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Oklahoma City Bombing
A truck bomb exploded outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people, including 19 children, and injuring over 500 others. Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols carried out the attack as a protest against the federal government. It was the deadliest terrorist act on U.S. soil until 9/11, shocking the nation and leading to new counterterrorism efforts. The attack changed how the government approached domestic terrorism. -
Clinton Impeached
President Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives for perjury and obstruction of justice following his affair with Monica Lewinsky. Although the Senate later acquitted him, the process divided Americans deeply. It marked a turning point where personal scandals became central in American politics. The impeachment fueled deeper political and cultural divisions in the U.S. -
2000 Presidential Election
The presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore became one of the closest and most disputed in U.S. history. The outcome hinged on the state of Florida, where ballot recounts and legal battles dragged on for weeks. A Supreme Court decision finally ended the dispute, awarding the presidency to Bush and raising major concerns about election security. The election exposed flaws in America's voting system and trust in democracy. -
9/11
On the morning of September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four planes. Two planes struck the Twin Towers in New York City. Another hit the Pentagon. A fourth crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back. Nearly 3,000 people died that day. The attacks deeply changed America's view of security and led to major wars abroad. 9/11 reshaped U.S. foreign policy and homeland security for decades. -
Patriot Act
Just weeks after 9/11, Congress passed the USA PATRIOT Act to expand law enforcement powers. Supporters said it was needed to stop future attacks. Critics warned it could erode civil liberties. The law reshaped the balance between personal privacy and national security, with debates that continue today. The law created lasting debates about privacy, surveillance, and freedom. -
Invasion of Iraq
President George W. Bush announced the start of military operations in Iraq. Officials argued that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and links to terrorism. Hussein's government was quickly toppled. However, no such weapons were found. The war dragged on, weakening trust in government and destabilizing the region for years. The invasion damaged U.S. credibility and led to long-term instability in the Middle East. -
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast, devastating New Orleans when levees failed. Floodwaters submerged large parts of the city. Over 1,800 people died, and tens of thousands lost their homes. The slow federal response drew fierce criticism and highlighted racial and economic inequalities in the United States. Katrina exposed deep flaws in disaster response and racial inequality in America. -
President Obama Elected
Barack Obama was elected as the first African American president in American history. His campaign, centered on hope and change, energized millions of voters across the country. His election reflected changing American demographics. It inspired many but also fueled political backlash in conservative circles. Obama's election transformed national politics and sparked new political movements. -
Affordable Care Act
President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law. The ACA aimed to make health insurance more accessible and affordable. It forced insurers to cover people with pre-existing conditions and required most Americans to have insurance. The law quickly became a major battleground in American politics. The ACA changed the U.S. healthcare system and fueled ongoing political fights. -
Same-Sex Marriage Legalized
In Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples had a constitutional right to marry. This decision ended bans on same-sex marriage across the country. It was a historic win for LGBTQ+ rights, celebrated by millions, though it also faced strong resistance in some communities. The decision marked a major victory for civil rights and equality in America. -
Citations 1-3
¹ J.P. Jenkins, "Oklahoma City Bombing," Encyclopedia Britannica, last modified April 16, 2025, https://www.britannica.com/event/Oklahoma-City-bombing. ² Kevin M. Kruse and Julian E. Zelizer, Fault Lines: A History of the United States Since 1974 (New York: W. W. Norton, 2019), 229–234. ³ Kevin M. Kruse and Julian E. Zelizer, Fault Lines: A History of the United States Since 1974 (New York: W. W. Norton, 2019), 240–245. -
Citations 4-6
⁴ Kevin M. Kruse and Julian E. Zelizer, Fault Lines: A History of the United States Since 1974 (New York: W. W. Norton, 2019), 247–254. ⁵ Kevin M. Kruse and Julian E. Zelizer, Fault Lines: A History of the United States Since 1974 (New York: W. W. Norton, 2019), 254–256. ⁶ Kevin M. Kruse and Julian E. Zelizer, Fault Lines: A History of the United States Since 1974 (New York: W. W. Norton, 2019), 256–265. -
Citations 7-8
⁷ The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, "Hurricane Katrina," Encyclopedia Britannica, last modified April 16, 2025, https://www.britannica.com/event/Hurricane-Katrina. ⁸ The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, "United States Presidential Election of 2008," Encyclopedia Britannica, last modified November 1, 2024, https://www.britannica.com/event/United-States-presidential-election-of-2008. -
Citations 9-10
⁹ Eileen Burgin, "Introduction: Revisiting the Affordable Care Act," Politics and the Life Sciences 34, no. 2 (2015): 1–6. ¹⁰ Associated Press, "Supreme Court Declares Same-Sex Couples Have Right to Marry Nationwide," AP News, June 26, 2015, https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-courts-marriage-supreme-court-of-the-united-states-united-states-government-9e1933cd1e1a4e969ab45f5952bbb45f.