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Under President George H. W. Bush’s command, the United States invaded Panama after a US Marine was shot off-duty from the Panama Canal. Additionally, the US wanted to dismantle the military dictator, Manuel Noriega, and the power he held. He was known for violating democracy, and for involvement in the drug trafficking rings. He finally surrendered to US arrest on January 3rd, 1990. This marks the first time that a US jury convicted a foreign leader of criminal charges. -
On August 20, 1989, Erik and Lyle Menendez shot their parents to death in their Los Angeles home. The prosecution argued that the brothers wanted to inherit the wealth their parents had and completely premeditated the murder. The defense, however, argued that the killings were in self-defense, after years of sexual abuse from their father. Both brothers have received two life sentences without parole, and all of their appeals have been denied. -
Because of a filming bystander, a horrific beating of a black man getting arrested was broadcasted on news channels all around the globe-- which led to worldwide awareness of police brutality in the US. The four policemen responsible were acquitted of charges, which infuriated the public. This anger, coupled with other resentments of systematic oppression, fueled five days of rioting in Los Angeles. Soldiers were called in to mediate rioting. -
Hurricane Andrew, lasting for a total of 13 days, resulted in damage totaling to 26.5 billion dollars. This made it the most expensive natural disaster other than Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The loss of life, which was less than 25 people, was low considering the magnitude of the hurricane. But, a strikingly high number of south Floridians were left homeless, with destroyed businesses, and unemployed. -
The North American Free Trade Agreement was enacted in 1994 by George H. W. Bush between Canada, Mexico, and the US. It promoted a free trade zone between the countries. This led to an incredible economic boom for all countries involved, and this was accomplished even without excessive tariffs on exports. Aviation, transport, maritime, and basic telecommunications are all prohibited from inclusion in NAFTA. -
The Million Man March, composed of mostly black men, took place in Washington DC in 1995. The purpose of this demonstration was to reject negative stereotypes and to fight for more action from congress. Over 12 hours of speeches took place, and in them contained worries of being scapegoated, discriminated against, yet also held calls of peace, towards both family and enemy. The idea for the march was created by Louis Farrakahn, the leader of the Nation of Islam. -
As an act of domestic terrorism, a pipe bomb with nails exploded in Centennial Olympic Park during a concert. It killed 2 people, and injured more than 100 others. An innocent security guard, Richard Jewell, was initially accused, and then it took almost 7 years to find the real bomber. This event serves as an example of how trials (such as Jewell’s) can be led, or at least influenced, by the media. -
A cult composed of 40 members committed suicide at instruction of leader Marshall Applewhite. Their bodies were found in a mansion in San Diego, California. Applewhite, along with the nurse who took care of him after a near-death experience, convinced 20 more people to join their cult. Their core belief was that an alien spacecraft would bring them to the kingdom of heaven, and in order to be transported, one needs to die. -
In 1999, NATO began initiating air strikes in Yugoslavia due to ethnic cleansing occuring in the country. The Serbian forces were heavily against Albanians living in the province of Kosovo. The US initially warned the Serbian government that air strikes would be launched if cooperation was not maintained. In response, Slobodan Milosevic, the leader of Serbia’s Communist Party, released tens of thousands of refugees-- but the fighting still continued, so the air strikes were sent. -
On April 20th, 1999, two students executed an attack on their high school in Colorado. 15 deaths resulted from the shooting, including the perpetrators. They also planned to bomb their school, but their bombs were unsuccessful in their detonation. This event led to the intensification of the conversation surrounding gun control in America.