1980-2001

By angsli

  • Mount St. Helen Eruption

    One of the largest landslides to ever occur was triggered by the deadly eruption of Mount St. Helen in Seattle, Wahington. The ash plume reached a height of 80,000 feet. Due to the eruption, 57 people died.

  • Ronald Reagan

    Ronald Reagan was inaugurated into office as the 40th president of the United States of America. However, 69 days later, he was shot but later recovered. His main goal in foreign policy was "peace through strength".

  • First Female Supreme Court Justice

    Sandra O'Connor became the first female Supreme Court Justice. She was elected by President Ronald Reagan. She served until 2006. Later on, Barack Obama awarded her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her accomplishments.

  • The Challenger Explodes

    At 11:48 a.m. the space shuttle the Challenger lifted off from Carnival, carrying high school teacher Christa McAuliffe and six other members. She had won her spot by entering a competition. After only 73 seconds later, the shuttle explodes.

  • End of the Cold War

    The Soviet Union gave away Cuba, and the regime was dissolved. The Iron Curtain was listed, as well as the Berlin Wall, opening up the borders. Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and President George W. Bush shook hands to declare the end of the Cold War.

  • NAFTA

    The North American Free Trade Agreement was signed by President Bill Clinton. This was a trade pact between America, Mexico, and Canada that eliminated all tariffs and restrictions between the nations. It took effect on January 1, making the world's largest free trade zone.

  • Oklahoma City Bombing

    In a truck parked outside the Alfred P. Murrah Building in downtown Oklahoma City, was a homemade bomb made by Timothy McVeigh. When the bomb went off, more than 300 buildings were destroyed and 168 people died. It was the worst act of terrorism in American history before 9/11.

  • 9/11

    19 people affiliated with the Islamic extremist group Al Quaeda hijacked four airplanes to carry out attacks in America. Two planes hit the twin towers in New York. One plane hit the Pentagon in Virginia/Washington D.C. The last plane hit a field in Pennsylvania. This attack devastatingly took almost 3,000 people's lives.