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Passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act
This Act, signed originally by George H.W. Bush, prohibited the discrimination of those with a mental and/or physical disablity.
Despite it's efforts to end discrimination, empoloyments rates decreased shortly after it came into law.
In 2005 however the emplyment rates for disableled people rapidly increased. -
Confirmation of Clarence Thomas
In 1991 Thurgood Marshall, the only person of color as a Justice, announced his retirement. In effort to fill the same seat with a person of color, Clarence Thomas was nominated by the president.
Before Thomas could take up the position, Anita Hills accusations of him sexually harrasssing her had been leaked.
Thomas was declared not guilty. -
Hurricane Andrew
Hurricane Andrew, known to be one of the most destructive hurricanes in US history, lasted a total of 12 days and had killed 44 people. This disastrous event impacted the southern part of the US, including Louisiana, Florida, the Bahamas, and even dipping down to the Gulf of Mexico.
This hurricane damaged property equal to $25 billion, destroying 63,000 houses, and forcing 175,000 people on the streets in the process.
Little did the American people know that there was a worse one yet to come. -
US soldiers in Somalia (The Battle of Mogadishu)
“Black Hawk Down” took place in Somalia in ‘93. Task Force Ranger planned an operation that was meant to be an hour- it lasted 17 instead.
2 black hawk helicopters were shot by the Somali, starting a fight between America and the SNA. By the end, the US had lost 18 people and the SNA had lost 315.
There were still US soldiers to be rescued despite the battle being over; with the help of the Pakistan & Malaysian Army, the US cleared the 1st crash site, but the second was overrun by a Somali mob. -
Passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement
Bill Clinton was the president to sign NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) into law. Through this, America, Mexico, and Canada agreed to remove taxes and trade restrictions on international trade.
The majority of businesses in Canada and the US had benefited from NAFTA, however Mexico had/has been struggling from this pact.
It initially had impacted only a fraction of international trade, but with progression, it became more and more relevant. -
OJ Simpson trial
The OJ Simpson trial was a very famous event. Held in Los Angeles Country Superior Court, OJ Simpson was accused of the murder of his ex-wife, and a waiter. The trial ran from November 1994, to October 1995, when he was announced not guilty by the court.
It is known to be "one of the most publicized trials", with and estimated 100 million people waiting for the verdict. -
Million Man March
The Millian Man March was a collabrative event formed by the NAALS, the Nation of Islam, and other civil rights organizations. An estimate of 850,000 African-American men came to Washinton DC
to demonstrate; they were there to prove their identities beyond skin color, and stereotypes.
Unfortunately, despite the good intentions, it came off as sexist & stirred up religious conteraversy.
Even with disapproval, it increased the number of black voters, and it encouraged people to speak up. -
Centennial Olympic Park bombing
In 1996, The Centennial Olympic Park was bombed, resulting in 1 direct death, and the injury of 111 people. Eric Robert Rudolph was the one behind scandal, but due to much difficulty, and false accusations he was not identified until a year later, when he had bombed an abortion clinic and a lesbian night club.
Rudolph was not arrested until 2003 by a police officer in North Carolina. He was tried and found guilty and is now serving lifetime imprisonment. -
NATO bombing in yugoslavia
In 1999, NATO bombed the Federal republic of Yugoslavia in attempt to halt the FRY forces (Serbian militia) from persecuting the Albanian people. Despite Russia’s disapproval of the operation NATO continued to bombard the place for approximately 11 weeks- violating UN code of conduct and classifying it as a “humanitarian intervention”.
NATO forces finally withdrew in early June, and ended up killing about 500 civilians and destroying much property (bridges, buildings, businusees, etc.). -
The Columbine shooting
It was in April of 1999 when two highschoolers, Eric and Dylan, attacked a highschool in Colorado. Not only did these two students shoot, but they also had bombs and explosives strategically placed around the school. After killing a total of 13 people, and injuring 24, the two committed suicide.
This incident raised contraversy regarding gun laws, and has had schools adopt a zero-tolerance policy, as well as implement a stricter security system.
