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Tiananmen Square Protest and Massacre
This atrocity impacted the whole world. In the U.S. Congress and the Media denounced the action and suspended military sales with China. The action also caused thousands of people to protest all over the world -
Berlin Wall Demolished
The Berlin Wall coming down is one of the most significant events in world history. The collapse of these bricks signified the end of the Cold War and oppression in Germany. East and West Germany were finally reunited after 50 years of isolation from each other. This event was broadcast across America, resulting in millions rejoicing for a victory for freedom. -
End of Apartheid and Release of Nelson Mandela
The end of apartheid in South Africa was a momentous time in history. For 50 years the vast majority of South Africans were discriminated against. Now this discrimination was coming to an end, partially because of support from western nations like the United States. Now that the Soviet Union was no longer a problem, focus could be put on other important issues like racism. After apartheid, South Africa experienced large amounts of economic growth, close to that of Japans. -
Hubble Space Telescope Launched
The launch of the Hubble Space Telescope was not only a great achievement for the United States and NASA, but also for the whole world. The outcomes of the telescope are astronomical, literally. Because of the Hubble we have been able to learn so much more about our Universe as the HST has given us the best resolution pictures yet. The HST is still in operation and will continue to be so for another 20 years. The Hubble is one of the greatest accomplishments of our time. -
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Persian Gulf War
This War had many names, Operation Desert Storm, the Kuwait War, The First Iraqi War, or the First Gulf War. What they all share in common is the invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein's Iraq, and the intervention by the United Nations. While the resistance was collectively the UN, it was largely run and operated by the United States. The entire war was a battle for oil, Kuwait has held a large portion of the worlds oil, Saddam wanted it, Bush did wanted the opposite. -
The Dissolution of the Warsaw Pact
The dissolution of the Warsaw Pact was another big event for democracy, as it meant less power to communism. The end of this treaty between the Soviet Union and eastern European states meant the end of the USSR. This took off a lot of stress for the United States and Western Europe, because these 8 powerful states would no longer be a threat together. -
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Bosnian War
This war was mainly a result of the breakup of Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia was home to many different ethnic groups, consisting of about 40% Muslim, 30% Serbian, and 15% Croatian. A clash of political ideology led to physical conflict in the Bosnian-Herzegovina area. The Serbians were the main aggressors, killing tens of thousands soldiers and civilians, along with systematic mass-rape, and ethnic cleansing. NATO intervened with aerial missiles targeting Serb strongholds, ending the war. -
Bill Clinton Elected
Bill Clinton was the first democrat to serve two terms since Franklin D. Roosevelt, and he is one of the highest rated presidents to date. His term served over a long peace-time in America, and so he influenced economic and health care change. Clinton passed NAFTA, growing the economy of all of North America, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program, giving the medical need to millions of children. He also helped in the Camp David accords and the problems in Iraq. -
World Trade Center Bombing
The first of two attacks on the World Trade Center, this bombing killed 6 people and injured over a thousand. The bomb was intended to make Tower 1 crash into the second, killing tens of thousands. This attack sent fear into millions of Americans and political officials. But this also greatly changed the United States foreign policy and internal security. Strengthening both to a scary point. -
Russian Constitutional Crisis
The Russian Constitutional Crisis was a result of President Boris Yeltsin combating with the Russian Parliament.While only a ten day conflict, it is known as the bloodiest street encounter in Russia. Some sources say thousands were killed,with hundreds more wounded.This almost caused a full fledged civil war. However, President Yeltsin remained in power for the time being. The U.S. government and Clinton paid little attention to what was happening.Possibly because they wanted to just keep peace. -
NAFTA
The North American Free Trade Agreement more commonly referred to as NAFTA was an arrangement to create economic growth between these three large nations. NAFTA is still in effect, and has indeed put millions more into circulation, stimulating our economy. Others criticize NAFTA for things like taking away jobs, which is a serious side effect, but one that I think has been worth it. -
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Rwandan Genocide
The Rwandan Genocide was mainly a conflict between the main two ethnic groups, the Hutu's and Tutsi's. Mainly perpetrated by the Hutu's against the Tutsi's after their European colonial owners left, leaving discrimination between the two ethnic tribes. A Hutu majority creating a power movement quickly overtook the Tutsi elite minority. The United States chose to take a step back so not to repeat what happened in Somalia. The resulting casualties of the war were between 500,000 and 1,000,000. -
Nelson Mandela Elected President of South Africa
Nelson Mandela was the first black president elected in South Africa, this alone speaks its volumes. In South Africa he is so respected he has a nickname Tata, which describes him as "Father of the Nation". Because of his activism he has received hundreds of awards, including the Nobel Piece Prize, the Soviet Lenin Peace Prize, and the US Presidential Medal of Freedom. -
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Chechen War
The First Chechen War was a conflict between the Russian Federation and the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. Despite Russia superior manpower, air support, and equipment, the Chechen's held them off. The mountainous geographical location of Chechnya helped them retain their homeland. Still, around a hundred thousands Chechen civilians were killed because of Russian cluster bombing and other aerial assaults. The U.S. had practically no role in this war besides providing analysis after the ceasefire. -
Hong Kong Returns to Chinese Rule
Hong Kong had been a British Colony for 156 years. When Britain returned the colony back to China, it practically ended the British Empire as it was their last colony. Overnight Hong Kong changed it's administration to become China's first Special Administration Region. This province has influenced the whole world as "the freest market economy in the world." As well as the number 1 tourist destination in the world, Hong Kong is a real world leader. It even has influence on today's America. -
Asian Financial Crisis
The Asian Financial Crisis was originally a result of Thailand's bankruptcy. This bankruptcy led to the collapse of their currency, this financial turmoil then spreading to other Asian countries. The countries most affected were Indonesia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, and the Philippines, but included the whole world. he New York Stock Exchange was forced to suspend their stock market on account of this financial crisis. -
Good Friday Agreement
The Good Friday Agreement was a series of provisions that dealt with the relationships between The Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Britain. The agreement covered topics about civil rights, cultural rights, disarming of weapons, and justice and policing . -
President of Indonesia Suharto Resigns
President Suharto resignation was mainly in response to the Asian Financial Crisis. Indonesia was the hardest hit country in the Crisis, losing 13.5 of their GDP that year. The U.S. to try and get them out of their slump sent 43 billion in liquidity aid to Indonesia. This did not fair to well. After a series of bad events, and students occupying the parliament building demanding his resignation, he finally gave in. -
The Euro is Introduced
The official currency of the eurozone, which is comprised of 19 countries in the European Union that have the euro as their sole currency. The euro is now the second most traded currency after the United States Dollar. The transfer took place at midnight of the new year 1999, but old currencies were still accepted for three more years. The impact of the euro on the U.S. was not very significant, unless you are able to really crunch the numbers as an economist. -
King Hussein Bin Talal of Jordan Dies
Hussein of Jordan was one of the longest serving leaders in international politics as King for 46 years. He was a man of a peace who was involved in many Middle East conflicts. Bill Clinton said "He was an extraordinary and immensely charismatic persuader for peace. At the peace talks in America when he was extremely ill, he was there, talking to both sides, urging them forward, telling them nothing must stand in the way of peace." His loss was saddening for the whole world. -
General Pervez Musharraf Overthrows the Pakistani Government
The 10th president of Pakistan, placed himself in power when Nawaz Sharif tried to put Musharraf's position in the hands of another political official. Later Musharraf became an ally with the United States after the September 11 bombings on the twin towers. Musharraf was generally not liked by other Middle Eastern nations because of his policies, but was praised by Jewish leadership. -
Vladimir Putin Becomes Acting President
Putin was elected Acting President when Yeltsin expectantly resigned. His first acts done as president were involved with dropping of all current and former investigations with Russian presidents, a bit fishy. The United States were cautious when Putin was first elected. But when Putin supported the United States with it's war on terror, relations were seeming to get better. However, his current policies have decreased such friendly relations.