21st Century Timeline Assignment

  • 2001 – September 11 terrorist attacks

    2001 – September 11 terrorist attacks

    Reshape U.S. foreign policy, national security, and global politics.
  • 2003 – The United States invades Iraq

    2003 – The United States invades Iraq

    Leading to long-term conflict and controversy over weapons of mass destruction claims.
  • 2005 – Hurricane Katrina

    2005 – Hurricane Katrina

    Exposes weaknesses in disaster response and highlights racial and economic inequality in the U.S.
  • 2007 – The First iPhone is released

    2007 – The First iPhone is released

    Accelerating the rise of smartphones and transforming social interaction and media.
  • 2008 – The global financial crisis

    2008 – The global financial crisis

    Causes massive job losses, bank failures, and government bailouts.
  • 2009 – Barack Obama becomes the first African American president of the United States

    2009 – Barack Obama becomes the first African American president of the United States

    Marking a historic political milestone.
  • 2010 – Social media platforms

    2010 – Social media platforms

    Become key tools for political organizing and information sharing worldwide. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn became big, while MySpace was declining and Instagram launched. Other platforms like YouTube, Tumblr, and various instant messaging services like AIM were also popular.
  • 2014 – Protests in Ferguson

    2014 – Protests in Ferguson

    Missouri spark the modern Black Lives Matter movement following police shootings.
  • 2015 – Same-sex marriage is legalized nationwide

    2015 – Same-sex marriage is legalized nationwide

    Nationwide in the United States by a Supreme Court ruling.
  • 2016 – Donald Trump is elected U.S. president

    2016 – Donald Trump is elected U.S. president

    Reflecting political polarization and populist movements.
  • 2017 – The #MeToo Movement

    2017 – The #MeToo Movement

    Brings widespread attention to sexual harassment and assault.
  • 2020 – The COVID-19 pandemic

    2020 – The COVID-19 pandemic

    Pandemic disrupts daily life, economies, education, and global health systems.
  • 2020 – Protests following the killing of George Floyd

    2020 – Protests following the killing of George Floyd

    Renew discussions on policing and racial justice worldwide.
  • 2021 – The January 6th

    2021 – The January 6th

    Attack on the U.S. Capitol raises concerns about democracy and political extremism
  • 2022–2024 – Artificial Intelligence

    2022–2024 – Artificial Intelligence

    Rapid advances in artificial intelligence influence work, education, ethics, and public policy discussions.