1980-2001

Mount St. Helens Explodes

Mar 27, 1980

A series of volcanic explosions and pyroclastic flows began at Mount St. Helens in Skamania County, Washington on March 27, 1980. The eruption had a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 5. It is often declared the most disastrous volcanic eruption in American history because it killed approximately 57 people and had over $1.1 billion in property damage.

First Woman Serves on the Supreme Court

Sep 25, 1981

Sandra O'Connor served as the first woman associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1981 to 2006.

Tax Reform Act of 1986

Oct 22, 1986

This act lowered the top tax rate for ordinary income from 50% to 28% and raised the bottom tax rate from 11% to 15%.

Gulf War

Jan 17, 1991

The Gulf War was a war waged by coalition forces from 35 nations led by the United States against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait arising from oil pricing and production disputes.

Dissolution of the Soviet Union

Dec 25, 1991

The Soviet Union perished due to radical reforms Mikhail Gorbachev had implemented during his time as president. This marked the official end of the Cold War.

27th Amendment Is Ratified

Jun 7, 1992

The 27th Amendment prohibits any law that increases or decreases the salary of members of Congress from taking effect until the start of representatives' next set of terms of office.

NAFTA

Jan 24, 1994

The North American Free Trade Agreement is a treaty made to eliminate all tariff and non-tariff barriers of trade and investment between the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Oklahoma City Bombing

Apr 19, 1995

The Oklahoma City bombing occurred when a truck packed with explosives was detonated outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people and leaving hundreds more injured.