1990s: The Decade of Transition
Jacky Dickman
Presidents and World Leaders
Bill Clinton was President from 1993 to 2000. His first years were unsuccessful. His biggest accomplishment, though, was leading the nation to a period of economic prosperity.
Saddam Hussein was the Iraq President during the 1990s. Hussein attacked Iraq's wealthy neighbor, Kuwait. He justified this by claiming land in Kuwait was part of Iraq
Bill Clinton
George H. W. Bush
Saddam Hussein
Laws and Supreme Court Decisions
Some of the most important Supreme Court decisions during the 1990s were St. Mary's Honor Center vs. Hicks and Harris vs. Forklift Systems, Inc.. The St. Mary's Honor Center vs. Hicks disputed Hicks being fired as a correctional officer. He accused the institute of racial discrimination because of this. Harris vs. Forklift Systems, Inc. involved sexual harassment disputes. This supreme court decision paved the way for a safer work environment for women.
Wars and National Defense
The Persian Gulf War began in August of 1990 and ended in February of 1991. Saddam Hussein complained to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia about how their oil productions were too powerful. Because Iraq invaded Kuwait in August, President Bush declared to invade Iraq because Kuwait was a major supplier of US oil. When air forces drove Iraqi forces into Kuwait, it became known as "Operation Desert Storm." The war ended on February 28, 1991 when President Bush called a ceasefire. Another war that occurred during part of the 1990s was the Cold War. It ended in 1992, and Soviet Union fell into power. Lastly, a threat to our national defense occurred when a bomb was set off in the parking garage of the World Trade Center. It occurred in 1993 and caused six people to die and more than one-thousand to be injured.
"A line has been drawn in the sand...Withdraw from Kuwait unconditionally and immediately, or face the terrible consequences." --George H.W. Bush.
Technology
Entertainment
Sports
Cost of Living
Lifestyle
Common hairstyles included the bowl cut for men. Women began coloring their hair and began to wear it straight. Another common hairstyle was "Rachels Haircut" based off Rachel from "Friends."
The average salary during this decade was from $21,000 to $36,000. Many people worked as manufacturers or technicians. Some jobs were in agriculture or sales occupations. Teenagers during this time occupied themselves by hunting, shopping, playing fast pitch softball, canoeing, and playing sports. They did several things we do now, it just meant more back then.