As our nation grows ever more diverse, it confronts never-ending challenges. When President Bill Clinton’s questionable personal behavior got him in very public trouble in 1997 and 1998, the Constitution of 1787 provided a remedy. Only the second president in American history to be impeached, Clinton’s presidency survived a trial in the Senate. The first presidential election of the new millennium created another constitutional crisis. The race between Democrat Al Gore and Republican George W. Bush ended up so close, with the results in Florida so disputed, that the Supreme Court stepped in to effectively determine the outcome. Then came another crisis, as foreign terrorists attacked. After September 11, 2001, we were faced with some familiar questions, questions about the balance between liberty and national security that the Framers asked back in 1787. |
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September 17, 1987
On this day Country celebrates Constitution’s bicentennial birthday
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October 23, 1987
Senate rejects Robert Bork’s nomination to the Supreme Court
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November 13, 1987
The Iran-Contra affair tests our system of checks and balances
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January 20, 1989
On this day George Bush inaugurated as president
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December 14, 1989
On this day Voters oust regime of Augusto Pinochet in Chile’s first presidential election in 19 years
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July 26, 1990
American with disabilities fight for dignity and equal rights
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May 7, 1992
States ratify Twenty-seventh Amendment (first proposed in 1789), limiting congressional pay raises
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June 29, 1992
On this day Supreme Court refuses to overrule its controversial Roe v. Wade abortion decision in Planned Parenthood v. Casey
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December 6, 1992
In the new Czech Republic, the chief executive will answer to Parliament
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December 16, 1992
On this day Czechoslovakia adopts new constitution
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January 20, 1993
On this day Bill Clinton inaugurated as president
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December 12, 1993
On this day Constitution of the Russian Federation ratified
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July 4, 1994
The idea of rule by “We, the People” takes root around the world
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November 5, 1994
On this day Republicans gain control of both Houses of Congress for first time in 40 years
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April 26, 1995
A little more power to the states; a little less to the federal government
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May 22, 1995
On this day Supreme Court strikes down state laws limiting congressional terms
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May 20, 1996
Colorado can’t ban laws protecting homosexuals
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February 12, 1997
On this day Proposed constitutional amendment to limit congressional terms fails in House of Representatives
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March 4, 1997
On this day Proposed constitutional amendment requiring balanced budget fails in Senate
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May 27, 1997
On this day Supreme Court rules Paula Jones may press her sexual harassment suit against President Clinton during his term of office
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December 19, 1998
On this day Congress impeaches President Clinton following inquiry into his relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky
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1999
Map of World Governments
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February 12, 1999
Clinton’s the second president to be impeached but stay in office
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March 24, 1999
On this day U.S. warplanes strike Serbia as part of NATO campaign to protect ethnic Albanians in Kosovo
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December 13, 2000
A disputed election ends with a dignified transfer of power
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January 20, 2001
On this day George W. Bush inaugurated as 43rd president of the U.S.
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July 10, 2001
We’re still a nation of immigrants, growing even more diverse
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September 11, 2001
On this day Terrorists attack the World Trade Center and Pentagon, provoking war on terrorism
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October 25, 2001
Terror attacks push us to ask how we can be safe and live free
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June 20, 2002
On this day Supreme Court, in Atkins v. Virginia, rules unconstitutional executions of mentally retarded criminals
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June 23, 2003
On this day Supreme Court upholds affirmative action in college admission
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June 26, 2003
On this day Supreme Court strikes down Texas law criminalizing homosexual conduct
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