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Period: to
US History Timeline 1995-2015
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Oklahoma City Bombing
Timothy McVeigh detonated a truck bomb outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 and injuring hundreds. The attack revealed the threat posed by domestic extremist groups and changed how federal agencies approached internal security. Public mourning and outrage pushed the FBI to shift its counterterrorism strategies.
(Kruse and Zelizer, 137) -
Welfare Reform Act Signed
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act ended decades-old federal welfare guarantees when President Clinton signed the Welfare Reform Act. This act imposed strict work requirements and time limits on assistance. Supporters claimed it encouraged independence, while critics argued it deepened poverty and racial inequality. Welfare reform became a lasting symbol of Clinton-era centrism.
(Kruse and Zelizer, 151) -
Dot-Com Bubble Bursts
In early 2000, the collapse of overvalued tech stocks marked the end of the dot-com boom. It exposed vulnerabilities in digital investment trends and set the stage for early 2000s economic uncertainty, especially in the tech sector.
(Source: Investopedia, “Dotcom Bubble”) -
September 11 Attacks
Nineteen terrorists associated with al-Qaeda hijacked planes, striking the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and crashing one in Pennsylvania. The deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil, it reshaped foreign and domestic policy, leading to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Patriot Act, and a reorganization of national security priorities.
(Kruse and Zelizer, 172) -
Department of Homeland Security Created
In the aftermath of 9/11, Congress created the Department of Homeland Security by consolidating 22 agencies, including FEMA and the Coast Guard. The department’s mission was to better prevent and respond to terrorist threats, dramatically increasing the government's role in surveillance, immigration control, and emergency preparedness.
(Kruse and Zelizer, 178) -
YouTube Launches
YouTube’s launch opened a new era of media, giving individuals unprecedented ability to create, share, and consume videos globally. It fueled new industries like content creation, digital marketing, and influencer culture, changing not just entertainment, but also education, activism, and political campaigns forever.
(Wired, "The History of YouTube") -
Great Recession Begins
In 2007, losses on mortgage-related financial assets caused strains in global financial markets. In December 2007 the US economy entered a recession. The financial crisis peaked in 2008 after the collapse of Lehman Brothers and a meltdown in mortgage-backed securities. It led to widespread job loss and a near-collapse of the global banking system. Government bailouts and stimulus efforts attempted to stabilize the economy but left lasting distrust of banks.
(Kruse and Zelizer, 205) -
Rise of the Tea Party
In reaction to government bailouts and Obama's early policies, grassroots conservatives organized protests demanding lower taxes, reduced government spending, and strict constitutionalism. The Tea Party movement shifted U.S. politics rightward, influencing the Republican Party and contributing to growing political polarization in the 2010s.
(Kruse and Zelizer, 215) -
Black Lives Matter Begins
Following George Zimmerman's acquittal in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, activists launched the #BlackLivesMatter movement online. It quickly grew into a global network challenging police brutality, racial injustice, and systemic inequality, setting the stage for future protests and public discourse on civil rights in America.
(Black Lives Matter Official Website) -
Same-Sex Marriage Legalized
In Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court ruled that bans on same-sex marriage violated the Fourteenth Amendment. The 5-4 decision guaranteed marriage equality nationwide, representing a landmark achievement for LGBTQ+ rights and marking a major cultural shift toward acceptance and civil liberty protections.
(Supreme Court of the United States)