1980-2001

Carter vs Reagan

Oct 28, 1980

U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan debate in Cleveland, Ohio. Reagan's genial, witty performance causes him to overtake Carter in the polls.

Reagan Defeats Carter

Nov 4, 1980

Republican challenger and former Governor Ronald Reagan of California defeats incumbent Democratic President Jimmy Carter, exactly one year after the beginning of the Iran hostage crisis.

Ronald Reagan Becomes The 40th President

Jan 20, 1981

Ronald Reagan is sworn in as the 40th President of the United States, and George H. W. Bush is sworn in as Vice President of the United States.

Iran Surrenders

Jan 20, 1981

Iran releases the 52 Americans held for 444 days, ending the Iran hostage crisis.

Reagan Almost Assassinated

Mar 30, 1981

U.S. President Ronald Reagan is shot in the chest outside a Washington, D.C., hotel by John Hinckley Jr. Two police officers and Press Secretary James Brady are also wounded.

The Star Wars Proposal

Mar 23, 1983

Strategic Defense Initiative: U.S. President Ronald Reagan makes his initial proposal to develop technology to intercept enemy missiles. The media dub this plan "Star Wars".

Reagans Second Landslide

Nov 6, 1984

Ronald Reagan defeats Walter F. Mondale with 59% of the popular vote, the highest since Richard Nixon's 61% victory in 1972. Reagan carries 49 states in the electoral college; Mondale wins only his home state of Minnesota by a mere 3,761 vote margin and the District of Columbia.

Reagan begins His Second Term

Jan 21, 1985

President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George H. W. Bush are sworn in for a second term in office.

Reagan And Gorbachev Meet

Nov 19, 1985

In Geneva, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev meet for the first time.

"Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall!"

Jun 12, 1987

During a visit to Berlin, Germany, U.S. President Ronald Reagan challenges Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall.

George H. W. Bush Wins The Election

Nov 8, 1988

George H. W. Bush is elected as 41st President of the United States over Democratic opponent, Michael Dukakis.

George H. W. Bush Becomes The 41st President

Jan 20, 1989

George H. W. Bush is sworn in as the 41st President of the United States, and Dan Quayle is sworn in as Vice President of the United States.

The Wall Is Destroyed

Nov 9, 1989

The Berlin Wall is brought down.

Bill Clinton Becomes The 42nd President

Jan 20, 1993

Bill Clinton is sworn in as the 42nd President of the United States, and Al Gore is sworn in as Vice President of the United States.

Clinton Strikes

Jun 27, 1993

U.S. President Bill Clinton orders a cruise missile attack on Iraqi intelligence headquarters in the Al-Mansur District of Baghdad, in response to the attempted assassination of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush during his visit to Kuwait in mid-April.

Clinton Makes Deals

Jan 14, 1994

U.S. President Bill Clinton and Russian President Boris Yeltsin sign the Kremlin accords, which stop the preprogrammed aiming of nuclear missiles toward each country's targets, and also provide for the dismantling of the nuclear arsenal in Ukraine.

Amazon Is Founded

Jul 5, 1994

Amazon is founded by Jeff Bezos.

The Oklahoma City Bombing

Apr 19, 1995

168 people, including eight Federal Marshals and 19 children, are killed at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Timothy McVeigh and one of his accomplices, Terry Nichols, set off the bomb.

1996 Presidential election

Nov 5, 1995

Democratic incumbent Bill Clinton defeats Republican challenger Bob Dole to win his second term. This election had the lowest voter turnout since 1924.

Clinton Begins His Second Term

Jan 20, 1997

President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore begin their second term.

The Bombings of The United States Embassies

Aug 7, 1998

The bombings of the United States embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya kill 224 people and injure over 4,500; they are linked to terrorist Osama bin Laden, an exile of Saudi Arabia.

Monica Lewinsky Scandal

Aug 17, 1998

U.S. President Bill Clinton admits in taped testimony that he had an "improper physical relationship" with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

Could This Be The End of Clinton?

Dec 19, 1998

President Bill Clinton is impeached by the United States House of Representatives.

Presidential Election of 2000

Nov 7, 2000

Republican candidate Texas Governor George W. Bush defeats Democratic Vice President Al Gore in the closest election in history, but the outcome is not known for over a month because of disputed votes in Florida.

Hillary Makes History

Nov 7, 2000

Hillary Clinton is elected to the United States Senate, becoming the first First Lady of the United States to win public office.

It Is Official!

Dec 12, 2000

The U.S. Supreme Court overturns the ruling by the Florida Supreme Court, ending the recount and effectively giving the state, and the Presidency, to Texas Governor George W. Bush.[6] The following day, U.S. Vice President Al Gore concedes the election and suspends the activities of his recount committee.

George W. Bush Becomes The 43rd President

Jan 20, 2001

George W. Bush is sworn in as the 43rd President of the United States, and Dick Cheney is sworn in as Vice President of the United States.

The PATRIOT Act Is Established

Oct 26, 2001

U.S. President George W. Bush signs the USA PATRIOT Act into law.