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Oklahoma City Bombing
On April 19, 1995, a truck bomb exploded outside the Alfred Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people and injuring about 600, including children. Timothy McVeigh, a Gulf War veteran, planted the bomb with help from Terry Nichols. Linked with white Nationalist groups, they sought revenge for Ruby Ridge and Waco. The bombing was the deadliest act of domestic terrorism at the time, highlighting the growing threat of anti-government extremism in the US. (Kruse Zelizer, 220-221) -
President Bill Clinton Impeached
In early 1998, it was revealed that President Bill Clinton had an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. He was impeached in December 1998 by the House, not for the affair itself but for lying under oath and obstructing justice about his relationship. The Senate held a trial but did not remove him from office. As only the second U.S. presidential impeachment, it raised major questions about presidential conduct, accountability, political ethics. (Kruse and Zelizer, 226-227) -
Columbine High School Shooting
On April 20, 1999, students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold carried out a mass shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado, killing 13 and injuring 24. The shooters were outsiders who were often bullied, and their actions shocked the nation. Columbine is known as one of the earliest mass school shootings in the U.S. due to its media attention, sparking debates on school safety, mental health, and gun violence. The shooting serves as an example for the need of stricter gun control. (Robb 2009) -
Bush v. Gore Supreme Court Ruling
The 2000 election between Al Gore and George W. Bush came down to Florida, with neither reaching the needed 270 electoral votes. Bush led by a thin 500 vote margin, prompting the Gore campaign to request a recount. On December 12, 2000, the Supreme Court stopped the recount in a 5-4 decision, awarding the presidency to Bush, despite Gore winning the popular vote. The controversial ruling reshaped public views on elections, voting rights and the Supreme Court's power. (Kruse and Zelizer, 240-242) -
Terrorist Attacks
On September 11, 2001, 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four planes in the US. Two hit the Twin Towers in New York City, one hit the Pentagon in Washington DC, and one into a Pennsylvania field after passengers fought back. About 3,000 people died. 9/11 remains the deadliest terrorist attack on US soil, leading to years of military conflict in the Middle East and increased islamophobia. The tragedy also united Americans and showed the world the nation's resilience. (Kruse and Zelizer, 249–251) -
Hurricane Katrina
In August 2005, Category 5 Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, devastating New Orleans when levees broke and caused massive flooding. With $108 billion in damages and 1,833 deaths, it remains one of the worst hurricanes in US history. Emergency response was slow on helping citizens, most of which were poor and Black. Images from New Orleans exposed the flaws in disaster response and highlighted social inequalities, shaping future emergency management policies. (Kruse and Zelizer, 280-281) -
The Great Recession
The Great Recession began in December 2007,triggered by the collapse of the US housing bubble and risky lending,leading to bank failures,10% unemployment, and a sharp drop in household wealth. The US responded with fiscal stimulus, and the Federal Reserve cut rates,introduced forward guidance, and launched asset purchases. Though the recession ended in June 2009,its effects lingered,making it the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression and reshaping global economic policies.(Rich 2013) -
Election of Barack Obama
On November 3, 2008, Senator Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States, defeating Republican Senator John McCain with 365 electoral votes to McCain's 173. He also won the popular vote. Obama became the first African American president in the United States, and his election marked a significant step forward in civil rights and representation after decades of racial division in the country. (Weisman and Meckler 2008) -
Operation Neptune Spear
After 9/11, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in pursuit of Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaeda leader behind the attacks. While efforts under the Bush administration failed, bin Laden was eventually located in Abbottabad, Pakistan. On May 2, 2011, during Operation Neptune Spear, SEAL Team Six shot and killed him. The operation, built on years of intelligence, marked a major victory in the War of Terror, boosted U.S. morale, and signaled a strong stance against terrorism. (Schaeffer 2013) -
Boston Marathon Bombing
On April 15, 2013, two homemade bombs exploded near the Boston Marathon finish line, killing three and injuring over 100, many severely. In the chaotic days that followed, the bombers killed a police officer, engaged in a shootout, and triggered a citywide lockdown. The attack sparked fear and renewed focus on terrorism, public safety, and emergency response after 9/11. It also demonstrated the resilience of Bostonians and had a lasting impact on national security policies. (Taylor 2025) -
Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage
Prior to 2015, some states in the U.S. banned same-sex marriage. However, on June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry under the 14th Amendment. The decision required all states to recognize and license same-sex marriages, marking a major victory in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States and reflecting evolving societal views on love, marriage, and civil rights. (Chappell 2015)