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Oklahoma City Bombing
The Alfred Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was bombed by a truck on April 19, 1995, resulting in the death of 168 people and injuring 600 others. Two men in a white nationalist group, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, were found guilty. This bombing drew attention to the white hate groups that were forming in the 1990s, forcing the country to realize that terrorists were domestic and foreign.
"Kruse and Zelizer, 220" -
Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penality
In response to the Oklahoma City Bombing, Clinton passed a law to increase the power of the government. This prohibited certain firearms and spread chemicals. Finalized a year after the bombing, it made terrorism a federal crime, stopped funding to certain groups, and allowed immigrants to be deported without judicial review.
'Kruse and Zelizer, 221' -
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
Social conservatives pushed the DOMA Act, defining marriage as between one man and one woman for federal purposes. Bob Barr, the congressman of Georgia, proposed this law to ensure that states do not recognize same-sex marriage from others, and legally define marriage as heterosexual. This is significant because it shows the view of homosexuals during that time.
'Kruse and Zelizer 218' -
Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal
In January 1998, President Clinton and intern Monica Lewinsky were caught having a secret relationship in the White House. Clinton publicly denied the allegations, and the case was brought to the grand jury, leading to Clinton's impeachment for lying under oath, sexual harassment, and obstruction of justice.
'History.com, December 19, 2025' -
War on Terror
After the attacks of 9/11, Bush announced that the government would follow and dismantle Al-Qaeda despite being a difficult fight. This resulted in sending troops to Afghanistan and Iraq, improving surveillance, and tightening security. 'Kruse and Zelizer, 254' -
Attack on World Trade Center
Four commercial planes were hijacked by nineteen member of Al Qaeda, an Islamic terrorit group. Two planes hit the Twin Towers in New York City, another hit the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and the third was fortunately overturned by passangers. This attack shocked the country, leading to security and foreign policy changes.
'Kruse and Zelizer, 249' -
No Child Left Behind
No Child Left Behind was a federal law appointed in 2001. It aimed to improve education by increasing accountability in schools and states and solidifying government funding. One month after signing the bill, Bush cut the funding, leaving Democrats angry and confirming what they had been worried about, which was NCLB was an unfunded mandate. The bill was signed on January 8, 2002
'Kruse and Zelizer, 248' -
Hurricane Katrina
A category 5 hurricane hit New Orleans in the summer of 2005, leaving the city with an estimated $108 billion in property damage and 1,833 deaths marking it the deadliest hurricane in American history. The aftermath was so awful that the country took days to move towards cleaning up, putting a bad image on the government, specifically targeted at Bush's presidency.
'Kruse and Zelizer, 280' -
Virginia Tech Shooting
On the campus of Virginia Tech, a shooter opened fire, leaving thirty-three people dead and seventeen injured. This was the deadliest shooting in America at the time and sparked gun violence awareness worldwide, gun laws, and drew attention to the mental health issues that the government ignored. 'Brittanica.com, Amy Tikkanen, April 9, 2025' -
Sandy Hook Shooting
At Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, 26 people were killed. Twenty of these deaths were first-grade students, horrifying the country. Shortly after, President Obama signed a set of 23 Gun Violence Reduction Executive Actions and the increasing use fo media during the time spread gun awareness throughout the country. National Library of Medicine, November 2013 -
Boston Marathon Bombing
On the 117th Boston Marathon, two brothers with extremist Islamic beliefs made pressure-cooker bombs and set them off at the race's finish line. As tragic as the event was, the Boston community drew closer together along with the support of the nation. Medical workers emphasized the importance of trauma and response across the country
History.com, March 28, 2014