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The Hubble Telescope is Launched
NASA was given the funding by Congress in 1977 for a large space telescope and had been initially planned to be launched in 1983 however, due to several delays, one of which being the Challenger's explosion on January 28thm, 1986. It would then be launched on April 24th, 1990. This is a significant milestone for space exploration and discovery by NASA going forward. (kwch.com) -
The First Smartphone is Invented
The first smartphone was created in 1992. It was called the "Simon" that had a touchscreen and the ability to send and be sent email and faxes, act as a pager, and perform other functions that smartphones are known to have. It would not be released until mid-1994. This is a significant event not only for the U.S. but for the world by showing how smartphones can be used which is a technology that is widely used today. (arrow.com) -
Bill Clinton Goes into Office
Bill Clinton had gone into office with voters expecting his administration to focus on economic reforms. His economic reforms were delayed at the start of his presidency because of "culture wars" and his creation of policies such as the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy that banned gay people who were open about their sexuality in the military. This example of Bill Clinton's presidency shows the changing social tensions in the U.S. and how the government had responded to it. (Kruse and Zelizer, 204) -
Amazon is Launched
Jeff Bezos launches the website Amazon, initially specializing in only selling books. The company would later broaden out to selling more products than just books. This is a significant event in history because Amazon would become the largest online retailer both in the United States as well as around the world.(britannica.com) -
Google is Founded
Google (Initially named Google Inc.) is an American company that was founded by both Sergey Brin and Larry Page. It would begin as an online search firm but would later offer more than 50 Internet services. This is a major event because it had made information increasingly more accessible to everyone with its search engine. (britannica.com) -
ISS Opens
The International Space Station opens. It is operated by its first resident crew to live in the station. It was assembled in orbit with the help of the United States, Russia, and other nations. It was designed as a way for multiple nations to work together when working with outer space. It is a significant event for the United States by both pushing forward with research on outer space as well as fostering an environment where both the United States and Russia work together. (britannica.com) -
Apple's iPod is Released
Apple launches their iPod, changing the way that people would listen to their music going forward. This would also set the stage for the later release of Apple's iPhone. This is a big landmark because of it changing both the music industry by allowing for music to become more portable as well as paving the way for the iPhone, an advancement in technology that would change the world and how it operates. (britannica.com) -
USA Patriot Act is Signed by the House
After 9/11 as a precaution for any possible future terrorist attacks, the United States looked at previous vulnerabilities in their security. This would lead to legislation like the USA Patriot Act which was voted 357 to 66 by the House. It extended the government's ability to spy on people using devices such as wiretaps and tracing phones without warrants in some cases. This shows how events like 9/11 had shaped U.S. policy going forward. (Kruse and Zelizer, 257) -
The Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster
The space shuttle Columbia had broke up upon returning to earth in February 1st, 2003. This had killed seven astronauts on board the shuttle and in turn suspended shuttle flights for more than two years in investigation. This had been the second space shuttle disaster in United States history since the Challenger explosion in 1986. This is a significant event in U.S. history due to the fact it had affected the organization NASA for years to come. (space.com) -
Barack Obama is Elected President
In the 2008 presidential election, Barack Obama had won against Republican candidate John McCain. Both of these candidates were previously United States senators. This is a historical moment in the modern United States because it is the first time in American history where an African American person had won the presidency. (onthisday.com)