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Period: to
Timespan 1995-2015
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Oklahoma City Bombing
White nationalists Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols parked a bombed truck outside the Alfred Murrah Federal Building, where the bombs exploded and destroyed many buildings, killed 168 people, and injured 600. The bombing raised awareness for terrorism and antigovernment militias, which led President Clinton to push for antiterrorism laws and preserving the power of the U.S. federal government, eventually passing the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (Kruse and Zelizer 220). -
Creation of Fox News Channel
Fox News was the first right-wing news channel that challenged left-wing news channels (ABC, NBC, CBS). Fox took off as it broadcasted Clinton's affair and scandals. Since Fox was the only channel to broadcast presidential fundraisers live in 1997, Fox gained popularity and eventually launched new programs and hired new talent such as John Gibson, which encouraged House Republicans to pass articles of impeachment against Clinton. This marked the rise of news media. (Kruse and Zelizer 224-227). -
President Clinton: Impeached
President Bill Clinton became the second U.S. president to be impeached after he was reelected for his second term. Clinton was accused of sexually harassing Paula Jones and engaging in an affair with Monica Lewinsky, which he later was found guilty for lying about under oath. The House released two articles of impeachment for perjury, one for obstructing justice, and one for abuse of office. Clinton was acquitted, but was able to finish his second term in office (Library of Congress). -
Battle for Florida: Bush v. Gore election
The election between George Bush and Al Gore was so close that Florida was the dealbreaker. Many disputes took place over the number of voting ballots. The "butterfly ballot" allowed 3,000 Jewish retirees to vote for a third-party candidate. Florida secretary of state prohibited 48,000 ex-felons from voting, which led to issues regarding people with similar names who were also striped of their voting rights. After many recounts, Bush won Florida and the entire election (Kruse and Zelizer 241).