'War Poisons Everybody': Remembering Legendary Historian Howard Zinn on His 100th Birthday

We remember the legendary historian, author, professor, playwright and activist Howard Zinn, who was born 100 years ago today. Zinn was a regular guest on Democracy Now! from the start of the program in 1996 up until his death in 2010 at age 87. After witnessing the horrors of World War II as a bombardier, Zinn became a peace and justice activist who picketed with his students at Spelman College during the civil rights movement and joined in actions such as opposing the Vietnam War. He later spoke out against the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. "I believe neutrality is impossible, because the world is already moving in certain directions. Wars are going on. Children are starving," Zinn said in a 2005 interview. "To be neutral … is to collaborate with whatever is going on, to allow it to happen." His classic book, "A People's History of the United States," retells the country's history from the perspective of everyday people who resisted oppression and exploitation by more powerful forces.

#DemocracyNow

[mattja]

I'm very pleased that Democracy Now is commemorating my former professor, Howard Zinn. What a privilege to be schooled by him and Professor Norm Chomsky. Thank you, Amy, for being a real journalist of our time, day in, day out. Honorable mention, Professor Edward Said.

[buridah]

Can’t stop thinking about his words and how they still apply to the war in Ukraine

[seansmith]

That speech just a month after 9/11 took incredible courage. The hysteria and pressure to fall in line during that time was intense.

[billaddington]

Howard Zinn. The most beautiful empathetic critical thinker of our time. I’m blown away watching this today. Mr Zinn will always be remembered for his great work and love for humanity. So he lives on forever in our hearts. ¡Respect!

[DianaSmiles]

Probably the first Peacenik I followed. 💙 Howard Zinn is an inspiration that will never die. ✌

[teresalegler]

Excellent interview.
My parents were in Concentration Camps in Philippines 1942-45. The Surrounding villages of those camps were annihilated by bombs and shots from both the Japanese & American planes. There are untold amounts of innocent victims in these wars.

[powellp]

What a brilliant man! Thanks for honoring him Democracy Now.

[blackchild]

Thank you Howard zinn I will look up your work. From Boston

[asahmed]

I am humbled. Thank you Professor Howard Zinn for making the world a better place. In a world of constant deceit to me, you were a revolutionary. Thank you Democracy Now for remembering him in this episode.

[dongmo]

Thank You Amy and Democracy Now for bringing Howard Zinn to the forefront today. A truly great speaker and humanitarian.

[valkiehaider]

Amy..My Juan... Many many thank you/s for this broadcast!!! Beyond excellence!!! We needed to hear this!!! Beautiful!!!

[oldnepalihippie]

My hero. I too was born Brooklyn Jew. His history of the US woke me up, and inspired me to become a critical thinker. Thx for airing this, I enjoyed.

[judithcampbell]

Howard Zinn was a gem of a human being. We need more of his caliber in government! R.I.P Sir Howard Zinn. Thank you Amy for all you do!

[jimnickola]

I wish I could have attended at least one of his lectures. His students were lucky to have him. The world is fortunate to be able to read his books.

[jerrypolverino]

I have always held this man in the very highest regard. He’s up there with Carl Sagan in terms of being truthful.

[nancyanderson]

Sanity. So rare. Thanks for a breath of clean air. Thanks for revealing a rare soul, shining.

[carollarock]

Thank you ever so much for this interview with Mr. Howard Zinn.
Listening to him came importantly close to -breaking my heart- coming alongside him, -listening- through the many burdens he had the integrity & courage to bear & carry. I claim "close" because I did not have the opportunity to actually --walk-- alongside him over the many terrains of pain, anguish, destructions & despair... The dark fruit of ...human against human...borne of the precept: "They" are different from -- "Me"--...& --"I" am the --"Good Guy!".
He is a man of a beautiful soul. To me, he is, humbly, an honorable example of the discerning standard for 'the measure of a man' (found in Proverbs 28:1)...:
" The wicked flee when no man pursues;
BUT...the righteous are bold as a lion."

[jonathanguzman]

This man was a national treasure and a true patriot not in the sense that he supported his country no matter what without criticism, but that he believed it could be better and live up to its promises

[mmsapollo]

Thank you Amy and team! An amazing wonderful man, and gift to Humanity!

[francie]

What an excellent show! Thank you Amy for giving the whole hour to play Howard Zinn talks. The sound of truth spoken simply and non aggressively is a sound our soul recognizes, rarely heard in the cacophany of loud lies.
I knew about his book about the real history of America but didn’t know he’d written a children’s version. I will order it for my grandson. ✨🙏🌅