980s and 1990s U.S. Political and Historical Events Overview

The Camp David Accords of 1978

Peace treaty between Egypt and Israel brokered by Carter.

The Iran Hostage Crisis

1979-81 U.S. embassy hostage crisis in Iran.

Three Mile Island

1979 nuclear accident causing energy safety fears.

The Moral Majority

Conservative Christian political group influencing 1980s politics.

Reaganomics

Reagan's economic policy emphasizing tax cuts and deregulation.

SDI

Reagan's proposed missile defense system nicknamed 'Star Wars.'

Sandra Day O'Connor

First female Supreme Court Justice, appointed in 1981.

Deregulation

Reduction of government controls over industries.

Geraldine Ferraro

First female vice presidential candidate for a major party (1984).

Glasnost and Perestroika

Gorbachev's policies of openness and economic reform in the USSR.

The I.N.F Treaty

1987 arms control agreement between U.S. and USSR.

The Grenada Invasion

1983 U.S. military action to remove Marxist government.

The Iran-Contra Scandal

Reagan-era secret arms sales to Iran and funding of Contra rebels.

Read my lips

George H. W. Bush's broken pledge of 'no new taxes.'

Clarence Thomas

Conservative Supreme Court Justice confirmed amid controversy.

Operation Desert Storm

1991 U.S.-led coalition war to liberate Kuwait from Iraq.

Ross Perot

1992 third-party presidential candidate focused on the national debt.

The Oklahoma City Bombing

1995 domestic terrorist attack killing 168 people.

N.A.F.T.A and G.A.T.T

Trade agreements promoting economic cooperation between North America and globally.

Newt's Contract with America

1994 Republican agenda for conservative reforms.

Monica and Impeachment

Clinton's scandal and impeachment over an affair.

Columbine

1999 school shooting prompting gun control debates.