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Clinton Impeachment Trials
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Columbine School Shooting
The Columbine School Shooting took place at Columbine High School and killed fourteen, twenty-one injured. It is known to be one of the deadliest school shootings in America. The shooters took their own lives which is how the shooting stopped. Law enforcement was criticized for their slow response in fear that there was danger. The Columbine school shooting led to national debate on ending gun violence in schools and sparked debate on security in schools. -
USA Patriot Act
The USA Patriot Act is a federal law that was passed in response to 9/11 to grant law enforcement authority to conduct surveillance to US citizens. Law enforcement was granted access to wiretapping, tracking internet history, and personal records. It also broke down legal barriers that didn't agencies share information. It was passed to combat the threat of domestic and foreign terrorism. It is criticized with concerns of infringing on privacy and civil liberties of citizens. -
9/11 Terrorist Attacks
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Invasion of Iraq
The US invaded Iraq aimed to end Saddam Husseins regime. The US justified invading Iraq because they claimed Iraq was mass producing weapons of destruction and were tied to terrorist organizations that were threatening to the US. There was intense violence in Iraq following the invasion and had a devastating impact on Iraq and led to a rise of extremist groups. The invasion of Iraq also led to complex US relationships in the Middle East with other countries. The US fully withdrawals in 2011. -
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina was one of the deadliest natural disasters specifically happening in New Orleans. There was population decrease in NOLA, with many displaced. There was economic disruption to the city and infrastructure damage because of the floods. There was also concerns with public health because water quality was in question along with molding. It also had an impact nationally with gas prices increasing. The government was criticized because of their delayed response in action and support. -
The Great Recession
The Great Recession started with the housing crisis and the collapse of the mortgage/stock market. It had impacts on the unemployment rates, earnings, and income. Various banks failed and the housing market collapsed. The median household income rate declined. The poverty rate rose from 12.5% in 2007 to 15.1% in 2010. The Federal Reserve responded by lowering interest rates and introducing programs to aid. The government had to bail out finance companies and provide housing credit. -
Obama is Elected President
Barack Obama won the US presidency as a Democrat after defeating John McCain. He is the first African-American president in American history. This election had the highest voter turnout rate in decades and Obama was the first US senator to win since JFK. -
Osama bin Laden is killed
The assassination of Osama bin Laden was an important event in history and on the US "War on Terror" in the Middle East. It weakened the force of al-Qaeda and was a victory for the US. It was celebrated in the US and viewed as a prideful moment. Many Americans believed the US was safer from the threat of terrorism and it demonstrated American strength. Other's worried it could ignite more extremists groups in the Middle East and could have threats of retaliation. -
Same-Sex Marriage is Legalized
The Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell vs. Hodges to recognize the right to marry that was provided by the fourteenth amendment. The SCOTUS ruling led to the legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide. Public support for same-sex marriage had increased in America over the past couple decades. Those couples now had access to benefits, such as inheritance. There was also improved mental health among members of the LGBT community and a lasting positive impact.