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Period: to
1995-2015
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Oklahoma City Bombing
The Oklahoma City bombing was carried out by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, who detonated a truck bomb outside a federal building, killing 168 people and injuring hundreds more. Motivated by anger at the U.S. government, their attack was one of the worst acts of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. It exposed internal threats, led to stronger anti-terror laws and security, and changed how Americans viewed terrorism, boosting Clinton’s political standing.(Kruse and Zelizer, 220) -
Amazon.com is launched
Amazon.com was launched by Jeff Bezos in July 1995 as an online bookstore. He came up with the idea in 1994 after reading about the rapid growth of the internet and left his job in finance to start the company from his garage in Seattle. Books were chosen because they were easy to ship and had a huge variety. The website quickly became popular, selling books across the U.S. and to dozens of countries in its first month. Amazon is now one of the biggest companies in the world. -
Dolly the sheep is cloned
Dolly the sheep, cloned in 1996 using DNA from an adult cell, was the first mammal created this way. Her creation proved that adult cells can produce a genetically identical animal, marking a major scientific breakthrough. It opened new paths in medicine, genetics, and animal breeding, and raised important ethical questions about cloning. -
Ellen DeGeneres Comes Out
Ellen DeGeneres coming out as gay in 1997 was a groundbreaking moment in TV history, as she became the first major sitcom star to do so, both personally and on her show Ellen. Despite facing backlash from conservative groups and the show's cancellation, her courage helped pave the way for more LGBTQ+ representation on TV, influencing shows like Will Grace and contributing to greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ people in the media.(Kruse and Zelizer 229) -
Creation of Google
Google was created in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, two Stanford graduate students who developed a unique search algorithm called PageRank as part of a research project. PageRank provided more relevant and accurate search results compared to other search engines. Google quickly gained popularity for its speed and effective results, leading to growth and investment, and eventually becoming one of the most influential tech companies in the world. -
9/11 attack
9/11 refers to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, when al-Qaeda hijacked four planes, crashing two into the World Trade Center towers in New York and one into the Pentagon. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers tried to overcome the hijackers. It resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths and significantly impacted U.S. foreign policy, security measures, and global anti-terrorism efforts. -
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina, which struck in August 2005, is one of the most devastating storms in U.S. history. It caused widespread destruction, especially in New Orleans, due to heavy flooding after levee failures. Over 1,000 people died, and thousands were displaced. The hurricane highlighted issues like poor disaster response, infrastructure failures, and the impact of climate change, making it a turning point in emergency preparedness and response planning. -
First iPhone is released
The first iPhone, released in 2007, was important because it changed mobile technology. It combined a phone, music player, and internet browser into one device with a simple touchscreen, removing physical buttons. This set the standard for future smartphones. Apple’s idea was to create a single device that did everything, changing how we communicate, work, and have fun. -
Barack Obama is elected
Barack Obama's election in 2008 was historic because he became the first African American president of the United States. His victory symbolized progress in race relations and showed that America had made significant strides toward equality. Obama's presidency also brought attention to issues like healthcare reform, economic recovery, and global diplomacy, marking a pivotal moment in U.S. history. His election was a powerful moment for diversity and change. -
Instagram is created
Instagram was created as a platform for sharing photos and videos, allowing users to connect and engage with others through visual content. It revolutionized how people communicate, express creativity, and share their lives. With features like Stories, Reels, and direct messaging, Instagram has become a powerful tool for individuals, influencers, businesses, and artists to build communities and promote brands globally.