The Global History of Protest

A historical timeline showing key moments in protest history and how protest has evolved globally and in the U.S.:

Timeline: The Global History of Protest

• 1200 BCE – Ancient Egypt: The first recorded labor strike occurred under Pharaoh Ramses III, when tomb workers in Deir el-Medina walked off the job over delayed wages (grain payments).
• 508 BCE – Ancient Athens: Political protest and reform lead to the birth of Athenian democracy. Popular assembly (ekklesia) allowed citizens to protest laws and influence policy.
• 1381 – Peasants’ Revolt (England): English peasants rebelled against taxation and feudal oppression. Though suppressed, it set a precedent for social uprisings.
• 1773 – Boston Tea Party (USA): American colonists protested British taxation by destroying tea shipments in Boston Harbor. A key moment in the lead-up to the American Revolution.
• 1789–1799 – French Revolution: Mass protests and uprisings toppled monarchy and established a republic. A foundational moment for modern political activism and citizenship.
• 1830s–1900s – Labor and Suffrage Movements: Workers strike for fair wages and conditions. Women protest for voting rights across the UK, U.S., and elsewhere.
• 1930 – Salt March (India): Mahatma Gandhi leads a 240-mile protest against British salt laws. A landmark in nonviolent resistance.
• 1950s–1960s – U.S. Civil Rights Movement: Mass protests, boycotts, sit-ins, and marches challenge racial segregation and discrimination, resulting in landmark legislation.
• 1969 – Stonewall Riots (NYC): LGBTQ+ patrons resist police raids at the Stonewall Inn, launching the modern gay rights movement.
• 1989 – Tiananmen Square (China): Student-led pro-democracy protests end in military crackdown, symbolizing both hope and repression.
• 1999 – Seattle WTO Protests (USA): Thousands protest global trade policy and corporate power. A major moment in the anti-globalization movement.
• 2010–2012 – Arab Spring: Protests erupt across the Middle East and North Africa calling for democratic reform. Several regimes are overthrown, though outcomes vary.
• 2014 – Hong Kong Umbrella Movement: Massive protests demand democratic elections and political autonomy from mainland China.
• 2019–2020 – Global Climate Strikes: Led by youth activists like Greta Thunberg, millions protest inaction on climate change.
• 2020 – Black Lives Matter: George Floyd’s death sparks global protests against racial injustice and police violence. One of the largest protest movements in U.S. history.
• 2022–2023 – Iran Protests: Protests erupt after the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. Women’s rights become central to national dissent.
• 2024–2025 – Gaza and Palestine Solidarity Protests: Protests in cities across the world oppose military actions in Gaza and call for Palestinian rights. Significant participation across U.S. college campuses and European capitals.
• 2025 – No Kings Protests (Global): A global movement challenging authoritarianism and monarchy worldwide. Includes symbolic actions, digital activism, and protests in public squares under the slogan “No Thrones, No Crowns, No Kings.” These protest have become increasingly popular in the United States, and as of 18 October 2025 have taken place in all 50 U.S. States with over 2,700 individual protests including more than 7 million people.

Sources

• BBC Teach – “What is a Protest?”
• Freedom Forum – “Famous Protests”
• Dominican University – History of Protest
• American Archive – First Amendment Exhibit
• Wikipedia – “Protest”