U.S. drops atomic bomb on Japan; World War II ends 8 days later
Period: to
1945-2000
Winston Churchill gives “Iron Curtain” speech in Missouri, tensions rise between United States and Soviet Union
Marshall Plan enacted, providing American aid in rebuilding western and southern Europe, advances the Cold War significantly
Unveiling of Truman Doctrine, announcing the U.S. would do everything in its power to contain communism
Berlin Airlift shows American resolve against the spread of communism and Soviet aggression
Creation of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
President Eisenhower signs Interstate Highway Act, leading to massive government investment in road building and disinvestment in American downtowns and public transportation
Federal court orders Little Rock to desegregate schools, violence results and forces federal government to intervene.
East Germans raise Berlin Wall
Cuban Missile Crisis—U.S. and Soviet Union come dangerously close to nuclear war
Birmingham campaign of civil rights movement, Martin Luther King leads March on Washington to pressure President Kennedy to support civil rights legislation
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Richard Nixon and Leonid Brezhnev conclude talks on Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty, the most important treaty controlling the nuclear arms race
Apple introduces Apple II, the first prominent personal computer
Three Mile Island incident—near nuclear meltdown ends period of nuclear power growth in U.S.
President Reagan launches “War on Drugs,” results lead to imprisonment of 20% of young black men on nonviolent drug charges.
Challenger Space Shuttle explodes, event watched by nearly all schoolchildren because first teacher to enter space was onboard; national interest in space program declines
Fall of Berlin Wall heralds end of Cold War, breakup of USSR in 1991 ensures its end.
First Gulf War begins period of long-term American military involvement in the Middle East.
creation of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), expands both globalization and outsourcing of American manufacturing jobs abroad.
Disputed presidential election, Supreme Court gives election to George W. Bush, voting on a strictly partisan basis
