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Oklahoma City Bombing
The bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building by Timothy McVeigh killed 168 people and injured hundreds more. It became the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history at the time and shifted attention to anti-government extremism. (Kruse and Zelizer, 181.) -
Clinton Impeachment
President Clinton was impeached for perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Though he was acquitted, the event deepened political polarization and mistrust in leadership. (Kruse and Zelizer, 209.) -
Bush v. Gore Supreme Court Case
The 2000 presidential election was decided by the Supreme Court, halting the Florida recount and giving George W. Bush the presidency. The decision raised concerns about voting systems and democratic fairness. (Kruse and Zelizer, 217.) -
September 11 Attacks
Coordinated terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people, leading to the War on Terror and reshaping U.S. foreign and domestic policy. The emotional and political aftermath united and divided the nation in different ways. -
Iraq War Begins
The U.S. invaded Iraq based on claims of weapons of mass destruction, which were never found. The war became controversial and costly, with long-term impacts on U.S. credibility abroad. (Kruse and Zelizer, 234.) -
Hurricane Katrina
Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, especially New Orleans. The slow and chaotic federal response exposed racial and economic inequalities and led to national outrage over government preparedness and priorities. -
Financial Crisis (Great Recession)
The collapse of Lehman Brothers triggered a global financial meltdown. Millions lost their jobs and homes, and the federal government stepped in with massive bailouts. The crisis shaped economic and political debates for years. (Kruse and Zelizer, 246.) -
Barack Obama Elected President
Obama became the first African American president, inspiring hope and symbolizing progress in race relations. His election also sparked resistance and helped polarize national politics in new ways. -
Affordable Care Act Passed
Often called “Obamacare,” the ACA was a major health care reform aimed at expanding coverage and reducing costs. It faced strong opposition and legal challenges, becoming a defining policy of the Obama era. -
Same-Sex Marriage Legalized
The Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. It marked a major victory for LGBTQ+ rights and reflected shifting public attitudes on equality.