70's, 80's, 90's, 00's Timeline

  • Jimmy Carter Elected President

    Jimmy Carter Elected President
    His presidency was chaotic yet significant and laid the groundwork for a more centrist Democratic Party that would rise in the 1990s and perform well.
  • Star Wars Movie Premier

    Star Wars Movie Premier
    On May 25, 1977, the "Star Wars" phenomenon came to life. This was the day that the film "Star Wars" debuted across the country. This film would enthrall millions of cinema enthusiasts globally and eventually become the top-grossing movie of its era.
  • Three Mile Island Meltdown

    Three Mile Island Meltdown
    The incident led to enhanced safety protocols and thorough testing initiatives. Nuclear power plants in America are now safer than ever due to the lessons that have been learned. The Three Mile Island nuclear facility has two reactors, each capable of producing over 800 megawatts of electricity.
  • Iran Hostages Released

    Iran Hostages Released
    Although the bravery of American hostages in Tehran and their families at home showcased the finest tradition of the Department of State, the Iran hostage crisis weakened Carter's approach to foreign policy. The crisis overshadowed the news and headlines, portraying the Administration as weak and ineffective.
  • Assassination Attempt on President Reagan

    Assassination Attempt on President Reagan
    The gunman was 30-year-old John Hinckley. Hinckley revealed that he aimed to assassinate President Reagan to gain the admiration of actress Jodie Foster. He devised the assassination following his viewing of the film Taxi Driver, where a scene mirrored the incident. Hinckley chose to imitate DeNiro's role in the film.
  • Iran/ Contra Affair

    Iran/ Contra Affair
    On 20 August 1985, Israel delivered 96 TOW missiles made in the US to Iran via arms dealer Manucher Ghorbanifar. Then, on 14 September 1985, an additional 408 TOW missiles were supplied. On September 15, 1985, after the second delivery, Reverend Benjamin Weir was freed by his captors, the Islamic Jihad Organization.
  • Challenger Shuttle Explosion

    Challenger Shuttle Explosion
    Consequently, following this disaster, NASA set up the Office of Safety, Reliability, and Quality Assurance, and planned to launch commercial satellites from expendable launch vehicles instead of a crewed orbiter.
  • Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster

    Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster
    In conclusion, the Chernobyl disaster initiated numerous national and international initiatives, resulting in significant enhancements to national and global protocols for nuclear emergency management and readiness, particularly regarding international communication and information sharing.
  • George H.W. Bush Elected President

    George H.W. Bush Elected President
    Bush, a Texas Republican and the sitting vice president for two terms under President Ronald Reagan, assumed office after his overwhelming win against Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis in the 1988 presidential election.
  • Mount. St. Helens Eruption

    Mount. St. Helens Eruption
    The eruption was the initial occurrence that genuinely highlighted the health impacts of volcanic ash to the public and resulted in increased research on volcanoes worldwide. Destruction of the Muddy River bridge crossing due to lahars from Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980.
  • Fall of the Berlin Wall

    Fall of the Berlin Wall
    The collapse of the Berlin Wall marked the initial move towards uniting Germany. In 1989, political shifts in Eastern Europe and civil disturbances in Germany compelled the East German government to ease certain travel restrictions to West Germany.
  • Start of the Persian Gulf War

    Start of the Persian Gulf War
    This was the first significant global crisis after the Cold War, and the response led by the U.S. would establish crucial precedents for military force usage in the following decades.
  • Original U.S.A. Olympic Basketball Dream Team

    Original U.S.A. Olympic Basketball Dream Team
    The Dream Team made Olympic history by being the first to achieve 100 points in every game, winning with an average margin of 43.8 points, which is the second highest, following the 1956 U.S. gold medal team (53.5).
  • Bill Clinton Elected President

    Bill Clinton Elected President
    Clinton won the presidency in the 1992 election, beating the sitting Republican president George H. W. Bush and independent businessman Ross Perot. He was the first president born during the Baby Boomer generation.
  • Rodney King Decision & L.A. Riots

    Rodney King Decision & L.A. Riots
    The 1991 recording of Rodney King's beating by L.A.P.D. officers, along with the riots that followed the officers' acquittal, shocked Los Angeles and the entire country. The incidents highlighted issues regarding racism and police violence within the L.A.P.D.
  • Launch of Google

    Launch of Google
    Google's goal is to arrange the global information and ensure it is universally available and beneficial. This is why Search facilitates the exploration of a diverse array of information from numerous sources.
  • Bill Clinton Impeached by the House of Representatives

    Bill Clinton Impeached by the House of Representatives
    The charges for which Clinton was impeached stemmed from a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Clinton by Paula Jones. During pre-trial discovery in the lawsuit, Clinton gave testimony denying that he had engaged in a sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky
  • World Trade Center/Pentagon/Shanksville, PA Attacks

    World Trade Center/Pentagon/Shanksville, PA Attacks
    The Twin Towers were the highlights of the complex. On September 11, 2001, the whole complex was obliterated in a terrorist assault that is now commonly called