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Tensions were high between the US and Soviet Union (due to the Russian takedown of an astray plane with a US Congressman onboard), and a missile attack was feared. The computer system reported five missiles from the US headed towards Moscow and protocol was to send retaliatory missiles. However, Stanislav Petrov believed that an initial strike would contain more missiles and be corroborated by the radar. He did not report the missiles (which were not sent) and avoided nuclear war.
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A group of religious extremists were reported to be stockpiling illegal weapons. After a raid resulted in the deaths of four federal agents, the FBI began a siege of the compound. On this date, they attempted a nonlethal measure with teargas and armored vehicles to get them to exit the building. However, the extremists set the building on fire and almost all died.
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The Number 4 reactor had several mechanical failures and reached a critical meltdown. To date, it is the worst nuclear disaster to have ever occured. Its cleanup took many years and the effects are still felt today.
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Delivered at one of the gates of the Berlin Wall, Reagan challenges the Russian leader by saying, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this Wall!"
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CItizens were allowed through the gates without revoking their citizenship or anything. This represents the end of the terror of the Berlin Wall, and the crumbling power of the Soviet Union.
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This aggression in the name of oil by the Iraq government led to US involvement and is the official start of the Gulf War.
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After a few short months of combat, the Iraqi troops had been repelled from Kuwait and set fire to the oil fields as they retreated. Heavy bombing from the US and Coalition forces inflicted casualties in the retreating forces before the ceasefire.
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While still in an early form, the Web was invented and available to access from the general public and the Information Age was being ushered in.
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Killing over 160 people and wounding at least 650 others, this domestic terror attack was domestic (carried out by an American). It was the deadliest terror attack before September eleventh.
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IBM's computer named Deep Blue set a record when it finally beat chess world champion Garry Kasparov. This is a turning point showing the rapid development of computer progress.
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The NASA spacecraft named Pathfinder lands on Mars, becoming the first rover to operate on there. This is a great achievement regarding space exploration beyond the Moon.
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He became the second President to be impeached (after Andrew Johnson) though he was not found guilty by the Senate. He was impeached on the grounds of Perjury and Obstruction of Justice.
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Multiple planes were hijacked and flown into buildings with the intent of killing as many people as possible and bringing terror to the heart of Americans. The response was the start of the War on Terror, as well as an increased American spirit for patriotism and unity. More than two thousand Americans died, and the nation swore to never forget what happened.