-
Oklahoma City Bombing
A huge truck bomb exploded outside a Federal Building in Oklahoma City. It was planted by Timothy McVeigh, a Gulf War veteran who was angry at the federal government. The blast killed 168 people, including children in a daycare center. It shocked the nation and was the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in history at that time. This tragedy revealed the threat of homegrown terrorism and raised concerns about the influence of far-right and anti-government groups. (Kruse and Zelizer, 203–204). -
Welfare Reform Becomes Law
President Bill Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, a major change to America’s welfare system. The new law placed time limits on how long people could receive welfare and required them to find work. While it reduced the number of people on welfare, critics said it didn’t address the root causes of poverty. This showed how even Democrats were shifting toward more conservative policies on poverty and government assistance.(Kruse and Zelizer, 206–207) -
Clinton Impeached
After a long investigation, President Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives for lying under oath and obstructing justice about his relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. He admitted to the affair but denied any criminal wrongdoing. The Senate held a trial but did not remove him from office. This was only the second time a U.S. president had been impeached. It showed how partisan politics and personal scandals had become major forces. (Kruse and Zelizer, 213–216) -
Bush v. Gore Supreme Court Ruling
The presidential election between Bush and Al Gore came down to a recount in Florida. The Supreme Court eventually stopped the recount, awarding the presidency to Bush, even though Gore won the popular vote. The decision was controversial and left many feeling like their votes didn’t matter. This case changed the way people viewed elections and the power of the Supreme Court. It also showed how political fights could affect the fairness of the democratic process.(Kruse and Zelizer, 217-220) -
9/11 Terrorist Attacks
Terrorists from the group al-Qaeda hijacked four airplanes. Two crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City, one hit the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and one crashed in a Pennsylvania field after passengers fought back. Nearly 3,000 people died. The attacks led to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. 9/11 was a turning point in U.S. history. It brought Americans together at first, but also started decades of military conflict and increased fear and surveillance at home. (Kruse and Zelizer, 222–224) -
USA PATRIOT Act Passed
In response to 9/11, Congress passed the PATRIOT Act. It gave the government new powers to monitor people and gather intelligence to prevent future terrorist attacks. Many Americans supported the law at first, but over time, people became worried about how much the government could spy on citizens. The PATRIOT Act changed how the U.S. balances safety and personal freedom. It showed how far the country was willing to go to protect itself from future threats. (Kruse and Zelizer, 226) -
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast, causing major flooding in New Orleans when the levees broke. Thousands of people were stranded, and emergency help was slow to arrive. Most of the people affected were poor and Black. The images of suffering shocked the nation. The disaster showed how unequal disaster response could be in America. It also raised questions about race, class, and the government’s role in protecting citizens. (Kruse and Zelizer, 234–236) -
Barack Obama Elected President
Barack Obama made history by becoming the first Black president of the United States. His campaign focused on hope, change, and unity. Many Americans saw his win as proof that the country was becoming more inclusive, while others were nervous about what his presidency would mean. Obama’s election was a major milestone, but it also revealed how divided the country still was when it came to race and politics. (Kruse and Zelizer, 245–248) -
Affordable Care Act Becomes Law
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as “Obamacare,” was signed into law to help more Americans get health insurance. It made it illegal for insurance companies to deny people coverage because of pre-existing conditions and helped lower-income people afford insurance. The ACA was the biggest change to health care in decades, but it became one of the most controversial laws and showed how divided Americans were on what the government should do. (Kruse and Zelizer, 252–255) -
Same-Sex Marriage Legalized
In the Obergefell v. Hodges decision, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples had the constitutional right to get married in all 50 states. The decision came after years of legal battles and changing public opinion. This decision was a huge step forward for LGBTQ+ rights and showed how social values in America were evolving.