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"Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
This phrase refers to Bill Clinton's approach to allowing members of the LGBTQ Community to serve in the armed forces. Clinton made a promise during his campaign to a gay rights group that he would work to lift the ban. Upon his election, he found himself having to uphold this promise despite much backlash. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," (Kruse and Zelizer, 206) was coined by the compromise that the ban would remain, given that military officials would not investigate anyone's sexual preferences. -
Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal
In 1995, President Bill Clinton began an affair with White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. Clinton had faced sexual harassment accusations before, but this affair was brought to light by former White House employee, Linda Tripp, who recorded audiotape proof (CNN 1998). Over the next few years, the rumor would spread, bringing Clinton to court. This case called for Clinton's impeachment trial, which ultimately ended in his acquittal in February of 1999 (Kruse and Zelizer 231). -
Oklahoma City Bombing
On April 19, 1995, two members of white nationalist groups, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, bombed the Alfred Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 168 people were killed and 600 were injured (Kruse and Zelizer, 220). Since this building was in close proximity to a daycare, many of the casualties were babies and children. These men were antigovernment radicals who acted out of hate in an attempt to make a statement. This attack sparked the discussion of terrorism in politics. -
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) permitted states not to recognize same sex marriages from other states and legally defined marriage as a heterosexual relationship (Kruse and Zelizer, 218). It was passed by the overwhelming majority and signed into law by Clinton, intentionally avoiding attention from the media. Conservatives believed that same-sex marriage threatened heterosexual marriage and violated the concept of marriage itself. -
Economic Success of the Stock Market
In 2000, the economy would see a surge in stocks on both the Dow Jones and the NASDAQ. The unemployment rate had been reduced to 3.8% (Kruse and Zelizer, 232). Clinton referred to this as a time of, "prosperity and social progress." This economic success promoted lifestyles of expensive, luxury goods. Since stock success mostly benefitted the upper class, income inequality became much more prevalent. This brought along the issue of economic insecurity for anyone but the upper class. -
International Space Station
On November 2, 2000, the International Space Station became fully operational (Harland, Encyclopedia Britannica 2024). Their first crew was made up of three astronauts who flew to the station via spacecraft. The implementation of the ISS laid the groundwork for its future operation and success. As technology expanded exponentially, there became a need for a long-term method of space exploration. The ISS would create a home base to house astronauts and space technology. -
9/11
On September 11, 2001, the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Virginia were attacked by members of the extremist group Al-Qaeda. The terrorists hijacked four airplanes with the intention of crashing into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. Passengers of the fourth plane fought back and crashed the plane in a field in Pennsylania (9/11 Memorial & Museum, 2023). This resulted in the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and a rise in security measures across the US. -
First Woman Speaker of the House
On January 4, 2007, Nancy Pelosi became the first woman to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives. This position put Pelosi second in line for the presidential order of succession, behind the Vice President (History.com, 2018). This is the closest that a woman has ever come to the presidency. Regardless of political stance, this was a major win for women across politics. She served as Speaker of the House from 2007-2011 and again from 2019-2023. -
Madoff Scandal
In March of 2009, Bernard Madoff plead guilty to running the largest Ponzi scheme in US history. The scheme had been running for about seventeen years. This financial fraud led investors to believe they were making a big profit when Madoff was actually paying out earlier investors with more recent investors' money. Madoff claimed $17 billion in assets (PBS, 2009). Later, in 2009, Madoff would be sentenced to 150 years in prison. -
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
On April 20, 2010, there was an explosion on a Deepwater Horizon oil rig, that caused the largest marine oil spill in US history (Britannica, 2024). This occurred off the coast of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico. An estimated 4,900,000 barrels of oil had leaked into the gulf before it had been stopped. The spill covered over 57,500 square miles of the gulf. This warranted cleanup efforts from the National Response Team. This spill greatly harmed the environment and surrounding ecosystems.