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Clinton's Affair with Lewinsky
President Bill Clinton had an affair with a 22-year-old intern named Monica Lewinsky. Their relationship was discovered from a phone-taped conversation Lewinsky had in which she spoke of giving Clinton oral sex. Bill Clinton went on to be impeached. I chose this event because it was another infamous example of why people mistrust the government. It makes sense why the government is seen in a negative light. They always try to cover things up. (Kruse and Zelizer, 228). -
Creation of Netflix
The creation of Netflix was revolutionary for the future of media. Beginning as a DVD rental company that mailed selections of movies and shows, Netflix expanded to become a streaming service with a subscription. Netflix has changed the movie industry forever. Now, instead of going to the movies, using a DVR, or using cable, most people just use Netflix. Netflix has become one of the most popular streaming platforms in our modern age. -
Creation of Google
Google was originally a project at Stanford University by Larry Page and Sergey Brin. It was called "BackRub". The purpose was the scan the internet links and find which was most important and relevant. Today, Google serves the same purpose relatively. It gives the best, more useful information. Google has changed the way we research and gain information. Google the company, has even expanded to other services such as creating phones and Google Assistant. -
Columbine High School Shooting
Two students at Columbine High School in Colorado killed 13 people. At the time, this was the deadliest mass shooting at a school in the US. Police were slow to enter the school and take care of the situation. This changed the police tactics in responding to school shootings. I chose this event because it was used as an example for others to recreate. There was an uprising in school shootings ever since and affecting many Americans. -
9/11 Terror Attacks
The 9/11 attacks were a horrific day in the US. Al-Queda terrorists hijacked four planes, crashing 2 into the NY World Trade Centers, 1 into the Pentagon, and 1 in a field in Pennsylvania (intended for the Capitol). This was orchestrated by Osama Bin Laden. 2,996 people died, and thousands were injured. Despite this event being horrific, it brought people together, bringing a sense of pride and patriotism to America. It also changed security in America (TSA). (Kruse and Zelizer, 249) -
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Afghan War
The Afghan War broke out after 9/11. Al-Qaeda, which was responsible for 9/11, was based in Afghanistan. The Taliban were protecting Osama Bin Laden from the US. This meant the US fought both the Taliban and Al-Qaeda forces. The purpose of the war was to eliminate the terror groups to prevent future attacks. As a result, the US military spent 20 years there losing hundreds of thousands of soldiers. I chose this event because of its more modern impact on US families and its ties to 9/11. -
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Iraq War
The Iraq War began due to the US's belief in Iraq's WMD and links to terrorism. Along with this, the US held a major interest in their oil. This war also had a major impact on the public opinion of the US government, as there was no WMD found, and along with this, it created a major rise in extremist groups. It was also very expensive monetarily and humanely. I chose this event because of the effect it had on our troops. It also costs so much money for almost nothing. -
Creation of Youtube
YouTube, being created, completely changed the world in many ways. Starting as an online dating site in which you upload videos of yourself talking, the founders of YouTube saw greater potential in broadening YouTube to become a video-sharing platform. YouTube has revolutionized media. Today, we have influencers who started their careers on YouTube. Along with this, we now have YouTube TV, which includes live streaming. YouTube is also a great way to get news. It changed the world socially. -
Apple Introduces the Iphone
The iPhone changed technology forever. Being the first phone that was touchscreen, allowing a multitude of apps, and essentially being a mini personal computer. At the time, all other phones were flip phones. This revolutionized the phone industry. Today, it has evolved to have face scanning technology as well as fingerprint Scanning. It is a piece of technology that is essential to nearly everyone's lives. Without the iPhone, the world would look significantly different. -
Killing of Osama bin Laden
Osama Bin Laden was the leader of Al-Qaeda and the orchestrator of 9/11. The US had finally tracked down Bin Laden after decades of searching for him. The SEAL team broke into his compound in Pakistan in the middle of the night and killed him. This was a major weight off the US's shoulders. People sang and cheered as they had finally gotten revenge for 9/11. I picked this event because it is something that is still talked about and celebrated today, and overall was major because of 9/11. -
Sandy Hook School Shooting
20-year-old Adam Lanza walked into Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, CT. Lanza killed 20 children and 6 adults. Adam was mentally challenged, struggling with autism nd sever OCD. He left notes about his problems, and no one ever picked up on these issues. I chose this event because it was so close to home here in CT, but it also raised a lot of questions about gun rights and gun safety, which are very prevalent today. -
Boston Marathon Bombings
2 brothers of Russian and Kyrgyz descent plotted a terrorist attack against the United States. Both brothers believed in radical Islam. The brothers made homemade bombs in pressure cookers and put them into backpacks. They then disguised themselves as civilians and headed to the crowded Boston Marathon. The brothers dispersed and placed their backpacks in different locations. They then detonated the bomb, killing 3 p3opl3 and injuring 500. They were then in a 3 day manhunt. -
Uprise of ISIS
Abu Bakr al Baghdadi claimed the caliphate of the worldwide Muslim community. He renamed the Caliphate "ISIS". The Caliphate stretched from Syria to Iraq. That group caused major havoc in America. They posted propaganda online and radicalized many people around the world. ISIS was a result of many domestic terrorist attacks in the US, specifically at an Orlando nightclub in 2016, where an ISIS follower killed 49 people and injured 53. The US would combat ISIS, minimizing its threat.