Important Events
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Last cat picture, I promise. Of course, as we live in the moment, it's hard to say what the most important events of our current lives are. Therefore, the modern day events will consist of events from 2000-2010, and the 80's events from 80-89. Now, as time progresses, there is always an important trend to take note of: Important events are always happening. A lot of what happened in the 1980's has a direct effect on what occurs today, like the founding of the internet or a revival in outdated fashion trends.
Important Events: 1980's
The Reagan Administration begins to accelerate the War on Drugs, made famous by Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" campaign. Of course, the War on Drugs becomes prominent because of a trend among celebrities and rich "yuppies" who made cocaine popular. Coke, a cheaper version of the drug, becomes widespread in inner-city areas, leading to gang warfare and violence. The Berlin Wall falls in 1989, signaling an end to the Cold War and the unification of East and West Germany, which occurred in 1990. In 1989 also, many former communist governments underwent mostly peaceful democratic revolutions, the exception being Romania, where the Communist leader attempted to keep the country isolated from the rest of the world. Mob violence eventually led to his death.
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Important Events: Modern Day
In September 2001, terrorists attacked the world trade center and several other locations by high-jacking several passenger jets. Casualties were around 3000 people (Sorry if this seems emotionless, I'm sure we all know exactly what happened and I don't want to go into too much detail about recent history). Following these attacks, President Bush declared a war on terror, sending troops to Afghanistan and Iraq to search out terrorist groups and stop them. In 2005, the Gulf of Mexico was rocked by one of the most powerful hurricanes ever witnessed. The Federal government was criticized for its sluggishness in its relief efforts, immortalized forever in the statement by musician Kanye West when he stated on live television that, "George Bush does not care about black people."
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What Can We Learn?
These time periods can be contrasted because of the different events and feelings that they garnered. In the 80's, the Cold War was still ongoing after 30 years. People still believed in the possibility of nuclear warfare as a serious possibility. The enemy then were guys with eastern European accents. Today our perceived "enemy" has changed to a guy in a robe and sandals. We no longer fear communism, but terrorism. The war on drugs was considered a good thing, compared to today where marijuana is almost legal in some parts of the country. American Youth largely supports the legalization of pot, which gives many the impression that we are becoming a generation of stoner couch potatoes. Instead of "just saying No", we're asking, "What are the real effects?" Of course, the long term affects remain to be seen, but if any indication can be gathered from the hippies of the 60's and 70's, I'm sure we'll be just fine.
Source(s):
http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/141529
http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/141529