherford Hayes in 1877 set the tone. Whether Democrats or Republicans won, national policy would not change in any important way.
By the end of the Clinton years, the United States had more than 2 million people in prison – a higher percentage of the population than any other country in the world, except maybe Communist China. Visions.