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Timeline assignment
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Oklahoma City Bombing
This was a bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. This was the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history at the time, killing 168 people. This event is so significant because it shocked the nation and led to new counterterrorism measures. The Oklahoma City Bombing was a turning point for Americans in how they viewed threats from within the country. -
President Bill Clintons Impeachment
President Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives for lying under oath and obstructing justice during an investigation into his relationship with Monica Lewinsky. Although the Senate voted him not guilty a few months later, the scandal dominated the news and exposed how divided the country had become. This really showed how much media and politics were starting to go hand and hand. (Kruse and Zeilzer, 223) -
Supreme Court Decideds Bush v. Gore
After weeks of confusion with the results from the 2000 presidential election, the Supreme Court stopped the recount of votes and declared George W. Bush the winner. The court's decision was very controversial. It's significant because it altered people's views on the democratic system in our country, leading to divisions in the country. It also showed how much power the courts can have in deciding the outcome of an election. -
The 9/11 Attacks
Terrorists hijacked four airplanes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a field in Pennsylvania. Nearly 3,000 people were killed. The attacks were devastating for the nation and led to a global "War on Terror." This event is so significant because it changed how the American people saw national security, immigration, and even each other. This led to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, etc. (Kruse and Zeilzer, 249) -
U.S. Invades Iraq
The United States military invaded Iraq, claiming that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and ties to terrorism. Those weapons were never found, and the war ended up lasting for years, costing thousands of lives and billions of dollars. This event is important because it sparked intense debate at home and abroad about U.S. foreign policy. It also caused distrust in government and raised questions about truth, accountability, and America's role in the world. -
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina caused massive flooding in New Orleans when the city's levees broke due to the pressure of the storm. Over 1,800 people died, and poor black communities were hit the hardest. The government had a slow response to all of this, which shocked Americans. This is important because it revealed how unprepared the government was for a major disaster and exposed racial and economic inequalities that had been ignored. Many Americans began to question who the system worked for. -
Facebook is Opened to the Public which brings a rise to social media
When Facebook opened to everyone 13 and older in 2006, it marked the start of a new era in how people communicate. Platforms like Twitter and YouTube quickly followed, and by the early 2010s, social media was central to how Americans shared news, built communities, and expressed themselves.
This event is significant because it changed how we interact with information and each other. It created new opportunities but also new challenges like misinformation, online bullying, etc. -
Barak Obama Elected President
In 2008, Barack Obama was elected the first Black president of the United States. His message of “hope and change” energized millions of voters, especially young people and people of color.
This is important because it was seen by many as a sign of progress in America’s long struggle with racism. It also sparked backlash from others, showing that issues of race and identity were far from resolved, and caused a political divide in the country with his creation of Obamacare. -
Affordable Care Act (ACA) AKA Obamacare
President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law in 2010. The goal was to make healthcare more affordable and accessible by expanding insurance coverage, especially for people with low incomes or pre-existing conditions.
This is important because it brought major changes to the U.S. healthcare system and sparked intense political debate. Supporters saw it as a step toward fairness, while opponents viewed it as government overreach, setting off years of legal and political battles. -
Osama bin Laden is Killed
The U.S. Navy SEALs located and killed Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaeda leader behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This took place in Pakistan and was kept secret until it was successfully completed.
This event is significant because it gave Americans a sense of closure nearly a decade after 9/11. It also raised questions about international law, U.S. military power, and the long-term effects of the War on Terror.