-
Passage of Americans with Disabilities Act
Americans with disabilities act was signed on July 26, 1990 at a white house ceremony. This battle for equality started long before the act came to be. The first ADA was introduced to congress in 1988 and before that, in 1973, the Rehabilitation act signified a profound shift in the treatment of people with disabilities. The Americans with disabilities act prohibits employment, transportation, communication, and government discrimination against people with disabilities and promotes equality. -
Confermation of Clarence Thomas
Clarence Thomas was nominated for the supreme court by George H. W. Bush to replace Thurgood Marshal. HIs nomination was met with controversy from the start over Thomas's view on abortion. More opposition occured when Anita Hill, a law professor in the United States Department of Education, accused him of sexual harassment. The investigation created a media frenzy and a hearing by senate judiciary commitee. He was confirmed by a 52-48 vote. -
HUrricane Andrew
HUrricane Andrew was the most destructive natural disaster at its point in history. Currently, it's ranked second behind hurricane Katrina. It caused 65 fatalities with 175 mph winds, as a category 5 hurricane. Affected areas included Louisiana, Bahamas, and Florida. Initially, forcasters believed it was a storm that would die out. After all, the hurricane season had been quiet. Residence had less than a day to pack up and and evacuate the coastal areas, The devistation was as if a bomb went off -
US Soldiers in Somalia/Blackhawk Down
US soldiers in Somalia and Blackhawk Down shaped foreign policy in the united states for the next decade. US involvment in Somalia began in 1992, under the bush Administration. Tension and conflict during the 80's had increased dramatically and various reginal, warlords had come to power. One in particular, General AIdid, made it difficult for anyone to undestand the corrupted country. US troops were sent in to gain control and provide aid. Problems from lack of strategy and insufficient trainin -
Passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement
The North American free trade agreement was signed on January 1,1994.Its purpose was to eliminate tariff barriers on agricultural and manufacturing services, remove investment restrictions, protect property rights, and enforce labor and environmental regulations between the US, Canada, and Mexico. While free trade already existed between Canada and the US since 1989, the treaty expanded it. The direct effect of the treaty was on more than 365 million people (highly influencial to small business) -
Olympic Park Bombing
On July 27, 1996, Centennial Olympic Park was bombed in a terrorist attack. The bomb killed 1 person and injured 111 others. Eric Robert Rudolph was the bomber, but he wasn't convicted until 2003 after carrying out 3 more bombings. The bomb was planted in the park square and detonated during a concert, drawing many bystanders in. His pipe bomb was surrounded by 3 inch masonary nails and planted under a bench. Despite the injuries and devistation, the 1996 summer olympic games in Atlanta Georgia. -
Murder of Jon Benet Ramsey
Jon Benet Ramsey was murdered in Boulder, Colorado at the age of 6. She was a beuty queen with 2 wealthy parents. Jon Ramsey was found dead in the basement of her parents house. The investigation contained so many errors and remains unsolved. It wasn't until 2008 that her parents were declared inoccent. John and patsy Ramsey were not seperated and interrogated imediately. They hold the Boulder Police Department at fault for ruining their lives. -
Murder of Matthew Shepard
Shepard was 21 at the time of his death. He was a student at the University of Wyoming when he was beaten, tortured and left to die near Laramie on October 6, 1998. Shepard died 6 days later from severe head injuries. The murder of Matthew shepard earned huge media interest and attention to legislation on a national level for hate crimes. Shepard was murdered by Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson for his percieved sexual orientation. Matthew's mother became active in LGBTQ. -
NATO Bombing of Yugoslavia
From Mar24 to June 10, 1999, the NATO began an air attack on the serbians and federal republic of Yugoslavia during the Kosovo War. This was the first time NATO did such a thing without approval by the UN Security Council. It resulted in Yugoslavian troops pulling out of the war. The purpose was to stop human rights abuse in Kosovo. While NATO was successful, (withdrawing troops and initiating the Kumanova Treaty) the air raids left Yugoslavian economy and infustructure devistated. -
Columbine Shooting
On April 20,1999, Eric Harris(18) and Dylan Klebold(17) Open fired outside of their high school before proceeding inside and continued shooting. They killed 13 students and injured more than 20 other students and teachers. The 2 students then turned their guns on themselves. The aftermath left devistation in the victims families, as well as in the littleton community. Schools inacted a zero threat policy. The boys planned for a year to bomb the school, it failed, they started shooting.
