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Ronald Reagan is inaugurated as the 40th president
Ronald Reagan is inaugurated as the 40th president; He is later shot in the chest by John Hinckley, Jr. -
Space shuttle Challenger explodes
Space shuttle Challenger explodes 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven crew members; It is the worst accident in the history of the U.S. space program. -
George H. W. Bush is inaugurated as the 41st president
George H. W. Bush is inaugurated as the 41st president; He later signs legislation to provide for federal bailout of nearly 800 insolvent savings and loan institutions on August 9th. -
Bill Clinton is inaugurated as the 42nd president
Bill Clinton is inaugurated as the 42nd president; House of Representatives votes to impeach him on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice on December 19th, 1998. -
Bombing of federal office building in Oklahoma City kills 168 people
Bombing of federal office building in Oklahoma City kills 168 people; The blast was set off by anti-government militant Timothy McVeigh, who in 2001 was executed for his crimes. -
George W. Bush is inaugurated as the 43rd president
George W. Bush is inaugurated as the 43rd president; His election provokes controversy after Supreme Court rules against ballot recount in certain Florida counties. -
Two hijacked jetliners ram twin towers of World Trade Center in worst terrorist attack against U.S.
Two hijacked jetliners ram twin towers of World Trade Center in worst terrorist attack against U.S.; a third hijacked plane flies into the Pentagon, and a fourth crashes in rural Pennsylvania. More than 3,000 people die in the attacks. -
U.S. and Britain launch air attacks against targets in Afghanistan
U.S. and Britain launch air attacks against targets in Afghanistan after Taliban government fails to hand over Saudi terrorist Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind behind the Sept. 11 attacks.