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U.S. Invasion of Panama
Started by President George H. W. Bush, this invasion lasted from mid December 1989 to late January 1990. Its purpose was to remove General Manuel Noriega from power in Panama. He was wanted for drug trafficking in the U.S. Following the operation, Present elect Endura was sworn into office in Panama. -
Death of Jim Henson
Henson was an American puppeteer, cartoonist, and screenwriter. He was famous for The Muppets, Fraggle Rock, and the Labyrinth, and he created characters for Sesame Street. He died in New York City at the age of 53 from Strep toxic shock syndrome. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was name a Disney Legend after his death. -
Passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act
This civil rights law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities on the job, at school, and in all public places. It makes sure people with disabilities have the same rights as others. It also protects people on the basis of race, color, sex, origin, age, and religion. It provided accommodations in employment, transportation, and telecommunications. -
Rodney King Beating/ L.A. Riots
Four policemen, 3 of whom were white, were acquitted of beating an African American man named Rodney King. It was caught on camera and broadcasted. People retaliated by setting fires, looting, and destroying stores and restaurants in L.A. Light- skinned motorists were even pulled from their cars and beaten. -
U.S. Soldiers in Somalia/ Blackhawk Down
A hundred U.S. soldiers were dropped by helicopter into Somalia. They were trying to provide food and supplies at first, but it turned into a mission of trying to establish democracy. 18 American soldiers were killed and 73 wounded. Two American Blackhawk helicopters were shot down. Lives were lost during the rescue of the helicopter survivors. -
Passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement
This agreement created a free trade zone for Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. It got rid of most tariffs on trade between the three countries. It went into effect on January 1, 1994 and was phased out by January 1, 2008. It improved the U.S. economy in trade growth and investment. -
Harding/Kerrigan Scandal
This is considered one of the biggest sports scandals in history. Kerrigan and Harding were longtime rivals. Shane Stuart, a hitman hired by Harding's uncle and ex-husband, struck Kerrigan's right leg with a 21-inch baton. Harding later admitted that she knew something was going on. -
Million Man March
This was a gathering of African American men in Washington, DC. It was held around the National Mall. Many prominent speakers spoke to unite the African American community. It was started by Louis Farrakhan. -
Explosion of TWA Flight 800
A Boeing 747-100 exploded and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near East Moriches, New York. All 230 people on board died. It is the 3rd deadliest aviation accident in U.S. History. Flammable fuel vapors in the center fuel tank had exploded and problem with the aircraft's wiring were found. -
Olympic Park Bombing
Eric Rudolph planted a bomb in Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. People were watching the 1996 Summer Olympics. The blast killed one woman and injured more than 100 other people. Over the next 2 years, he planted 2 more bombs that killed a police officer and wounded others. He was arrested in 2003 and sentenced to life in prison without parole. -
Murder of Jon Benet Ramsey
She was a child beauty queen who was killed at age 6 in her home in Boulder, Colorado. She had a broken skull and had been strangled. Though her parents were initially suspected, they were cleared. The crime is still unsolved, and the investigation is still open. -
Murder of James Byrd
A black man named James Byrd, Jr. was murdered by 3 white men, two of them white supremacists. They dragged him 3 miles behind a pickup truck on an asphalt road. They they dumped his body in front of a black church. Two of the men were sentenced to death for the crime and one was given life in prison. -
Murder of Matthew Shepard
Matthew Shepard was a 21 year old that attended the University of Wyoming. He was killed by Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney because of their anti-gay beliefs. They lured him to a parking lot where they beat and robbed him. They then tied him to a fence, tortured him, and left him in the freezing cold weather. -
NATO Bombing in Yugoslavia
This aerial bombing campaign lasted from March 24 to June 10 1999. The bombings started due to Yugoslavia's mass killing of Albanians and was launched without the UN's approval. About 1000 members of the Yugoslavian security forces were killed along with around 500 civilians. The campaign led to the withdrawal of Yugoslavian armed forces from Kosovo. -
Columbine
Two senior students at Columbine High School in Colorado murdered 12 students and one teacher. The two students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold then committed suicide. They tried to use homemade bombs, but they did not detonate. At the time, it was the deadliest high school shooting in U.S. history and has inspired copycat killings.
