Opinion

Top 5 U.S. Historical Moments in the 21st Century

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In the last 19 years since the start of the new millennium, many important events have occurred in the United States. These events have had life altering effects. Here are 5 of the most important moments.

5. Election of President Trump

President Trump and Vice President Pence at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States the current president, was elected president and took the oath of office on January 20, 2017. He ran against Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, but President Trump won the electoral vote. His presidency has been highly controversial around the globe. Congress has started the process of impeachment with the majority of the House of Representatives supporting it. To learn more about President Trump, visit biography.com.

4. Sandy Hook School Shooting

Photo courtesy of islaminbaltimore.com
A person kneels at a memorial for the victims of the Sandy Hook School shooting.

On December 14th, 2012 in Newtown, CT, 26 people were killed by an armed gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Twenty of those who were killed were 6 and 7 year old students. This event rocked the nation. No one could believe that a 20 year old man would harm innocent children and their teachers. 

This tragic event has caused the American government to work on gun control in America. Since Sandy Hook, many more mass shootings have taken place. The shooter had a rifle with 10 magazines with 30 rounds each. This event has sparked debates over whether civilians should be able to buy military grade weapons. To learn more about the Sandy Hook School shooting, visit history.com.

3. Iraq War

Photo courtesy of d.ibtimes.co.uk
British soldiers in 2003 in front of a mural of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in Basra, Iraq.

The Iraq War started on March 20, 2003. A United States led coalition overthrew the government, led by Saddam Hussein. Our initial purpose in Iraq was to destroy the Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, which were never found. Eight years and eight months later, the Iraq War officially ended with 4,424 American soldiers losing their lives and almost 32,000 more wounded. The US still has soldiers in Iraq. As of March 20, 2019 there were still an estimated 5,200 soldiers still stationed there. To learn more about the Iraq War, visit foreignpolicy.com.

2. Election of President Obama

In 2010, President Obama was in the Roosevelt room with his staff and middle school students. He was waving while on the phone to astronauts on the International Space Station.

Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States won the election on November 4, 2008. He ran against John McCain, and his campaign was notable for its digital strategy and fundraising efforts. He was then reelected in 2012 against Mitt Romney. He became the first African American president in United States history. He won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. To learn more about President Obama, go to thoughtco.com.

1. 9/11

Photo courtesy of wbur.org
A picture of the Twin Towers after being hit by the two planes on 9/11.

On September 11th, 2001, four planes were hijacked by a terrorist group called Al-Qaeda Two planes hit the Twin Towers in New York City, one was headed for the White House but crashed in Pennsylvania, and one hit the Pentagon. Almost 3,000 people were killed and 6,000 people were injured. 

This then led to the war in Iraq which has kept troops in the Middle East ever since. After 9/11, there was a manhunt for the leader of Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden. He was killed in May of 2011 by Seal Team Six in Pakistan. This infamous day shook the country to its core. Every American will never forget this day, and where they were when they heard it happened. To learn more about 9/11, go to history.com.

By Jenna Ehrler, Sarah Gahan, and Mike Groteke

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