-
The Persian Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War was waged by the United States against Iraq in response to Iraq’s invasion and annexation of Kuwait. On August 2, 1990, Iraqi tanks rolled through Kuwait to the Saudi border and Saddam Hussein claimed that Kuwait was no longer an independent country. Upholding the Carter Doctrine, President Bush called for direct military action. Ultimately, the U.S.-led coalition ended with the liberation of Kuwait from the Iraqi government, it soured relations with Iraq. (Kraus 18) -
The Dissolution of the Soviet Union
The Soviet Union was dissolved and its republics gained full independence. The demise of the Soviet Union was not abrupt, it occurred over the span of seven years after Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Communist Party. Under his administration, Gorbachev launched a series of political and economic changes that led to the destruction of the Soviet regime and the Soviet state. The dissolution of the Soviet Union was a major event that ended the Cold War. (Zubok 397, 427) -
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) established a free-trade zone in America. NAFTA was signed by Canada, Mexico, and the United States in 1992, but was ratified by Clinton and took effect on January 1, 1994. It immediately lifted tariffs on the majority of goods produced by the participating nations. NAFTA contributed to increased trade between North American countries and the integration of their economies. (U.S. Customs & Border Protection, 2022; Kruse and Zelizer, 208-209) -
September 11 Terrorist Attacks
Four-passenger airplanes departed from airports; however, these airplanes were hijacked by terrorists. The first plane crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center; then, another plane crashed into the South Tower. Of the remaining planes, one crashed into the Pentagon and another crashed before making it to its final destination. The Twin Towers collapsed, resulting in approximately three thousand deaths, making it the deadliest attack on American soil. (Pritchard) -
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
The NCLB of 2001 was developed from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. On January 8, 2002, the NCLB was signed into law by President George W. Bush. The NCLB focused on standards, accountability, and parental options to provide a quality education for all students and to close the achievement gap between low-income and minority students and their peers. The NCLB increased the federal role in holding schools responsible for the academic progress of all students. (Diorio) -
Goodridge v. Department of Public Health
In 2001, seven same-sex couples in Massachusetts applied for marriage licenses; however, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health rejected their applications because the state did not recognize same-sex marriages. The couple appealed to the Supreme Judicial Court. On November 18, 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled in favor of Goodridge. Massachusetts was the first supreme court opinion to strike down restrictions on same-sex marriage in the United States. (Carlo 517) -
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina formed in the Atlantic Ocean and rose to category 5, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, caused massive flooding, and destroyed much of the city’s residential and commercial areas. Damages were estimated to exceed $108 billion in 2005 economics, and approximately 1,833 deaths during Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath, making it the costliest natural disaster in the history of the U.S. (Mazzeno; Kruse and Zelizer 280) -
The Release of the First iPhone
On June 29, 2007, the first smartphone, the iPhone, was designed and marked by Apple Inc. Steve Jobs, the CEO of Apple, sought to revolutionize mobile technology by placing a multitouch supercomputer that could be transported in people’s pockets. Apple pioneered the technologically focused society seen in the present day, society’s need to remain connected to the internet. (Globe & Mail) -
The Great Recession
Low-interest rates for mortgages, the expansion of credit to first-time homeowners with limited incomes, rising gas prices, and bad consumer confidence resulted in the Great Recession. When the “housing bubble” collapse occurred in 2007, it triggered several recessions across the globe. The housing crisis meant that banks could not cover their debts, crippling financial institutions. Therefore, these banks could not invest in businesses, leading to employers to lay off staff. (Auerbach) -
The 2008 Presidential Election
The 2008 Presidential Election resulted in the victory of Barack Obama, the first African American president. The Election was a Democratic wave, in which the Democratic party secured their majorities in both chambers of Congress and the presidency. Furthermore, the 2008 Election was the first election to use the modern system of presidential election through primaries. Obama's success at the polls broke down racial barriers by electing him as the first African American president. (Clarke 59)
