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Oklahoma City Bombing
The Alfred Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was bombed by a truck on April 19, 1995, resulting in the death of 168 people and injuring 600 others. Two men in a white nationalist group, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, were found guilty. This bombing drew attention to the white hate groups that were forming in the 1990s, forcing the country to realize that terrorists were domestic and foreign.
"Kruse and Zelizer, 220" -
Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penality
In response to the Oklahoma City Bombing, Clinton passed a law to increase the power of the government. This prohibited certain firearms and spread chemicals. Finalized a year after the bombing, it made terrorism a federal crime, stopped funding to certain groups, and allowed immigrants to be deported without judicial review.
'Kruse and Zelizer, 221' -
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
Social conservatives pushed the DOMA Act, defining marriage as between one man and one woman for federal purposes. Bob Barr, the congressman of Georgia, proposed this law to ensure that states do not recognize same-sex marriage from others, and legally define marriage as heterosexual. This is significant because it shows the view of homosexuals during that time.
'Kruse and Zelizer 218' -
Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal
In January 1998, President Clinton and intern Monica Lewinsky were caught having a secret relationship in the White House. Clinton publicly denied the allegations, and the case was brought to the grand jury, leading to Clinton's impeachment for lying under oath, sexual harassment, and obstruction of justice.
'History.com, December 19, 2025' -
No Child Left Behind
No Child Left Behind was a federal law appointed in 2001. It aimed to improve education by increasing accountability in schools and states and solidifying government funding. One month after signing the bill, Bush cut the funding, leaving Democrats angry and confirming what they had been worried about, which was NCLB was an unfunded mandate.
'Kruse and Zelizer, 248' -
Attack on World Trade Center
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Hurricane Katrina