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American Hostages
The U.S. makes an abortive attempt to rescue American hostages held in Iran since November 1979. -
John Lennon killed
Singer John Lennon is assassinated by a deranged gunman in front of his New York City apartment. -
Attempted assassination of Ronald Regan
A deranged fan makes an unsuccessful assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, injuring Reagan, press secretary James Brady (1940–2014), and a policeman. -
Thriller
24-year-old pop star Michael Jackson releases his best-selling album "Thriller." -
Challenger Explodes
On the way for its 9th mission to space, the shuttle Challenger explodes over Cape Canaveral, killing all seven astronauts aboard, including the civilian social studies teacher Christa McAuliffe. -
First World Aids Day
The first annual World AIDS Day is held -
Colin Powell
General Colin Powell is nominated to head the Joint Chiefs of Staff, becoming the first African-American to hold that position. -
Largest Theft in the US
The largest art theft in U.S. history occurs in Boston, Massachusetts, when two thieves posing as policemen abscond more than one dozen works of art worth an estimated $100-200 million from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museu -
$20 Billion loan to Mexico
U.S. President Bill Clinton invokes emergency powers to extend a $20 billion loan to Mexico to avert a financial disaster that had begun on December 19, 1994 during a planned exchange rate correction between the Mexican peso and American dollar -
The Simpsons
The Simpsons, a ribald cartoon about a family of misfits, becomes the longest running prime-time cartoon television series in history, surpassing the Flintstones. -
Monica and Bill
The Monica Lewinsky scandal begins when U.S. President Bill Clinton denies his relationship with the White House intern in a televised interview. This denial, and other denials to a grand jury investigation, would lead to the impeachment of the president. -
Catastrophic Tornadoes in Oklahoma
A series of tornadoes strikes Oklahoma, including an F5 category storm that slams Oklahoma City, killing thirty-eight. The fastest wind speed ever recorded on earth is measured by scientists at 509 km (318 mph) during this tornado. -
Hillary Clinton wins seat
Hillary Rodham Clinton wins a seat for the United States Senate from New York. It is the first time a former First Lady wins public office. -
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods becomes the first golfer to hold all four major golf titles simultaneously by winning the Master's tournament in Augusta, Georgia. This followed a remarkable run in 2000 when Woods claimed victory at the final three majors of that season; the U.S. Open, the British Open, and the PGA Championship. -
September 11
In response to the tragedy of September 11, the United States military, with participation from its ally the United Kingdom, commence the first attack in the War on Terrorism on the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. By November 12, the Taliban government leaves the capital, Kabul.