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Worldwide infulenza epidemic strikers; by 1920, nearly 20 million are dead . In U.S., 500,000 perish. -
World War I: U.S. enters World War I, declaring war on Germany (April 6,1917) and Austria-Hungary (Dec.7,197) three years after conflict began in 1914. Armistice ending World War I is signed (Nov.11, 1918) -
1929 Hebert Hoover is inaugurated as the 31st president (March 4). Stock market crash precipitates the Great Depression (Oct. 29). -
World War II: U.S. declares its neutrality in European conflict (Sept. 5 1939) -
United Nation is established (Oct 24) -
Korean War: Cold war conflict between Communist and non-Communist forces on Korean Peninsula. North Korean communists invade South Korea (June 25, 1950) President Truman, without the approval of Congress, commits American troops to battle (June 27). President Truman. removes Gen. Douglas MacArthur as head of U.S. Fa East Command (April 11, 1951). Armistice agreement is signed (July 27, 1953). -
Explorer I, first American satellite, is launched (Jan. 31) -
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his "I Have a Dream" speech before a crowd of 200,000 during civil rights march on Washington, DC (Aug 28). President Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, Tex. (Nov. 22). He is succeeded in office by his vice president, Lyndon B. Johnson. -
Martin Luther King Jr., is assassinated in Memphis, Tenn. (April 4) Sen. Robert F. Kennedy is assassinated in Los Angeles, Calif. (June 5-6) -
Space shuttle Challenger explodes 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all seven crew members (Jan 28). It is the worst accident in the history of the U.S. space program U.S. bombs military bases in Libya in effort White House is forced to reveal secret arms-for-hostages deals (Nov) -
U.S. and Soviet Union sign START I treaty, agreeing to further reduce strategic nuclear arms (July 31). Senate Judiciary Committee conducts televised hearing to investigate allegations of past sexual harassment brought against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas by Anita Hill, a law professor at the University of Oklahoma (Oct. 11-13)