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Election of 1992

Bill Clinton (Democrat) won, Democrats gained control of both the House and Senate, Ross Perot ran as a third-party candidate.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Clinton's policy regarding homosexuals in the military, accepting them unofficially while preventing open acknowledgment of their sexuality.

Hillary Clinton’s Health Care Reform

Proposed in 1993, aimed to revamp the nation's health care system but criticized as cumbersome and ineffective.

1993 World Trade Center Bombing

Bombing by a radical Muslim group in New York City that killed six people.

Waco Siege

Standoff in Waco, Texas, between the government and the Branch Davidian cult that ended in a fire, resulting in 82 deaths.

Oklahoma City Bombing

Carried out by Timothy McVeigh in 1995, killed 169 people.

Contract with America

Led by Newt Gingrich in 1994, attacked Clinton's liberal policies and helped Republicans gain seats in Congress.

Welfare Reform Bill

Passed by a conservative Congress, it cut welfare programs.

Election of 1996

Clinton re-elected, defeating Republican Bob Dole.

Affirmative Action Ruling

Struck down in a California court case affecting racial diversity policies.

1992 Los Angeles Riots

Violence and destruction following the acquittal of white police officers in the beating of a black suspect.

Economic Boom of the Late 1990s

Driven by low interest rates and the growth of Internet business.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Created a free-trade zone between Mexico, Canada, and the United States, eliminating tariffs.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Created in 1994 to promote international trade, supported by Clinton.

Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993

Provided job protection for men and women taking leave for family-related reasons.

Somalia Intervention

U.S. military intervention with later withdrawal of troops under Clinton.

U.S.-China Relations Under Clinton

Initially critical of China for human rights abuses, later supported due to trade importance.

U.S. Involvement in Yugoslavia

Commitment of American troops to NATO for peacekeeping purposes.

1993 Israel-Palestine Peace Meeting

Attempted reconciliation between Israel and Palestine led by Clinton, ended after Rabin’s assassination.

Lewinsky Affair

Clinton's affair with intern Monica Lewinsky, leading to impeachment charges.

Clinton’s Impeachment

House passed articles of impeachment for perjury and obstruction, Senate did not remove him.

Election of 2000

Al Gore vs. George W. Bush; Florida’s electoral votes were decisive, Supreme Court ruled in favor of Bush.

E Pluribus Plures

Concept of increasing ethnic and racial diversity in America.

Cultural Growth at Century’s End

Increase in education and interest in liberal arts, literature, art, film, and architecture.

National Endowment for the Arts (1965)

Government program supporting the arts in America.

Kyoto Treaty

International treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, rejected by President Bush.

Patriot Act

Expanded government's ability to monitor communications and deport terrorism suspects.

Department of Homeland Security

Created in 2002 to protect U.S. borders;

Guantanamo Detention Camp

Used to hold captured Taliban fighters from Afghanistan.

Axis of Evil

Term created by Bush in 2002, included Iraq, North Korea, and Iran.

No Child Left Behind Act

Mandated sanctions against schools failing to meet federal standards.

Abu Ghraib Prison

Famous for human rights violations of Iraqi prisoners during U.S. management.

Great Recession

Economic downturn in 2008 due to housing bubble and poor lending practices.

Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP)

Aimed to keep banks and businesses afloat during the Great Recession.

American Relief and Recovery Act

Economic stimulus bill supported by Obama, included tax cuts and job programs.

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Also known as Obamacare, required all Americans to buy health insurance.

Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

Overhauled the financial regulatory system.

Tea Party

Right-wing movement opposing most of Obama's policies.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Policy repealed in 2010 that barred openly gay individuals from military service.

Occupy Wall Street

Protests highlighting income inequality, began in 2011.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

Supreme Court ruling allowing unlimited political spending by corporations.

Government Shutdown (2013)

Forced by congressional Republicans, prevented Congress from passing a budget.

DREAM Act

Proposed legislation to provide a path to citizenship for undocumented youths.

Defense of Marriage Act

Ruled unconstitutional in 2013, denied federal benefits to same-sex couples.

NSA Spying Scandal

Revealed government spying on Americans by the National Security Agency.

Iran Nuclear Deal

Negotiated by Obama to curb Iran’s nuclear weapon development.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Cut corporate tax rate, expected to add $1 trillion to national debt.

America First

Trump’s foreign policy approach limiting U.S. involvement internationally.

George W. Bush

Republican president from 2001-2009, known for invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

Osama bin Laden

Leader of Al Qaeda, responsible for 9/11 attacks.

Saddam Hussein

Iraqi dictator overthrown by U.S. invasion in 2003.

John F. Kerry

Democratic nominee for president in 2004, lost to George W. Bush.

Dick Cheney

Vice President under George W. Bush, involved in CIA leak scandal.

Barack Obama

Democratic president from 2009-2017, known for the Affordable Care Act.

John McCain

Republican nominee for president in 2008, lost to Obama.

Sarah Palin

Republican vice-presidential nominee in 2008, running mate of McCain.

Mitt Romney

Republican nominee for president in 2012, lost to Obama.

Hillary Clinton

Ran against Obama in the 2008 primaries; Democratic nominee in 2016.

Donald Trump

Republican president from 2017-2021, known for the America First agenda.

Vladimir Putin

Russian president implicated in interference in the 2016 U.S. election.