-
Wanted Noriega
The purpose of invasion was US desire to overthrow Manuel Noriega, the Panamanian dictator. He was wanted for drug trafficking and racketeering; also, his supporters were arrested. The event, taking place from Dec. 20, 1989-Jan. 31, 1990, resulted in 500+ Panamanian deaths and near 20 US casualties. The invasion was codenamed Operation Just Cause. H.W. Bush's other reasons for invasion included combating drug trafficking, defending democracy, and safeguarding US citizens living in Panama. -
NBA Star has Aids
HIV, which attacks the body's immune system, can lead to aids if not treated well. If someone gets the disease, they can have it for life. Before Johnson revealed of his HIV, it was seen as the white gay man's disease, but when he announced he had it, this shocked the world and changed perspective on HIV proving it isn't the white gay man's disease. With this basketball legend having it, it caused American support against the disease and eventually, Johnson became a speaker on how to manage HIV. -
Video footage of Rodney King's beating lead to Mass Protest
After a jury determined 4 cops to have been guilty of assaulting and beating Rodney King during his arrest, it caused tension between LA and the police. After the arrest was filmed and spread across America, riots and protest began in LA. Due to extreme violence and unrest, it caused California National Guard and US military to settle down the riots. These riots took place from April 29-May 4,1992. The riots resulted in 12,000+ arrests, 63 deaths, and around $1 billion in property damage. -
Andrew Caused Environmental Disaster
Hurricane Andrew, a destructive category 5, caused major damage to the Bahamas, Louisiana, and Florida. The hurricane started on Aug.16, 1992 and lasted till Aug. 28, 1992. Due to extremely high winds, it caused severe flooding that destroyed buildings and neighborhoods resulting in around $27.3 billion dollars in damage. Andrew reached top wind speeds of 141 mph and gusts of 169 mph. The hurricane unfortunately caused the death of 62 lives and played a role in an economic setback for America. -
The Murder for Money
Brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez killed their rich parents, Jose and Kitty, in their home in Beverly Hills. This televised case in California proved the brothers guilty of murder. The murder took place on August 20, 1989 while the first trial started on July 20, 1993-Jan. 28, 1994 and the second trial in Aug. 23, 1995- Mar. 20, 1996. Though the killing was for money, they didn't get to enjoy it for long as they were forced to life sentence without possibility of parole. -
NAFTA's Lead to Economic Improvement in North America
The North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, got rid of tariffs and trade restrictions in order to strengthen trade between the countries of North America. The inspiration for this agreement was from the successful European Economic Community, a Western European alliance that boosted their economies. This was signed by Mexican President Carlos Salinas, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, and Bill Clinton. NAFTA helped North America become more competitive in the global marketplace. -
The Murderous Orange Juice
Simpson, a famous football player, killed ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, outside her home in Brentwood, California. This stabbing led to a publicized and controversial trial sparking racial conflict on whether or not he was guilty. After finding matching gloves at the crime scene and his house and matching the DNA in the blood on the gloves, he was acquitted of the murders. However, when he tried it on in court, it "didn't fit him" and he was found not guilty. -
Is Richard Jewell Innocent?
The bombing was an attack on Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, Georgia taking place during the summer Olympics. After security guard Richard Jewell discovered the hidden bomb and began clearing people away from bomb before detonation, he was seen as the main suspect. In 1996, he was eventually proved innocent and after 3 more bombings in 1997, FBI identified Eric Rudolph as the culprit. This bombing initially killed one person and injured 111 others. -
Yugoslavia is destroyed by NATO
The U.S. warplanes began bombing the lands of Serbia from the air starting on Mar. 24, 1999 and lasting till Jun. 10, 1999. This attack on Yugoslavia was part of the current Kosovo War. This bombing killed around 1000 members of the Yugoslavian Forces and around 500 civilians. The U.S. started the bombing to force President Milosevic, Yugoslavian President, to end his military campaign on the Kosovo Liberation Army. -
The Controversial Columbine Massacre
This event took place in Littleton, Colorado at Columbine High School. The two school shooters were students Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris. Originally, the set up propane bombs to explode in the cafeteria but after they didn't go off, they began their shootings. They ended up killing 13 people and wounded 20+ people before then killing themselves. This event caused lots of debate on gun control in addition to safety in school.