1990s Flashcards
Douglas Wilder
First African-American governor, elected in 1990.
Marion Barry
Mayor of D.C., investigated by the FBI in 1990 after they uncovered a video of him smoking crack cocaine.
Moscow McDonald’s
In 1990 a McDonald’s was opened in Moscow, signaling the beginning of the end for communism.
Smoking bans
Beginning in 1990, smoking bans began going into effect, making it illegal to smoke on flights, in restaurants, bars, and eventually, hotels.
TV Martí
A Spanish language TV station which began broadcasting to Cuba in 1990.
“The Perfect Moment”
Robert Mapplethorpe’s 1990 homoerotic art show that was protested by Citizens for Community Values.
1990 Chemical Weapons Accord
Signed by Bush, Sr. and Gorbachev in D.C., both countries agreed to end chemical weapon production and begin destroying their respective stocks.
Read my lips: no new taxes
A phrase spoken by Pres. Bush, Sr. at the 1988 Republican National Convention. Unfortunately, it would hurt him in re-election, as he signed necessary tax increases in 1990 to prevent inflation.
Early 1990s recession
Pres. Bush, Sr.’s presidency was hurt by this economic event. It also encouraged people to shop at discount stores, as a result, KMart and Wal-Mart became the nation’s most profitable retailers.
David Durenberger
A U.S. senator denounced in 1990 for unethical economic activities.
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Sign by Pres. Bush, Sr: it is a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability.
Barney Frank
Most prominent gay politician in the U.S., in 1990 he was rebuked by the U.S. Legislative branch for engaging in sex with a male prostitute.
Floyd H. Flake
U.S. representative indicted in 1990 on numerous economic violations.
Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany
An international treaty signed in 1990 paving the way for German reunification.
New Revised Standard Version
A version of the bible released in the U.S. in 1990 that contained changed with regards to gendered language.
Michael Dugan
The Air Force Chief of Staff fired by Defense Secretary Dick Cheney in 1990 in the days leading up to the Gulf War, after Dugan blabbed to reporters about plans to assassinate Saddam Hussein.
Clean Air Act
Passed in 1990, to prevent toxic rain. The Clean Air Act was the first major environmental law in the United States to include a provision for citizen suits.
Lisa Olson
She is an American sportswriter. In 1990, Olson claimed that she had been sexually harassed by New England Patriots football players in the team’s locker room. Olson sued the team, and the players involved were punished.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 678
A 1990 UN Resolution threatening military intervention in Iraq if they did not leave Kuwait.
John Gotti
When this crime boss was arrested in 1990, it signaled the end of traditional mafia rule.
McDonnell Douglas A-12 Avenger II
A proposed attack aircraft cancelled by Secretary of Defense Cheney in 1991 after learning it would cost $57 billion.
Tariq Aziz
Iraq’s Foreign Minister during the Gulf War, he claimed America’s motives were “oil and Israel.”
Aileen Wuornos
A female serial killer and prostitute sentenced to death in 1991.
Operation Desert Storm
The combat part of the Gulf War which occurred in 1990- a coalition of nations lead by the U.S.. The war was marked by the introduction of live news broadcasts from the front lines of the battle, principally by the U.S. network CNN. Early 1990s recession ended during this time.
Scud
Missiles used successfully by Iraq against the U.S. during Operation Desert Storm.
Rodney King
An American construction worker who rose to notoriety in 1991 after a video surfaced of five officers surrounding King, several of them striking him repeatedly, while other officers stood by.
Mount Pleasant riot
A 1991 riot sparked by the shooting of a Salvadoran man.
Jeffrey Dahmer
A gay serial killer arrested in 1991.
START I
The largest and most complex arms control treaty in history, and its final implementation in late 2001 resulted in the removal of about 80 percent of all strategic nuclear weapons then in existence. It was drafted by Pres. Reagan and signed by Pres. Bush in 1991.
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania
The independence of these three countries was recognized by the U.S. in 1991.
Tailhook scandal
U.S. military officers in 1991 sexually assaulted at least 83 women and 7 men at a Las Vegas event. Military critics claimed that the scandal highlighted a hostile attitude in US military culture towards women.
Gary Mandich
U.S. military lieutenant, in response to the Tailhook scandal, he said “Everyone needs to seriously lighten up. What do they expect? This is Vegas baby! They call this symposium ‘Tail’ hook for a reason!” Prompting protests from numerous women’s groups.
Clarence Thomas Supreme Court nomination
Thomas was controversially nominated in 1991 by Pres. Bush to succeed Thurgood Marshall. Colleague Anita Hill accused Thomas of sexual harassment. His sexual harassment hearings were conducted by an all-male senate panel and he was eventually confirmed, leading many women to be upset.
David Duke
A far-right White nationalist who ran for Governor of Louisiana in 1991 and lost, despite receiving an overwhelming majority of the white vote.
Resignation of Mikhail Gorbachev
In December 1991, Gorbachev resigned, the USSR collapsed, and the Cold War ended.
1992 Los Angeles riots
Widespread looting and racial violence was on display in these riots which occurred as a result of the acquittal of the officers who beat Rodney King and required federal intervention.
The 27th Amendment
Ratified in 1992, it prohibits any law that increases or decreases the salary of members of Congress from taking effect until the start of the next set of terms of office for Representatives.
Murphy Brown Speech
A 1992 speech by Vice President Dan Quayle in which he bashed single mothers and the Los Angeles riotters.
Potatoe
In 1992 Dan Quayle spelled potato wrong at a child’s spelling bee.
Ruby Ridge
A deadly confrontation in 1992 between the FBI and Randy Weaver. It contributed to the growth of the militia movement.
Yoshihiro Hattori
A 16-year old Japanese citizen who was shot in Louisiana after knocking on the wrong door. His killer was acquitted sparking controversy.
