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Ronald Reagan President
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First US Space Shuttle deployed
The Colombia, the first space shuttle created by NASA, was launched into orbit on April 12, 1981. It took a decade to build and prepare, but it was successful in being a reusable craft. -
Strategic Defense initiative proposed
The Strategic Defense Initiative was proposed by Reagan and is nick named the "Star Wars Program". It was meant for protection against a Soviet attack of ballistic weapons, which it fought from space hence the name "Star Wars". -
Iran-Contra affair
The Iran-Contra affair was an affair of the Reagan administration involving a secret arms deal in which the US would trade missiles for American hostages, and also used the funds towards warring with Nicaragua. -
World Wide Web invented
The World Wide Web was invented in 1989 by British scientist named Tim Berners-Lee. Originally created to share data with scientists, the World Wide Web quickly grew to what it is today: a great web of information shared with all. -
Period: to
George Bush President
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Beginning of Operation Desert Storm
Operation Desert Storm was a 42-day air offensive by the United States against Iraq in the Pacific Gulf War. The operation aimed to release Kuwait from Iraq control and protect the world's oil preserves. The operation was successful. -
Cold War ends
The Cold War began to end with the lifting of the Iron Curtain as the Berlin Wall was torn down and borders were opened. It truly ended with the dissolvement of the Soviet Union into smaller republics in 1991. -
Period: to
Persian Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War was a war between Iraq and about 35 allied countries, led by the United States. It was fought over Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwait and over oil concerns. -
Period: to
William Clinton President
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NAFTA in effect
The North American Free Trade Agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the United States went into effect January 1, 1994. This allowed free trade with not only Canada, but also Mexico and broadened the pre-existing free trade agreement with Canada. -
9/11 Terrorist Attacks
On September 11, 2001, hijacked planes were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center as well as into the Pentagon. These attacks were done by the Al-Qaeda terrorist group, and killed nearly 3,000 Americans in the attacks.