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Period: to
Period between 2008 to 2012
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John McCain secures republican nomination
Sen. John McCain has enough delegates to secure the Republican presidential nomination -
Gay Couples
Gay couples have the right to marry by a 4-3 vote in California's Supreme Court. -
First black presidential nominee
On the final day of the 2008 primary season, Sen. Barack Obama secures 2,154 delegates and becomes the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. He's the first black candidate to head a major party ticket in a presidential election. -
Barack Obama wins presidential election
Democratic senator Barack Obama wins the presidential election against Sen. John McCain, taking 338 electoral votes to McCain's 161. Obama becomes the first African American to be elected president of the United States. Also in the election, Democrats increase their majority in the House and pick up five seats in the Senate. -
Barack sworn in
Hundreds of thousands of people watched in front of the Capitol as President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden are sworn into office. Obama makes history as the first African-American president. -
Michael Jackson Dies
Michael Jackson, lifelong musician, pop singer, and superstar, dies at age 50. He is found unconscious in his home, then rushed to a Los Angeles hospital where he is pronounced dead. -
Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics opened in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The games got off to a tragic start when a luger from the Republic of Georgia, Nodar Kumaritashvili, dies tragically in a crash during training run. -
Obama's plan for the health-care reform bill
President Obama announces his detailed plan for a health-care reform bill. The plan closely follows the version currently in the Senate. Obama asks Republicans to submit their ideas or agree to his version of the bill. -
Troops being sent back home
Seven years after the war in Iraq began, President Obama announces the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom with a withdrawal of combat troops. Obama emphasizes that U.S. domestic problems, mainly the flailing economy and widespread unemployment, are more pressing matters to his country. The U.S. will continue to be a presence in Iraq, mainly with civilian contractors but also with a smaller military contingent of approximately 50,000 troops. The remaining troops are scheduled to leave Iraq by the end -
Kate and Prince William get married
Kate Middleton marries Prince William in a lavish royal wedding at Westminster Abbey in London. -
New York passes same-sex marriage
New York passes a law to allow same-sex marriage, becoming the largest state that allows gay and lesbian couples to marry. The vote comes on the eve of the city's annual Gay Pride Parade and gives new momentum to the national gay-rights movement. -
Hurricane Irene
Beginning as a Category 3 with 115-mile-per hour winds, Hurricane Irene moves up the eastern seaboard. At least 44 people are killed in 13 states. Evacuations are ordered for about 2.3 million people. Damage is estimated at $7 billion. -
Trayvon Martin killed
On February 26, 2012, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by crime watch volunteer George Zimmerman. The incident took place within a gated community in Sanford, Florida. Martin was unarmed. -
Penn State Head Coach
He had a molestation scandal. -
Aurora, Colorado shootings
On July 20, 2012, during a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises, a gunman opened fire on a crowded theater in Aurora, Colorado. Twelve people were killed and 58 others were wounded. More people were killed and wounded than in any other shooting in U.S. history. -
Presidential election
Barack Obama is reelected into office over Gov. Romney -
Sandy Hook Elementary School
Gunman kills 26 civilians in an elementary school, 20 of which were children.