1980-2001

  • Iran Releases Hostages

    The Iran hostage crisis negotiations were negotiations in 1980 and 1981 between the United States Government and the Iranian Government to end the Iranian hostage crisis. The 52 American hostages, seized from the US Embassy in Tehran in November 1979, were finally released on 20 January 1981.
  • Mt Saint Helen's Eruption

    On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens became the largest volcanic eruption. By the end of its cycle of fire and fury, 57 people had died.
  • 1980 Summer Olympics Boycott

    US boycotts 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow to protest against 1979 invasion of Afghanistan
  • 1980 US Presidential Election

    Reagan won the presidential election
  • John Lennon

    John Lennon, a member of the Beatles, was assassinated
  • MTV

    MTV: Music Television goes on the air for the first time ever, with the words “Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll.
  • First female member

    Sandra Day Oconner is the first female member of the Supreme Court.
  • Beirut barracks bombing

    two truck bombs struck buildings in Beirut, Lebanon, housing American and French service members of the Multinational Force in Lebanon killing 307 people
  • Mini-Vans

    The Dodge Caravan and the Plymoth voager are released to the public as 1984 models.
  • Presidential Election 1984

    Reagan won 525-13 making this his second term
  • Nintendo Entertainment System

    The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console, which released in North America
  • Challenger Crash

    The space shuttle Challenger exploded during lift off, killing all on board including school teacher Christa McAuliffe.
  • FOX

    First major network to host nightly programming
  • Tax Reform Act

    The act was designed to simplify the federal income tax code and broaden the tax base by eliminating many tax deductions and tax shelters.
  • Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

    Agreement between US and USSR. Limits ground intermediate range nuclear weapons
  • 1988 Presidential Election

    George H.W. Bush wins 426-111
  • San Francisco Earthquake

    63 people were killed and thousands were left homeless.
  • Cold War Ends

    George W Bush declares the Cold War to be over
  • USSR Is Dissolved

    The Cold War officially ends when the USSR is dissolved.
  • 27th Amendment

    Prohibits changes in Congressional salaries to take effect until after the next election cycle.
  • 1992 Presidential Election

    Clinton defeats George W Bush, winning the election
  • Storm of the Century

    300 people are dead after one of the worst blizzards in history hits the East Coast
  • DADT

    Act which prohibits homosexual people from serving in the US armed forces.
  • Oklahoma Bombing

    The Oklahoma City Bombing was an attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City
  • Lewinsky Scandal

    Scandal that alleged that Bill Clinton had sexual contact with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. This took place during 1995-1997 and came to light in 1998
  • Centennial Olympic Park Bombing

    The bombing occurred during the 1996 summer Olympics in Atlanta. Killing two leaving 111 injured
  • Columbine School Shooting

    The fourth deadliest school shooting in US history.
  • 2000 Presidential Election

    Republican candidate George W. Bush wins the election
  • Terrorist Attacks

    four airplanes were hijacked and two destroyed the twin towers in NYC, one crashed into the Pentagon, and the fourth was crashed in a field in PA after the passengers on board took over the aircraft.