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Period: to
1990s-2010s
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Nelson Mandela Released from Prison
Nelson Mandela, the iconic leader of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, was released from Victor Verster Prison on February 11, 1990. Mandela had spent 27 years in prison for his activism against a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination. His release marked a significant turning point in South African history, signaling the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era of reconciliation and democracy (Mandela, 1990). -
World Wide Web Goes Public
Time Berners-Lee made the World Wide Web, a system for accessing information over the internet, publicly available on August 6, 1991. This event marked the beginning of the modern Internet era, revolutionizing communication, commerce, and information sharing worldwide. Its development democratized access to information, empowering individuals and businesses. It laid the foundation for the digital age we live in today, shaping how we interact, learn, and conduct business (Berners-Lee, 1991). -
Kyoto Protocol Adoption
The Kyoto protocol, an international treaty, was adopted on December 11, 1997, during the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change conference held in Kyoto, Japan. The protocol set binding targets for developed countries to reduce their emissions of six greenhouse gases over a five-year commitment period. It represented a significant milestone in global efforts to address climate change by establishing a framework for international cooperation and action (UNFCCC, 1997). -
The Bush Tax Cut: A Monumental Shift in Economic Policy
President George W. Bush's administration mirror Ronald Reagan's economic playbook by enacting a substantial supply-side tax cut, signed into law on June 7, 2001. This tax reduction, amounting to a historic $1.35 trillion, represented the largest single tax cut in American history up to that point. It symbolized a continuation of Reagan-era economic policies, government spending, and the appropriate role of taxation in shaping economic outcomes (Kruse and Zelizer, 245). -
9/11 Attacks
On September 11, 2001, a series of terrorist attacks orchestrated by the extremist group al-Qaeda shocked the world as hijackers seized four commercial airplanes. Two planes crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in NYC, causing the collapse of both towers. Another plane struck the Pentagon, while the fourth crashed into as field in Pennsylvania. The attacks resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people (National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, 2004). -
Enron Scandal Unfolds
The Enron scandal, one of the largest corporate frauds in history, began to unravel on October 16, 2001. Enron, once considered one of America's most innovative companies, announced a staggering $638 million loss in the third quarter and a $1.2 billion reduction in shareholder equity. The collapse of Enron resulted in thousands of job losses, billions of dollars in investor losses, and significant damage to public trust in corporate governance and financial markets (PBS, n.d.). -
Euro Introduction
The Euro, the official currency of the Eurozone consisting of 19 of the 27 European Union member states, was introduced on January 1, 2002. This historic event marked the culmination of years of economic integration efforts in Europe and represented a significant milestone in European unification. It aimed to streamline financial transactions, facilitate trade and investment among member states, and promotes economic stability and growth within the Eurozone (European Central Bank, n.d.). -
Invasion of Iraq
On March 20, 2003, a United States-led coalition launched a military invasion of Iraq, marking the beginning of the Iraq War. The invasion was justified by the belief that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and posed a threat to international security. The invasion aimed to removed Saddam Hussein from power and dismantle his regime. The conflict resulted in the rapid defeat of Iraq forces, leading to the fall of Baghdad and the capture of Saddam Hussein by December 2003 (BBC, 2018). -
Human Genome Project Completes Mapping
On April 14, 2003, the Human Genome Project completed its goal of mapping the entire human genome. This monumental achievement, which involved an international collaboration of scientists from various countries, marked a significant milestone in the field of genetics and biotechnology. This breakthrough paved the way for advancements in personalized medicine, genetic research, and the diagnosis and treatment of genetic disorders (National Human Genome Research Institute, n.d.). -
Implementation of Bush's Compassionate Conservatism Vision
In April 2002, President Bush's administration outlined its vision of compassionate conservatism, aiming to address societal challenges such as education, poverty, and global health. This initiative was to translate compassionate conservatism into tangible policies, focusing on three key areas: the faith-based initiative, the No Child Left Behind Act, and the global initiative on HIV/AIDS (Kruse and Zelizer, 245).