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27th Amendment Ratified
The 27th Amendment addresses congressional pay rises and forbids any bill that raises or lowers the salaries of members of Congress from taking effect until the beginning of the next set of terms of office for representatives. The amendment was first presented in 1789 but lacked support from the required number of state legislatures, as it needed to be passed by 3/4 of the states. (“27th Amendment - Changes in Pay for Members of Congress"). -
The U.S Government Shutdown
The US government was shutdown in 1995. this was an important political event that occurred during President Bill Clinton's first term in office. The closure was the consequence of a budget dispute between the Democratic President and the Republican-controlled Congress. The government shutdown began on November 14, 1995, and lasted for 21 days (Hendrix, Steve, and Aaron Wiener). -
President Clinton Signs the DOMA
In 1996, the United States was embroiled in a heated debate over same-sex marriage. In response, President Bill Clinton enacted the DOMA into legislation. The Defense of Marriage Act established marriage as a legal relationship between one man and one woman.The act had important repercussions for same-sex couples since it prohibited them from enjoying government benefits and protections that were accessible to opposite-sex spouses. (“Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)”). -
President Clinton Impeached
President Clinton's impeachment began with his romance with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. The scandal was a major embarrassment for the President and his administration, prompting a number of inquiries by the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives decided to impeach President Clinton for perjury and obstruction of justice. ("Kruse and Zelizer, 224-.”). -
Shooting at Columbine High School
Two students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, carried out a shooting at Columbine High School in Columbine, Colorado. This tragic attack killed 13 individuals and injured 21 others. The two students planned and carried out the shooting using a range of weapons, including guns, bombs, and explosives. It was one of the deadliest school shootings in American history, drawing attention to the subject of school safety and gun regulation. (“Columbine High School Shooting: Victims & Killers".) -
9/11 Terrorist Attacks
A group of hijackers from the Islamic extremist group Al-Qaeda carried out the attack. They hijacked four commercial airplanes, two of which were flown into the World Trade Center's Twin Towers, one into the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed in a field. These events triggered a profound shift in global politics, with many countries strengthening security measures and boosting collaboration in the fight against terrorism. ("Kruse and Zelizer, 243-.”) -
The United States Invades Iraq
The US invasion of Iraq in 2003 has significant consequences for both the Middle East and the global political scene.The invasion's principal goal was to remove Iraq's dictatorial leadership and identify and destroy any weapons of mass destruction that the country was suspected of harboring. The operation was named Operation Iraqi Freedom, and it was led by the US military under the command of General Tommy Franks (“Iraq War"). -
Mark Zucherberg Launches Facebook
A young programmer, Mark Zuckerberg, launched a new social media platform called Facebook, February of 2004. The concept behind Facebook was to establish a social networking platform that would allow individuals to connect and communicate with one another online. It has changed the way people communicate and connect with each other, and it has given rise to new forms of online activism and social movements (“Facebook Launches”). -
Hurricane Katrina
The 2005 hurricaneKatrina was one of the deadliest and most catastrophic hurricanes to ever hit the United States. This natural disaster killed more than 1,800 people. Katrina was noted not only for the dead toll and destruction, but also for its economic impact. Also, the response of the government, particularly was heavily criticized for its slow response to the disaster (“Hurricane Katrina - Facts, Affected Areas & Lives Lost”). -
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
The Deepwater Horizon oil leak happened when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, resulting in a large oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The disaster lasted 87 days, releasing nearly 200 million gallons of oil into the water. It damaged almost 1,000 kilometers of shoreline, killed marine life, and caused long-term environmental harm. The spill also affected the fishing and tourism industries in the area (“Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill”).