1980-2001

  • Regan's Beginning

    Ronald Reagan is inaugurated President.
  • Safety First

    President Reagan addresses the nation on national security and announces the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), a satellite-based defense system that would destroy incoming missiles and warheads in space.
  • Bush's Beginning

    George Bush is inaugurated President.
  • Cold War. Cold End.

    President Bush declares the end of the Cold War as the Soviet Union collapses.
  • Last One... BOOM!

    The United States conducts its last underground nuclear weapons test. Congress imposes a temporary moratorium on nuclear weapons testing.
  • Clinton's Beginning

    William Clinton is elected president.
  • Waste

    The Department of Energy announces that it will dispose of defense-generated transuranic waste at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in southeastern New Mexico.
  • Section 202

    Secretary Richardson, issues an order, pursuant to Section 202 (c) of the Federal Power Act, to require electricity generators and marketers to make power available in power-strapped California.