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Period: to
90s US History
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Passage of the Americans With Disabilites Act
The Americans With Disabilites Act (ADA) was a law passed by congress that was made to protect against discrimination based on disability. The bill says that discrimination is prohibited in the categories of employment, transportation, public accomadations, communication and government activites. Many commitees were established to enforce the parameters of the bill. The ADA was very similar to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. -
Confirmation of Clarence Thomas
On July 1 1991, Clarence Thomas was inducted into the Supreme Court. He replaced another black member, Thurgood Marshall who stopped serving on October 1, 1991. Clarence Thomas was nominated by George H.W. Bush. His nomination was rather controversial because of his conservative beliefs of abortion. Thomas was also accused of sexual harassment by Anita Hill, a professor that previously worked under Thomas. Through the controversy, Thomas was elected by a vote of 52 to 48. -
Magic Johnson's HIV Announcement
After Johnson's physical before the 91-92 NBA season, Magic discovered that he tested positive for HIV. He announced that he would retire immediately to fight the disease. His wife and child tested negative for HIV. At that time HIV was rarely contracted through heterosexual sex, and thus many began to believe Magic was bisexual or gay. However it was revealed that Johnson had had many relationships with other women throughout his career. His HIV announcement was highly popular through US news. -
Hurricane Andrew
Hurricane Andrew formed on the 16th of August and dissipated on the 28th of August. At the time is was the most destructive hurricane in American history. Andrew caused damage in the South and in the Bahamas but Florida was damaged the most. Over 25,000 homes in Dade country were destroyed and another 100,000 damaged in Dade county alone. The hurricane took 65 lives and caused 26 billion dollars of damage. -
US Soldiers in Somalia / Blackhawk Down
On March 3, 1993 US soldiers entered Somalia to battle a militia loyal to the corrupt president Mohammed Farrah Aidid. The battle was named the Battle of Mogadishu or better known as Black Hawk Down. This mission was only intended to last an hour long to seize Aidid's Lieutenants. But contrary to plan, the mission spiraled into a deadly overnight standoff with the militia. The events of the Battle of Mogadishu are portrayed in a great movie named Black Hawk Down. -
Passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
The North American Free Trade Agreement was an agreement between the US, Canada and Mexico that established a free trade zone between the three nations. NAFTA immediately removed tariffs on most goods being traded within the nations. It also approved the removal of trade barriers between the nations, including the opening of the Mexican border to truckers. NAFTA was the largest trade agreement between any nation. -
Unabomber Attacks and Arrest
Ted Kaczynski or better known as the "Unabomer" was an American anarchist and terrorist. He embarked a nationwide bombing campaign against people associated with modern technology. He planted and mailed many homemade bombs. These attacks killed three and injured 23 others. FBI agents arested the Unabomber at his remote cabin in Montana. He was charged with the three deaths along with many other charges. The unabomber avoided the death penalty, as he was considered insane. -
TWA Flight 800 Explosion
TWA Flight 800 took off from JFK airport and crashed into the Atlantic ocean 12 minutes after takeoff. All 212 passangers and 18 crew were killed. Flight 800 was the third largest aviation accident in US history. Many believed it was an act of terrorism however after 16 months of FBI investigation it was revealed that there was not terrorism involved. Thus the investigation was closed. It was revealed later that the fuel tank was accidentally exploded, concluding the largest air investigation. -
NATO bombing in Yugoslavia
NATO instigated a bombing against the Serbian people and Federal Republic of Yugoslovia that lasted from March 24-June 10, 1999. This bombing was a result of human rights abuse in Kosovo. As a result of the bombing, Yugoslavia removed its forces from Kosovo. This bombing marked NATO's second major combat operation in history. In the end, between 489 and 528 civilians were killed, as well as destruction across modern day Kosovo. -
Columbine Shooting
The Columbine High School massacre occured on April 20th at Columbine High school in Colorado. The perpretrators were Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold who would later commit suicide after executing their plans. Along with the shootings, the two had planned bombings and had 99 explosive devices that were not used. They murrdered 12 students and one teacher, as well as injured 21 others. The Columbine massacre sparked debates over gun-control, and high-school bullying.
