Events linked across the portfolio.

U.S. Senate Approves Equal Rights Amendment for State Ratification

The proposed Equal Rights Amendment, originally drafted in 1923 by suffragists Alice Paul and Crystal Eastman, sought explicit constitutional protection against sex-based discrimination. After decades of advocacy and renewed momentum from the second-wave women’s movement, Representative Martha Griffiths reintroduced the measure. The House passed it in 1971, and on March 22, 1972, the Senate approved an identical version by an 84–8 vote, sending the amendment to the states with a seven-year ratification deadline later extended to 1982. President Richard Nixon endorsed the effort. Although 35 states ultimately ratified, the amendment fell three states short of the required 38, leaving its status contested in subsequent legal and political debates.

1972

Watergate Burglars Arrested, Sparking Scandal

On the night of June 16–17, 1972, five men were apprehended inside the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C., while attempting to install wiretaps and photograph documents. The intruders carried sophisticated equipment and had connections to the Committee to Re-elect the President. Initial coverage treated the incident as a routine burglary, but investigations soon revealed ties to the Nixon White House and a broader pattern of political espionage. The arrests set in motion congressional hearings, special prosecutions, and revelations of a cover-up that ultimately forced President Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974.

1972

Title IX Prohibits Sex Discrimination in Education

In the early 1970s, advocates highlighted systemic barriers facing women and girls in American schools, including limited athletic opportunities, biased admissions, and unequal resources. Sponsored by Senator Birch Bayh and others, the provision was added to broader education legislation. On June 23, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed the Education Amendments of 1972 into law, with Title IX stating that no person shall be excluded from participation in, denied benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any education program receiving federal financial assistance on the basis of sex. The statute applied to nearly all schools and required equitable treatment in academics, athletics, and other activities. Implementation began immediately, though regulations took several years to finalize.

1973

U.S. Supreme Court Issues Roe v. Wade Decision

In the decades leading up to 1973, most U.S. states maintained strict criminal laws restricting abortion except in narrow circumstances such as saving the mother's life. The case originated when Norma McCorvey, under the pseudonym Jane Roe, challenged a Texas statute banning most abortions, arguing it violated constitutional privacy rights. On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that the Texas law was unconstitutional, recognizing a woman's right to choose an abortion before fetal viability under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Justice Harry Blackmun authored the majority opinion establishing a trimester framework for state regulations. The decision immediately invalidated similar laws nationwide and transformed reproductive healthcare access.

1973

Nixon Signs U.S. Endangered Species Act into Law

By the early 1970s, habitat loss and overhunting had driven numerous American species toward extinction, prompting bipartisan concern. President Richard Nixon had called for stronger protections in 1972. On December 28, 1973, he signed the Endangered Species Act, which authorized federal agencies to identify and protect threatened and endangered plants and animals. The law prohibited actions that harmed listed species or their critical habitats and required recovery plans. It immediately listed several species and established a framework still in use today.

Culture 20th Century North America

Hank Aaron Breaks Babe Ruth's Home Run Record

In the mid-twentieth century, Major League Baseball stood as a national pastime grappling with its history of racial segregation while celebrating individual excellence. Hank Aaron, an African American outfielder for the Atlanta Braves who had endured death threats and pressure during his pursuit of the record, entered the 1974 season one home run shy of Babe Ruth's 714. On April 8, 1974, before a sellout crowd at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Aaron connected on a fourth-inning pitch from Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Al Downing, sending his 715th career home run over the left-field fence. The feat surpassed Ruth's long-standing mark and was celebrated amid national attention, with Aaron finishing his career with 755 homers.

House Committee Votes to Impeach Nixon

The Watergate scandal unfolded after a 1972 break-in at Democratic National Committee headquarters, with evidence emerging of a cover-up involving President Richard Nixon's administration, including tape recordings of Oval Office conversations. The House Judiciary Committee conducted months of hearings examining articles of impeachment for obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress. On July 27, 1974, the committee voted 27 to 11 in favor of the first article, charging Nixon with obstruction of justice related to the cover-up. Bipartisan support signaled eroding confidence in the president amid ongoing investigations and public pressure.

Politics 20th Century North America

President Nixon Announces Resignation Amid Watergate

The Watergate scandal, involving a break-in at Democratic headquarters and subsequent cover-up, had engulfed the Nixon administration by mid-1974 with mounting evidence of obstruction of justice. Facing certain impeachment by the House and conviction in the Senate after the release of incriminating tapes, President Richard Nixon addressed the nation on August 8, 1974. He stated he would resign effective at noon the following day, becoming the first U.S. president to do so. Vice President Gerald Ford was sworn in as the 38th president on August 9. The resignation followed months of congressional hearings, special prosecutor investigations, and eroding public support.

Politics 20th Century North America

Nixon Resigns Amid Watergate Scandal

The Watergate scandal, involving a break-in at Democratic National Committee headquarters and subsequent cover-up, had eroded public trust in the Nixon administration since 1972. Congressional investigations, Supreme Court rulings on tapes, and impeachment proceedings in the House intensified pressure on President Richard Nixon. On August 9, 1974, Nixon became the first U.S. president to resign from office, delivering a farewell address from the White House and transferring power to Vice President Gerald Ford. The resignation avoided a likely Senate conviction on articles of impeachment related to obstruction of justice and abuse of power. Ford's subsequent pardon of Nixon sparked further controversy over accountability.

President Ford Pardons Richard Nixon

In the wake of the Watergate scandal that forced Richard Nixon's resignation on August 9, 1974, newly sworn-in President Gerald Ford confronted deep national divisions over accountability for presidential misconduct. Ford, who had not been elected to either the presidency or vice presidency, weighed the need for closure against ongoing legal proceedings. On September 8, 1974, he issued a full, unconditional pardon to Nixon for any federal crimes committed during his presidency. The decision, announced from the Oval Office, aimed to end the national ordeal but immediately sparked widespread controversy and accusations of a deal. Nixon accepted the pardon without admitting guilt.

Technology 20th Century North America

1975

Bill Gates and Paul Allen Found Microsoft

In the mid-1970s, the personal computer revolution was beginning with hobbyist kits like the Altair 8800. Childhood friends Bill Gates and Paul Allen, inspired by a magazine cover, developed a BASIC interpreter for the machine while in Albuquerque. On April 4, 1975, they officially established Microsoft (initially Micro-Soft) to sell software for microcomputers. Gates served as CEO from the start, focusing on licensing software rather than hardware. The company quickly secured deals and relocated to Washington state, laying the foundation for dominant operating systems.

1978

Harvey Milk and George Moscone Assassinated in San Francisco

In the 1970s, San Francisco emerged as a center of LGBTQ+ activism amid broader civil rights movements, with Harvey Milk elected in 1977 as one of the first openly gay public officials in the United States. Tensions rose between progressive supervisors like Milk and more conservative colleagues, including former supervisor Dan White. On November 27, 1978, White entered City Hall through a basement window and fatally shot Mayor George Moscone in his office before killing Milk in an adjacent room. The assassinations shocked the city, sparking massive protests and highlighting deep divisions over gay rights, urban politics, and gun access in local government.

Technology 20th Century North America

1980

CNN Begins 24-Hour News Broadcasting

In the late twentieth century, cable television expanded rapidly in the United States, creating opportunities for specialized programming beyond the traditional broadcast networks. Media entrepreneur Ted Turner, already successful with the TBS superstation, envisioned a channel dedicated exclusively to news. On June 1, 1980, Cable News Network (CNN) signed on from its Atlanta headquarters with anchors David Walker and Lois Hart delivering the first broadcast. The debut featured live coverage and a commitment to continuous reporting, initially reaching a modest audience of about 1.7 million households. Despite early financial challenges, the network pioneered the 24-hour news cycle.

1981

Reagan Nominates Sandra Day O'Connor to Supreme Court

By the early 1980s, the U.S. Supreme Court had never included a woman justice despite decades of advocacy for gender equality in the legal profession. President Ronald Reagan, seeking to fulfill a campaign promise and diversify the bench, selected Arizona Court of Appeals Judge Sandra Day O'Connor, a moderate Republican with experience in state politics and law. On July 7, 1981, Reagan announced her nomination to replace retiring Justice Potter Stewart. The Senate confirmed her unanimously later that year, marking a historic first. O'Connor's appointment came amid shifting political landscapes on issues like abortion and federalism.

Technology 20th Century North America

1981

MTV Music Television Channel Debuts on Cable

In the late 1970s, cable television expanded in the United States, creating opportunities for niche programming. Music executives at Warner Communications developed a channel dedicated to music videos, targeting youth audiences. On August 1, 1981, MTV: Music Television began broadcasting from a small area in New Jersey. The launch featured the words "Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll" followed by The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star" as the first video. Initial programming mixed videos with veejay commentary, rapidly influencing record promotion, artist image, and youth culture. Within years, MTV expanded nationally and internationally.

Politics 20th Century North America

1984

Walter Mondale Selects Geraldine Ferraro as Running Mate

In the 1984 U.S. presidential campaign, Democratic nominee Walter Mondale sought to energize voters and address gender imbalances in politics amid the Reagan era. On July 12, Mondale announced New York Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro as his vice-presidential running mate, marking the first time a major American party nominated a woman for the office. Ferraro, a three-term representative known for her work on women's issues and foreign policy, brought experience from the House Budget Committee. The selection followed a competitive search process and aimed to broaden the ticket's appeal to women, minorities, and working-class voters.

1992

Los Angeles Riots Erupt After King Verdict

Following the April 29 acquittal of four Los Angeles police officers on most charges in the videotaped beating of Black motorist Rodney King, anger over perceived police misconduct and racial injustice boiled over in South Central Los Angeles. Crowds gathered, businesses were looted, and arson spread as tensions that had simmered since the incident the previous year ignited widespread unrest. Over the following days, the violence claimed dozens of lives, caused roughly a billion dollars in damage, and required deployment of National Guard troops and federal forces to restore order. The events exposed deep divisions in American policing and urban race relations.

Disaster 20th Century North America

1993

Truck Bomb Explodes at World Trade Center

In the early 1990s, a group of Islamist militants based in the United States plotted to strike symbolic targets as part of a broader campaign against American foreign policy in the Middle East. The conspirators, including Ramzi Yousef and others linked to al-Qaeda precursors, assembled a large urea nitrate bomb in a rented van. On February 26, 1993, the vehicle was parked in the underground garage beneath the World Trade Center's North Tower in New York City and detonated around noon. The explosion killed six people, injured more than 1,000, and caused significant structural damage but failed to topple the tower as intended. The attack marked the first major terrorist bombing on U.S. soil in the modern era and prompted...

1999

U.S. Senate Acquits President Clinton

Following the House of Representatives' approval of two articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton in December 1998 for perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Monica Lewinsky scandal, the Senate conducted a trial presided over by Chief Justice William Rehnquist. The proceedings featured witness testimony, legal arguments, and intense partisan debate over whether the charges met the constitutional standard of 'high crimes and misdemeanors.' On February 12, 1999, the Senate voted on the articles; neither secured the required two-thirds majority for conviction, with 45-55 on perjury and 50-50 on obstruction. Clinton remained in office to complete his second term. The outcome underscored the political nature of impeachment and the high bar for removing a president.

Technology 21st Century North America

2007

Apple Releases the First iPhone

In the mid-2000s, mobile phones primarily handled calls, texts, and basic media while personal digital assistants offered limited computing. Apple, under Steve Jobs, sought to merge phone, music player, and internet device into a single intuitive product. On June 29, 2007, the company launched the original iPhone in the United States with a multi-touch interface, full web browser, and app ecosystem foundation. Priced at $499 for the 4GB model and $599 for 8GB, it sold out quickly despite limited initial features like no third-party apps or copy-paste. The device reshaped consumer expectations for smartphones almost immediately.

Civil Rights 21st Century North America

2008

U.S. House Apologizes for Slavery and Jim Crow

Centuries of chattel slavery followed by decades of Jim Crow segregation left profound legacies of racial inequality in the United States. In the 21st century, growing calls for formal acknowledgment of these historical injustices gained traction in Congress. On July 29, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution apologizing for slavery and the subsequent discriminatory laws that enforced racial segregation. The measure expressed regret for the fundamental injustice and cruelty of slavery while recognizing the lasting impact on African American communities. It stopped short of offering reparations but represented a significant symbolic step in national reconciliation efforts.

Politics 21st Century North America

2008

Barack Obama Wins US Presidential Election

In the midst of the global financial crisis, Democratic Senator Barack Obama campaigned on themes of hope, change, and unity against Republican John McCain. On November 4, Obama secured 365 electoral votes and a popular vote majority, becoming the first African American elected president of the United States. His victory reflected shifting demographics and voter priorities amid economic turmoil. Obama was inaugurated the following January, marking a historic milestone in American political history.

Civil Rights 21st Century North America

2015

Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage Nationwide

By 2015, same-sex marriage was already legal in many U.S. states following years of state-level litigation and shifting public opinion. Cases from Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee reached the Supreme Court after conflicting lower court rulings on marriage equality. On June 26, 2015, the Court issued its 5-4 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, holding that the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to license and recognize same-sex marriages. Justice Anthony Kennedy's majority opinion framed marriage as a fundamental right tied to liberty and equality. The ruling immediately extended marriage rights to all 50 states and territories.