2000s

Question 1

USS Cole bombing

Answer 1

A 2000 suicide bombing on a US ship which strengthened Pres. Bush’s resolve against Al-Qaeda.

Question 2

9/11

Answer 2

A series of four airplane attacks against the United States led by al-Qaeda which led to the US launching the War on Terror, and invading Afghanistan to break up the Taliban, which was believed to be harboring al-Qaeda.

Question 3

2001 anthrax attacks

Answer 3

Anthrax mailings to members of the media and two senators which increased fear and anti-terrorism paranoia in the weeks following 9/11.

Question 4

Richard Reid

Answer 4

AKA the Shoe Bomber, his 2001 attempted terrorist attack contributed to a culture of fear and changed airplane policy.

Question 5

Enron scandal

Answer 5

A 2001 scandal which resulted in the bankruptcy of Enron and public discontent against white collar industry.

Question 6

United States Department of Homeland Security

Answer 6

Created in 2002 by Pres. Bush as an office which works to prevent domestic terrorism.

Question 7

YouTube

Answer 7

A website founded in 2005 that became wildly popular.

Question 8

The Great Recession

Answer 8

A global economic downturn which is commonly said to have begun in 2008.

Question 9

Maersk Alabama

Answer 9

A ship hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009, Pres. Obama authorized a successful sniper operation freeing her captain.

Question 10

Swine flu

Answer 10

A 2009 pandemic that affected 19% of Americans and resulted in 12,000 deaths.

Question 11

Death of Michael Jackson

Answer 11

Jackson’s 2009 death triggered a ridiculous public outpour of grief for months on end.