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Period: to
1990 - 2010
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LAPD Beating of Rodney King
In 1991, Los Angeles exploded after Rodney King, an African American man, was pulled over by police. A bystander captured the beating of King by officers of the Los Angeles Police Department on video. The disturbing footage, showing King subdued on the ground and still being struck, sparked outrage over police brutality and racial tensions. The officers' acquittal on state charges led to riots across the city. -
California Coalition for Immigration Reform
In 1994, Barbara Coe founded the California Coalition for Immigration Reform, which advocated for stricter immigration policies in California. The organization became influential in shaping public opinion and policy discussions on the topic of immigration in the state. This included border security enhancements and restrictions on social services for undocumented immigrants. (Kruse and Zelizer, 219) -
Oklahoma City Bombing
Timothy McVeigh, an ex-soldier harboring rage against the government, detonated a bomb outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. This killed 168 people, including 19 kids in a daycare center. Workers battled dust and debris searching for survivors as over 500 lay injured. This domestic terror attack exposed the vulnerability of America and the depths of McVeigh's anger. The bombing site now stands as a memorial park, a reminder of the tragedy and strength displayed in the face of horror. -
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) of 1996 is a piece of legislation that defined marriage as exclusively between one man and one woman at the federal level. It barred the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages and denied these couples access to federal benefits. It also allowed states to refuse recognition of same-sex marriages from other states. The Act sparked legal challenges and public debate. -
Columbine High School Massacre
In 1999, two students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, armed with guns and explosives, began their attack outside, killing one student. They then moved into the school, targeting students in the library. In total, they murdered 12 students and one teacher, wounding over 20 others, before taking their own lives. This horrific event, the deadliest high school shooting in US history at the time, sparked national debates about gun violence, school safety, and the motivations behind such tragedies. -
Bush v Gore
In the year 2000, Bush v. Gore settled the disputed 2000 presidential election by stopping the manual recount in Florida. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 against the recount, effectively granting Bush the presidency due to his narrow lead in the initial count. The decision remains controversial, with critics arguing it interfered with the democratic process. (Kruse and Zelizer, 242) -
USA Patriot Act
This act of 2001, enacted after the events that took place on September 11th, expanded government surveillance and law enforcement powers to combat terrorism. It allowed significantly more monitoring of communications and financial transactions between agencies, as well as the facilitated information sharing. Despite the concerns risen about civil liberties, it has been renewed and modified several times. (Kruse and Zelizer, 257) -
1st State to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage. This decision stemmed from the landmark ruling in the case of Goodridge v. Department of Public Health by the state's Supreme Judicial Court. It emphasized that denying same-sex couples the right to marry was a violation of the state constitution's principles of equality and liberty. It also challenged various discriminatory laws and fosters greater acceptance/recognition of diverse relationships. (Kruse and Zelizer, 273) -
Hamdan v Rumsfeld
In June 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-3 in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld which deemed the military commissions at Guantanamo Bay illegal. The decision highlighted violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the Geneva Conventions while underscoring legal standards, stating the commissions lacked "congressional authorization" and "essential protections". The ruling reshaped debates on executive authority and national security law. (Kruse and Zelizer, 285). -
PRISM Program
Launched in 2007, the PRISM program was a covert surveillance initiative by the NSA. It allowed the NSA to gather electronic communications data from major tech companies such as Google and Facebook. Its revelation in 2013 by Edward Snowden ignited global debate over privacy rights and government surveillance. Critics voiced concerns about its implications for civil liberties. Meanwhile, supporters argued it was necessary for national security in an "increasingly digital world".