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Period: to
Late 90s into 2000's
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Oklahoma City Bombing
Timothy McVeigh and his accomplice Terry Nichols, both ex-military members, detonated a truck bomb outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April 1995, killing 168 people. They were subsequently tried in 1997 and McVay was sentenced to death and Nichols was sentenced to life in prison. I felt this was important as it highlights an increasingly anti-government sentiment in the 90s from certain groups, similarly to the actions in Waco, Texas. (Learned in class) -
Columbine Shooting
The Columbine shooting was a school massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado. Two students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 13 people (12 other students and 1 teacher), and wounded over 20 before taking their own lives. I decided to include this because Columbine would change police tactics in the future, and this is an event that is still relative today.Leading up to and including Columbine police did not enter the school building while shooters were active. (Learned in class) -
US withdraw support of Kyoto Protocal
The Kyoto Protocol was an international treaty adopted in 1997 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aiming to combat climate change. Bush withdrew US support for the Kyoto Protocol primarily due to concerns about its economic impact on the U.S. and the perceived unfairness of the agreement. I chose this due to the ever growing awareness of climate change still today, and the similarity of US opposing agreeements that they feel doesn't benifit them. (Kruse and Zelizer, 244). -
9/11 terrorist attacks
There were four hijacked planes, 2 hit the world trade center, 1 hit the pentagon, 1 crashed into a field. This largely dampened the Bush administration as their agenda shifts to a war on terrorism. Al-Qaeda will take responsibility for these attacks and the hunt for Bin Laden will begin. Bush will give the “Axis of Evil” speech announcing the measures the US will preventively take. I chose this due to the effect this had on the bush administrations political agenda, and the effect it has today. -
Rise of Social Media
TheFacebook Is officially launched in 2004 with Twitter following soon after. This sets the framework for complete re-brand of online connection. Ideas would grow and develop overtime, making these platforms more and more insightful on personal life. I chose this due to its relevance and ever-growing use today. Now, its hard to imagine what life would be like without social media, and it's tough to remember the last time it wasn't a crucial piece of our society. (Learned in class) -
Hamdan vs Rumsfeld
Hamdan vs Rumsfeld was a 2006 Supreme Court case that ruled that the Bush administration's use of military commissions to try terrorist suspects violated the U.S. Code of Military Justice and Geneva Conventions. I chose this because it showed that military commissions must follow U.S. and international law. (Kruse and Zelizer, 285). -
2008 Financial Crisis
Severe global economic crisis triggered by the collapse of the US housing market and the subsequent unraveling of the financial system. The crisis led to the Great Recession, a period of significant economic decline defined by major job losses. I Included this event because it was the most severe downturn since the 1929 Wall Street crash and Great Depression. (Britannica) -
Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
US health care reform law enacted in 2010. It was aimed at expanding health insurance coverage, controlling healthcare costs, and improving the quality of care. The law created state-based health insurance exchanges where individuals and small businesses could purchase health insurance plans that meet specific standards. I chose this event because the ACA is widely considered the most significant health care reform since Medicare. (Britannica) -
Bin Ladin Assassination
The assassination of Osama bin Laden occurred during a U.S. Navy Seal Team 6 raid in Pakistan. As the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, his death marked a major victory in the War on Terror. It symbolized justice for victims and impacted global counterterrorism efforts and U.S.-Pakistan relations. I chose this because I feel this a defining moment for the Obama adminisration and felt like a major moment broadcasted around the country.(FBI.Gov) -
Boston Marathon Bombings
A pair of improvised explosive devices detonated near the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon by brothers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev. Dzhokhar would recieve the death penalty in the subsequent trial period. The bombing resulted in three deaths and injured over 260 others. I picked this because it is considered one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the U.S. since the 9/11 attacks. (FBI.Gov)