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The Invention of the DVR
The DVR, as known as the Digital Video Recorder, allows you to record any show to a hard drive. People can watch shows without commercials with the “Auto Skip” feature. The DVR first came out March, 1999 by Tivo, but didn’t get delivered to homes until the 2000’s. In 2001, DVR was then purchased by SONICblue. In 2006 ACNielsen recorded 1.2% households in the U.S. have a DVR. However, in 2011, this number grew to 42.2% of viewers. -
The Attack of 9/11
9/11 is the first most important event of the 21st century because it changed the United States of America in many ways. When two loaded airplanes full of 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashed into the North tower of the World Trade Center, New York, it killed and trapped hundreds of people on the 80’th floor. It caused a massive explosion which resulted in burning debris showering everywhere. The attackers were Islamic terrorists from Saudi Arabia and several other Arab nations. -
U.S. Invasion of Afghanistan
After 9/11, President George W. Bush gave the rulers of Afghanistan a choice. They could either hand over the terrorists who were responsible for 9/11, or “share in their fate.” The Taliban refused to surrender terrorist leader, Osama bin-Laden. The invasion began on October 7, 2001. Many soldiers fought with Afghans who were opposed to the Taliban. This is the fourth most important event of the 21’st century because more than 2,014 soldiers were killed and much damage was done. -
The Iraq War
The Iraq War began in 2003 and ended in 2011. It was between neighboring Middle Eastern countries and resulted in at least half a million deaths and billions of dollars in damage. No side gained anything. It was first started by Saddam Hussein. He used missile attacks, use of chemical weapons, and attacks on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. Iraq was not able to restore armored formations or achieve results they hoped for. The war finally came to an end in 2011. -
The Founding of Facebook
Facebook was founded on February 4, 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg. He attended Harvard University at the time, and got the name from a publication he got at college to better know his colleagues. It was called a Facebook. Marks invention, Facebook, was created for students at the college to keep in touch and better communicate. It became so popular, the site became public. In a matter of months, everyone started signing up. -
President Bush is re-elected
On November 3, 2004 President Bush was re-elected for his second term. His competitor was John F. Kerry. He promised he would he would “seek to earn the trust of those who did not back him during the long, contentious campaign.” His task was to heal the nation. His opinion on terrorism was told to be one of the most significant parts of his speech. However, he had many difficulties in trying to stabilize Iraq and pull of elections there at the same time. Bush won 279 electoral votes. -
Hurricane Katrina
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, USA. It was rated as category three and stretched 400 miles. It brought winds of 100-140 miles per hour. The aftermath of the storm was horrific, charging more than $100 billion in damage. The high winds caused many trees to fall down and much flooding. This is an important event of the 21’st century because thousands of people in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama were displaced from their homes. -
The Invention of Smartphones
What do we consider smartphones? Do we consider it by the name or how it works? Ericsson was the first brand to come up with the name “Smartphone.” The created this name to go along with the release of the GS88 in 1997. Even though the first, “Smartphone” came out in the 1900’s, they didn’t start becoming popular until the 21’st century. In 2001, the Palm OS, BlackBerry OS and Windows CE were invented. Devices then changed drastically and the first generation iPhone was released on June 29, 2007 -
Stock Market Crash/Recession
The Great Recession lasted from December 2007 to June 2009. It began with an 8 trillion dollar housing bubble. The loss of wealth led to less consumer spending. This also led to the collapse in business investment and job loss. In 2008 and 2009, the labor market lost 8.4 million jobs. This is placed as the eighth most important event of the 21’st century because so many jobs were lost and the economy went downhill, affecting many Americans. The deep recession in 1981’s job loss was half severe. -
Barack Obama's Election
President Barack Obama was elected president on November 4, 2008. He became the 44th president, and the first African American to be elected. On February 10, 2007, Obama formally announced his candidacy for president of the United States. Some may be against Obama because of his color or because he was born in Hawaii, outside the continental United States. Some may say he avoids all talk of race.
