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Ronald Reagan is inaugurated as the 40th President
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False Missile Alert in Russian Missile Base
Tensions were high between the US and Soviet Union (due to the Russian takedown of an astray plane with a US Congressman onboard), and a missile attack was feared. The computer system reported five missiles from the US headed towards Moscow and protocol was to send retaliatory missiles. However, Stanislav Petrov believed that an initial strike would contain more missiles and be corroborated by the radar. He did not report the missiles (which were not sent) and avoided nuclear war. -
The Mount Caramel Siege
A group of religious extremists were reported to be stockpiling illegal weapons. After a raid resulted in the deaths of four federal agents, the FBI began a siege of the compound. On this date, they attempted a nonlethal measure with teargas and armored vehicles to get them to exit the building. However, the extremists set the building on fire and almost all died. -
Chernobyl Nuclear Power Disaster
The Number 4 reactor had several mechanical failures and reached a critical meltdown. To date, it is the worst nuclear disaster to have ever occured. Its cleanup took many years and the effects are still felt today. -
President Reagan delivers a fiery speech
Delivered at one of the gates of the Berlin Wall, Reagan challenges the Russian leader by saying, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this Wall!" -
George H. W. Bush is inaugurated as the 41st President
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Border Guards allow citizens through the Berlin Wall
CItizens were allowed through the gates without revoking their citizenship or anything. This represents the end of the terror of the Berlin Wall, and the crumbling power of the Soviet Union. -
Iraqi troops invade Kuwait
This aggression in the name of oil by the Iraq government led to US involvement and is the official start of the Gulf War. -
President Bush declared a ceasefire ending the Gulf War
After a few short months of combat, the Iraqi troops had been repelled from Kuwait and set fire to the oil fields as they retreated. Heavy bombing from the US and Coalition forces inflicted casualties in the retreating forces before the ceasefire. -
World Wide Web is introduced to the public
While still in an early form, the Web was invented and available to access from the general public and the Information Age was being ushered in. -
Bill Clinton is inaugurated as the 42nd President
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Terrorist bombs Federal Building in Oklahoma City
Killing over 160 people and wounding at least 650 others, this domestic terror attack was domestic (carried out by an American). It was the deadliest terror attack before September eleventh. -
Deep Blue beats chess world champion
IBM's computer named Deep Blue set a record when it finally beat chess world champion Garry Kasparov. This is a turning point showing the rapid development of computer progress. -
A spacecraft lands on Mars
The NASA spacecraft named Pathfinder lands on Mars, becoming the first rover to operate on there. This is a great achievement regarding space exploration beyond the Moon. -
President Bill Clinton is impeached by the House
He became the second President to be impeached (after Andrew Johnson) though he was not found guilty by the Senate. He was impeached on the grounds of Perjury and Obstruction of Justice. -
George W. Bush is inaugurated as the 43rd President
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Terrorist attack on the Twin Towers and Pentagon
Multiple planes were hijacked and flown into buildings with the intent of killing as many people as possible and bringing terror to the heart of Americans. The response was the start of the War on Terror, as well as an increased American spirit for patriotism and unity. More than two thousand Americans died, and the nation swore to never forget what happened.