us-event
Nov. 21: The Senate deploys the "nuclear option," voting 52-48 to end the right of the minority to f
Nov. 21: The Senate deploys the "nuclear option," voting 52-48 to end the right of the minority to filibuster executive and judicial branch nominees. Under the new rules, a simple majority is required to end debate and move forward with a vote on nominees. The vote is called a monumental, once in a generation change to Senate procedure.
Aug. 21: Private Bradley Manning, age 25, is sentenced to 35 years in prison for leaking over 700,00
Aug. 21: Private Bradley Manning, age 25, is sentenced to 35 years in prison for leaking over 700,000 U.S. government files to WikiLeaks, files that contained classified U.S. military activities. It is the longest sentence ever given in the U.S. involving leaked government data to the public. Private Manning can be up for parole in seven years,… Read more
Sept. 30: The Senate rejects a Republican bill that will fund the government but delay the Affordabl
Sept. 30: The Senate rejects a Republican bill that will fund the government but delay the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The rejection increases the chance of a government shutdown at midnight because the spending bill must pass to fund the government. With just hours left before the deadline, the Senate votes against the spending… Read more
Sept. 10: Voters in Colorado throw out of office Democrats John Morse and Angela Giron for their sup
Sept. 10: Voters in Colorado throw out of office Democrats John Morse and Angela Giron for their support of recently enacted gun-control laws that mandate background checks on private gun sales and limit magazine clips to 15 rounds. The election draws national attention not only for the ouster of the officials but also for the influx of money on… Read more
Aug. 12: Notorious Boston gangster James (Whitey) Bulger is found guilty of 31 of the 32 charges he faced, including murder, extortion, money laundering, drug dealing and possession of weapons. Nov. 14: Bulger, age 84, receives two consecutive life sentences, plus five years.
Dec. 16: The first ruling against the NSA surveillance program is handed down by Judge Richard Leon of Federal District Court for the District of Columbia. He says the program is "significantly likely" to violate the Fourth Amendment which addresses protection against unreasonable searches. Dec. 18: Just days after the ruling, an advisory panel… Read more
Nov. 5: In November general elections, the Democrats get a key victory in Virginia when Terry McAuli
Nov. 5: In November general elections, the Democrats get a key victory in Virginia when Terry McAuliffe is elected governor in a tight race. In New Jersey, Republican Chris Christie easily wins a second term as governor. The decisive win cements him as a frontrunner for the Republican presidential contender in 2016. In New York City, Democrat Bill… Read more
Jan. 21: On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President Obama is sworn in for a second term. He becomes th
Jan. 21: On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President Obama is sworn in for a second term. He becomes the first president to say the word gay in an Inaugural Address when he compares the battle for same-sex marriage to past battles over gender and racial equality.
Jan. 1: The Senate approve a last minute deal to raise tax rates from 35 to 39.9 percent for those e
Jan. 1: The Senate approve a last minute deal to raise tax rates from 35 to 39.9 percent for those earning more than $400,000. The deal also temporarily suspends across-the-board spending cuts. Later that night, the House also passes the legislation. The House vote ends the long dramatic showdown over the fiscal cliff with only a few hours left of… Read more
Nov. 3: More than 13 years since the twin towers were destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001, One World Trade C
Nov. 3: More than 13 years since the twin towers were destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001, One World Trade Center opens for tenants in lower Manhattan. The new building is 1,776 feet high. Magazine publisher Condé Nast becomes the first tenant, occupying one third of the 104-story building.
Feb. 12: In the first State of the Union Address of his second term, President Obama focuses on the role government should play in growing the economy and stabilizing the middle class. He veers away from any ambitious proposals such as a new stimulus plan in the speech.
June 12: Ron Barber, one of the top aides of Gabrielle Giffords, wins a special election to replace her in Congress. Also wounded in the 2011 shooting, Barber defeats Republican rival Jesse Kelly.
May 9: During an interview at the White House with Robin Roberts, President Obama declares his suppo
May 9: During an interview at the White House with Robin Roberts, President Obama declares his support for gay marriage for the first time. Regarding the issue, he says, "For me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married." With the declaration, Obama becomes the first U.S.… Read more
May 8: North Carolina passes an amendment to ban gay marriage by a margin of more than twenty percen
May 8: North Carolina passes an amendment to ban gay marriage by a margin of more than twenty percent. By doing so, North Carolina becomes the 30th state in the U.S. to include an anti-gay marriage amendment in its constitution.
April 10: Rick Santorum announces his decision to end his campaign for the Republican nomination. Hi
April 10: Rick Santorum announces his decision to end his campaign for the Republican nomination. His decision comes after taking Easter weekend off from the campaign and after his youngest daughter, who suffers from a chromosomal disorder, was hospitalized again.
Aug. 28: Due to Hurricane Isaac, major events at the Republican National Convention begin a day late
Aug. 28: Due to Hurricane Isaac, major events at the Republican National Convention begin a day late. Held in Tampa, Florida, convention highlights include a keynote speech from Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey and a personal address from Ann Romney who assured female voters that they can trust her husband.
June 5: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker easily wins a recall election against his 2010 opponent, Tom Barrett. Receiving 53 percent of the vote, Walker becomes the first governor in U.S. history to win a recall election. The win is a huge loss for Democrats and labor unions. Walker has been in the national spotlight for his ongoing battle with unions… Read more
Feb. 10: President Obama announces a change to a recent rule requiring all health insurance plans, i
Feb. 10: President Obama announces a change to a recent rule requiring all health insurance plans, including those offered by Roman Catholic institutions, provide birth control coverage to female employees. The revision will require that insurance companies, not religious institutions, offer free contraceptive coverage.
Oct. 3: President Obama and Mitt Romney square off in the first debate. Romney and Obama come out ag
Oct. 3: President Obama and Mitt Romney square off in the first debate. Romney and Obama come out aggressive on issues such as the tax policy, budget deficit, and the role of government. Romney has an energetic performance that provides a much needed boost to his campaign.
Sept. 5: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton gives a rousing speech which brings the audience at the Democratic National Convention to its feet as he officially nominates Barack Obama as the 2012 Democratic candidate for president. Like the Republican National Convention, the DNC has to work around bad weather. The convention, held in Charlotte,… Read more
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