events from 1945-2000

  • Atomic bomb

    U.S drops atomic bombx on Japan
  • boycott on buses

    Montgomery Bus Boycott, led by a young Martin Luther King
  • Missle crisis

    The Cuban Missile crisis sparks a major confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union when the U.S. discovers the existence of Soviet missile installations in Cuba
  • Desegration

    Martin Luther King takes civil rights movement to the North; violent protests against housing desegregation in Chicago.
  • U.S president Nixon

    U.S. President Richard Nixon becomes the first U.S. leader to visit communist China, leading to a thaw in Cold War relations
  • CIA

    The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) secetly helps overthrow Chile's socialist government under Salvador Allende.
  • computer history

    Apple introduces Apple II, the first prominent personal computer
  • A war begins

    The Soviet Union invades Afghanistan, beginning a decade-long war that ends with their withdrawal in 1988
  • Missle treaty

    The Soviet Union accuses the United States of violating the 1972 Antiballistic Missile Treaty following President Reagan's announcement of his Strategic Defense Initiative, or "Star Wars" - a space-based defense shield intended to destroy attacking missiles.
  • soviet union

    Soviet union moves toward mixed economy .
  • End of cold war

    Fall of Berlin Wall heralds end of Cold War.
  • west and east Germany

    East and West Germany are reunited
  • War

    First Gulf War begins period of long-term American military involvement in the Middle East.
  • NAFTA

    creation of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), expands both globalization and outsourcing of American manufacturing jobs abroad.
  • Internet

    Internet becomes prominent
  • Treaty

    Republicans win massive gains in Congress, Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich issues “Contract with America”
  • Iran

    Reformists Win Control in Iran
  • NASDAQ

    The NASDAQ Composite Index reaches an all-time high over 5000
  • war

    Ethiopia and Eritrea Went Into Border War
  • Russia

    Russian submarine Kursk sinks in the Barents Sea. All 118 men aboard die
  • Olymic

    Olympic Games Open in Australia