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Signing of the Americans With Disabilities Act
President George Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law on July 26th, 1990. The ADA prohibits discrimination against Americans with disabilities, and ensures their right to the same opportunities as anyone else. It was modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The ADA defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities, but does not specifically state which disabilities. -
Confirmation of Clarence Thomas to the US Supreme Court
President George H. Bush nominated Clarence Thomas to the US Supreme Court in 1991 on July 1st. He had very conservative views, and so women's rights and civil rights groups were opposed. When confirmation hearings were coming to a close, a woman who had worked under him, Anita Hill, stepped forward with sexual harassment accusations. Despite this, Clarence Thomas was confirmed by a majority of 52 to 48. -
Arrest and Trial of Jeffery Dahmer
Jefferey Dahmer was arrested for murder, child molestation, indecent exposure, disorderly conduct, and public intoxication. On January 13th, 1992, Dahmer pleaded guilty but insane to 15 counts of murder. Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Carl Wahlstrom diagnosed him with borderline personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, necrophilia, alcohol dependence, and a psychotic disorder. In the end, Dahmer was sentenced to 16 terms of life imprisonment. -
Magic Johnson’s HIV Announcement
Earvin "Magic" Johnson was a well-respected professional basketball player. Perhaps his more impressive achievement, however, is the movement he caused in HIV awareness. Johnson announced that he was retiring because he had tested HIV positive. HIV and AIDS were ignored by President Reagan, and Johnson helped to show people that anyone could get it, and that it deserved attention after the countless deaths AIDS had caused. -
Entrance of US Soldiers in Somalia / Blackhawk Down
On October 3rd, 1993, Delta Force Commandos and Army Rangers were dropped in the heart of Mogadishu, Somalia. They were tasked with finding and capturing Aidid's foreign minister Omar Salad Elmi and the political adviser Mohamed Hassan Awale. The United Nations was technically successful, but experienced heavy casualties. In all, 19 U.S. soldiers were killed in action, with 73 wounded. -
Signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement
President Bill Clinton signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) into law. It was signed by the United States as well as Canada and Mexico. Clinton did this in the hopes of creating jobs. He also stated that he hoped it would encourage other nations to work toward a world-trade pact that could benefit a wider scope of people -
Centennial Olympic Park Bombing
The Centennial Olympic Park Bombing was a terrorist attack committed with the use of a pipe bomb. The attack killed 2 people and injured 111 others, include one individual who died of a heart attack after the incident. A security guard had cleared most people out of the park before detonation, saving many more lives. The perpetrator, Eric Robert Rudolph, wanted to force the Olympics to be cancelled due to what he called the government's sanctioning of "abortion on demand." -
Murder of Matthew Shepard
Matthew Shepard died in a hospital six days after being beaten and tortured by Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson. The two had offered to give Shepard a ride home, and then robbed, pistol-whipped and tortured him. Afterwards, they tied him to a fence in near-freezing temperatures and left him to die. He was left in a coma, and never regained consciousness. -
Beginning of NATO bombing in Yugoslavia
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) took up military operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia during the Kosovo War. NATO took action due to the fact that if this war continued, it would destabalize the region. The UN could not take official action due to China and Russia's intentions to veto, so NATO intervened by calling it humanitarian intervention. The bombing killed 489-528 civilians. -
Columbine Shooting
The Columbine High School massacre took place on April 20th, 1999, and resulted in the deaths of 12 students and 1 teacher. This massacre contributed to the conversations regarding gun control and zero-tolerance policies in schools. The attack was planned, and there was a bomb placed in a field to deter the fire department. The security staff also failed to see the bombs being placed, as it happened while the security tapes were being replaced.
