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Bill Clinton Becomes President
Bill Clinton took office as the 42nd President of the United States on January 20th, 1993. He hoped to help middle class Americans who he believed "worked hard and played by the rules" (Kruse and Zelizer, 204). Clinton also promoted economic stability through tax increases on the wealthy. He presented himself as a relatable leader who put the people of the United States first. Through his promotion of economic success and social progress Clinton became the President of the United States. -
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy
The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy was created by the United States Congress and President Bill Clinton to lift the ban of homosexuals in the military. Despite lifting the ban, these individuals were not allowed to discuss their sexuality while in service or engage in sexual activity. Commanding Officers were also not allowed to question members on their sexual orientation. This act did very little to change the treatment of homosexuals in military service (Kruse and Zelizer, 206). -
The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996
The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 was a piece of legislation passed by the United States Congress and President Bill Clinton. This act worked to increase the power of the federal government and strengthen law enforcement to combat acts of terrorism. It also allowed for deportation of illegal immigrants and made terrorism a federal crime. This act was important for its ability to investigate and prevent terrorist activities in the United States (Kruse and Zelizer, 221). -
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 was a piece of welfare reform legislation passed during the Bill Clinton administration. This act pushed families off of the welfare program by terminating their benefits after a two year period, and restricting their total assistance eligibility to five years. This act was important as it aimed to transform the current welfare system by promoting work, self-sufficiency, and responsibility (Kruse and Zelizer, 219). -
The Defense Marriage Act
The Defense Marriage Act was created by United States Congress and President Bill Clinton to address marriage in the United States. This act established a legal definition of marriage and stated that marriages could only be between a man and a woman. This definition prohibited the government from recognizing same-sex marriages on a federal level. This act also allowed states the right not to recognize same sex marriage from other states that viewed this as legal (Kruse and Zelizer, 218). -
9/11
On September 11, 2001 terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes in the US. Two of these planes crashed into the World Trade Center in NYC, another flew into the Pentagon in Virginia, and the fourth plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to regain control of the plane. This was one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in history. This event had extreme consequences, leading to increased security and foreign policy in the United States (Kruse and Zelizer, 249). -
Creation of the Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security was created due to the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. It was constructed when the Homeland Security Act was signed into law. This group was created to protect the United States from threats including terrorist attacks, cybersecurity issues, and both domestic and international emergencies. By gathering information, the Department of Homeland Security protects US citizens from potential threats and dangers (Kruse and Zelizer, 262). -
Global Initiative on HIV/AIDS
The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief was an initiative created by the Bush administration to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic worldwide. This plan provided relief to countries that struggled heavily with HIV/AIDS, specifically places like Africa. This program focused on providing funding, treatment, preventing new infections, and strengthening healthcare systems for countries affected by HIV/AIDS. It has become one of the most successful HIV/AIDS programs worldwide (Kruse and Zelizer, 245). -
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina was a destructive category-5 hurricane that hit the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005. This hurricane was known as one of the deadliest hurricanes in American history, leading to 1,833 deaths and creating 108 billion dollars in damage. This storm especially effected New Orleans as the storm breached the levees leaving the city completely under water. The government lacked in their response to this disaster, leading to criticism and the need for reform (Kruse and Zelizer, 280). -
Barack Obama Becomes President
Barack Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United States in November of 2008. Obama was the first African American President to be elected in United States history and symbolizes the progress America has made towards equality. His presidency will have a lasting impact on the United States as he represents the diversity of this country and the importance of representation in positions of leadership. His election for presidency was an important moment that represented positive change.