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9/11 Attacks
Two hijacked jetliners ram twin towers of World Trade Center in worst terrorist attack against U.S.; a third hijacked plane flies into the Pentagon, and a fourth crashes in rural Pennsylvania. -
Invasion of Afghanistan
The U.S. begins its invasion of Afghanistan. -
My Birthday
I was born in the Hutchinson Hospital. -
Creation of Homeland Security
President Bush signs legislation creating a new cabinet department of Homeland Security. -
Space Shuttle Explosion
Space shuttle Columbia explodes upon reentry into Earth's atmosphere, killing all seven astronauts on board -
Hurricane Ivan
Four hurricanes devastate Florida and other parts of the southern United States. The strongest was Hurricane Ivan. -
Virginia Tech Shooting
Male student kills two in a Virginia Tech dorm. Two hours later, he kills 30 more in a classroom building before committing suicide. The shooting rampage is the most deadly in U.S. history. Fifteen others are wounded. -
Economy Collapsing
After months of unraveling, the economy finally comes crashing down in 2008, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbling 4.4% in one day, Lehman Brothers filing for bankruptcy, and Bush putting mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under government conservatorship. -
All Secret Prisons Get Shut Down
President Obama signs executive orders closing all secret prisons and detention camps run by the CIA, including the infamous Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba, and banning coercive interrogation methods -
Women Allowed in Military
The Pentagon announces that women will now be permanently assigned to battalions. Many women already serve in those battalions due to demand in Iraq and Afghanistan. The new ruling only makes these job assignments official and upholds the ban on women serving in combat -
Boston Bombing
Multiple bombs explode near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Three people are killed and more than 170 people are injured
