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The Hubble telescope launched out of the Kennedy space center after decades of planning. It was a monumental feat because it has entirely transformed the way scientists study and understand the universe. It orbits just above Earth's atmosphere, allowing it to take incredibly clear pictures of space. It transmits 150 gigabits of raw science data per week. underwent multiple servicing missions throughout the 1990s and 2000s which have greatly increased its longevity. (Garner) -
After the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait members of NATO, including the United States, rushed to intervene. The war was brought on by oil conspiracies and it lasted less than a year due to militant action from the coalition. About 10000 people were killed, predominantly Iraqi forces. The U.S. is credited with leading a massive air attack known as Operation Desert Storm. It was an important feat for America because they led members of the coalition to successfully achieve Kuwait's sovereignty. (Onion) -
NAFTA was an agreement signed by Canada, the US, and Mexico to promote trade between the 3 countries. It greatly reduced the impact of tariffs on goods exchanged for these countries. It also called for a simplified method of physically exchanging goods across the border. It was important because it helped to stimulate trade throughout North America. However, this agreement did eliminate many manufacturing jobs in the US, as many companies relocated to Mexico.(North American Free Trade Agreement) -
Google is one of the most successful American companies ever. It was dreamed up in a dorm room at Stamford University and has since created millions of jobs and opportunities. It facilitates a majority of the world's internet traffic because it is the parent company of multiple popular internet services. This company changed the trajectory of mankind due to its unique and target search results. Google has the unique ability to organize the world's information and make it accessible to all.(Hall) -
Clinton was faced with impeachment following charges concerning perjury and obstruction related to a sexual assault allegation. His sexual relationships were called into question, including an affair with an intern. This was only the second presidential impeachment. It highlighted the tensions between different branches of government. Despite its political consequences, the scandal had a significant impact on the growth of many major cable news channels, such as MSNBC and Fox. (Kruse, 224) -
The massacre at Columbine High School is one of the most infamous school shootings in American history. This event was carried out by two teenagers with semiautomatic guns and explosives. It left 15 dead and many injured. Unfortunately there has been an upward trend in school shootings since the attack at Columbine. Columbine massacre set off a national debate on how to end gun violence in schools, and the tragedy at Columbine has totally transformed the culture of American schools.(Tikkanen) -
The largest act of terrorism on American soil took place September 11, 2001. Members of Al Qaeda hijacked planes and crashed them into the Pentagon and World Trade Center. Over 3000 lives were lost, resulting in increased patriotism, the War on Terrorism and significant changes to foreign policy. The attack fundamentally changed the way many Americans thought about their safety. The Department of Homeland Security was later established to prevent future attacks. (911 FAQS) (Fault Lines, 241) -
The Human Genome Project revolutionized the way people understand DNA. It was critical for understanding gene variation and the genetic causes of certain diseases. Multiple countries contributed to this scientific feat, but a majority of the work was done on American soil. The ability to sequence of the human genome has greatly benefitted many scientific fields and has directly impacted all humans in regards to medicine. The project granted the world a better understanding of human life. (NIH) -
Hurricane Katrina was the most costly natural disaster in American history. Katrina impacted many states, but none more so than Louisiana. Many of the safeguards put in place to protect New Orleans failed, resulting in massive floods throughout the city. Almost 2000 lives were lost. This event had the potential to be far less tragic had the government listened to the advice of the National Weather Service and properly prepared for it. It caused major mistrust in the government. (Kruse, 280) -
The Great Recession is the period in American history between December 2007 & June 2009. Deregulation of the financial sector, namely mortgage backed securities heavily contributed to the recession. The crash of the US housing market caused high unemployment rates, the collapse of major financial institutions, and a decline in home values. Significant government intervention was needed to stabilize the economy. The effects were felt throughout the world, making it a major global event.(Weinberg) -
Barack Obama was the 44th president of the United States. He was and first African American to hold presidential office. Obama overcame many systemic challenges to earn this position, as he was also the son of an immigrant. His personal background and campaign platform garnered the support of a diverse group of voters. Obama remained optimistic concerning the Great Recession and laid the groundwork for economic growth. His inauguration is symbolic of progress towards racial equality. (Onion)