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Hubble Telescope is Launched into Space
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Period: to
24 Hour News Cycle Becomes Popular
Because of the Gulf War, the American people began to take notice of 24 hour news cycles from stations like CNN. -
Nelson Mandela is Freed From Prison
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Alberto Fujimori rises to power in Peru
His presidency was characterized by a time of huge economic development, but also many human rights violations. -
World Wide Web First Tested
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The First Gulf War
The First Gulf War begins over an oil dispute. -
The Cold War Ends
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Terrorist Attack on the World Trade Center
This attack brought American attention to domestic terrorism for the first time. -
Pablo Escobar is killed
Pablo Escobar, the "King of Cocaine", is killed in Medellin, Columbia. -
Zapatista people begin conflict with Mexican Army
The Zapatista indigenous people of Mexico begin armed conflict with the Mexican Army. -
Enactment of NAFTA
NAFTA enabled trade between Canada, the United States, and Mexico. -
AMIA Bombing
An unnamed terrorist group targets Argentina's Jewish community. -
Sarin Gas Attack in a Tokyo Subway
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The Taliban gain control of Afghanistan
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Period: to
Japanese Embassy Hostage Crisis
This is the event Patchett based the book upon. The MRTA took many dignitaries hostage at a party. The situation lasted 126 days. -
Hurricane Georges
Hurricane Georges hits many coastal South American cities, including Cuba. -
Vargas Tragedy
Extreme flooding and rainfall kill thousands in Vargas, Venezuela. -
Luis Maria Argana assassinated
Paraguay's Vice President is assassinated by gunmen. -
Portugal hands over sovereignty of Macau to China
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9/11
The World Trade Center in New York is attacked by terrorists.
