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Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence, once seen as a niche for technical jobs, is now integrated into daily life through tools like ChatGPT. AI is used in various areas, including shopping with review summaries and healthcare with systems like OverJet, which analyzes X-rays for discrepancies. It's a fascinating and pervasive technology . "Current AI technology actually dates back to the 1950s; the big change after 2000 was more data" ("How Ai Changed"). Image: “What Is Real AI?” -
George W. Bush
George W. Bush was elected president in the 2000 presidential election. His campaign promised "compassionate conservatism" domestically and fewer international interventions, but this stance changed following the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent "war on terror." His presidency was marked by tax cuts, education reform, and a focus on homeland security (Corbett). Image: "President-elect George W. Bush Portrait" -
9/11
9/11 is a day many Americans have ingrained in their memory and will never forget. On that day, two airplanes were flown into the Twin Towers, another into the Pentagon, and a fourth plane, intended for the White House, was brought down by passengers. Hundreds of lives were lost, including those of passengers, civilians, and local firefighters and police officers (Corbett). Image: Reuters -
Invasion of Afghanistan
President Bush declared a war on terrorism following the 9/11 attacks, which were orchestrated by al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, a wealthy Saudi Arabian who planned the attack from Afghanistan. Bush ordered the Taliban, the rulers of Afghanistan, to either hand over bin Laden or face an attack from the United States (Corbett). Image: “Army Soldiers" -
Gaiaonline/ MySpace
Social platforms like MySpace and Gaia Online were created in 2003, which I have used (“‘The Creation, Rise, and Fall of MySpace’”). These platforms helped connect with friends and share media content. As they became more popular, concerns about online privacy and regulations were brought to attention (Gaia Online). Image: “Gaia Online.” -
Invasion of Iraq
The invasion of Iraq in 2003 followed deteriorating relations since the Gulf War. Concerns about Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction and growing tensions led to this conflict. The invasion resulted in the removal and death of Saddam Hussein, who was the president of Iraq at the time. His regime was marked by violence and political, social, and economic struggles (Corbett). Image: "Iraq war" -
YouTube
YouTube was created by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim in 2005. It has greatly impacted society by changing how people consume entertainment online. While some information can be negative, YouTube also offers abundant educational content. Today, people can learn DIY home projects, make puppets, or watch others play video games. The variety is endless and fascinating ("Community Guidelines"). Image: Community Guidelines -
The Great Recession
The Great Recession began in 2007, characterized by a housing boom fueled by risky and misleading subprime mortgages and a failing bond market (Corbett). Image: "Great Recession" -
iPhone
The iPhone was introduced in 2007 by Steve Jobs, and marketed as a computer at your fingertips. It revolutionized the market, redefining what a cellular device could accomplish beyond just calling and texting (Timeline of the iPhone). Image: Manzan -
Barack Obama
Barack Obama was elected as the 44th president of the United States during the 2008 presidential election. His election was a historic milestone as he became the first African American president in U.S. history, representing the culmination of the nation’s civil rights struggles. Obama was a symbol of hope and change. He was also the first president to use social media extensively to support his campaign and connect with younger generations (Corbett). Image: "Barack Obama" -
Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting
School shootings became more prevalent during my teenage years. One prominent event that impacted my high school’s safety protocols was the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. I remember a potential threat of a school shooting that led to classes being canceled. Another incident with a minor threat made attendance optional, but many students chose not to attend. We also practiced quarterly intruder drills (Timeline). Image: Menn -
Black Lives Matter
The Black Lives Matter movement was launched in July 2013, triggered by the killing of unarmed Black teenager Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman. I attended a predominantly Black high school, so this movement had a significant impact on my high school experience, from rallies to protests. (“About Black Lives Matter.”) Image: Hess -
LGBTQ+ Same-Sex Marriage Legalization
In 2015, the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, the same year I graduated high school. During that time, the LGBTQ+ community was more accepted than before. I remember a transgender student, male-to-female, who wore feminine clothes on the last day of school, which I found incredibly brave. Despite increasing acceptance, high schoolers could still be unkind, especially toward those who weren’t “popular.”(Corbett). Image: "A Celebration" -
Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un
President Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a summit on denuclearization. This marked a historic event as Trump was the first sitting U.S. president to meet with a North Korean leader. The meeting took place at the Capella Hotel in Singapore. ("Trump-Kim"). Image: Trump-Kim" -
COVID-19
COVID-19 was a global pandemic that caused lockdowns, quarantine, economic disruption, and major changes to daily life. Initially, I underestimated its impact but later realized its severity. During my last semester of hygiene school, COVID-19 delayed my graduation and licensing. Governor DeSantis introduced manikin testing to replace live person testing due to aerosol risks. It took about six extra months to obtain my Dental Hygiene License because of the pandemic("COVID-19). Image: "Four"