Best of the decade: Top moments in U.S. history
Editorial note: The following article is not a ranking of moments in history, but a chronology of major events of the decade as determined by the author.
The Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: In 2010, the biggest oil spill in history took place in the Gulf of Mexico. Tanks dropped 210,000,000 gallons of petroleum, killing 11 and scarring the ecosystem and surrounding communities.
Super Outbreak: The 2011 Super Outbreak was a series of tornadoes that hit the South. It was the biggest natural disaster since Hurricane Katrina and devastated the land. There were 350 tornadoes, and over 320 people were killed.
Osama Bin Laden is Killed: In 2011, Seal Team Six killed Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan. He was the leader of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda who coordinated the terrorist attacks of 9/11. 4 of his other family members and close friends were also killed
Boston Marathon Bombings: The Boston Marathon Bombings occurred in 2013 at the city’s annual marathon. Two homemade bombs went off near the finish line. There were 3 deaths, and the man who set off the bombs is currently on trial.
Black Lives Matter Emerges As A Social Movement: After rising police brutality and systemic racism within the United States, Black Lives Matter became a prominent movement. It has made strides to make these issues more known, while also finding peaceful solutions to them. The movement gained speed because of the death of Trayvon Martin, and the acquittal of his killer George Zimmerman.
Same Sex Marriage is Legalized in All 50 States: In 2015, same sex marriage was legalized in all 50 states in a 5-4 Supreme Court decision. The act allowed anyone in America to get married and have the benefits of marriage despite their gender.
Donald Trump is Elected as President: In the 2016 election for the United States president, Donald Trump won. Although he lost the popular vote, he won the electoral vote, and was inaugurated the following January.
White Supremacist Rally in Charlottesville: In the summer of 2017, a white supremacist rally was held in Charlottesville, Va. Amidst the chaos, 3 died people died and over 30 people were injured. The news sparked a conversation about racism and antisemitism in the United States.
Hurricane Irma, Harvey, and Maria: In 2017, Hurricane Irma, Harvey, and Maria devastated the Americas. The natural disasters tore apart Texas, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean. There were many lives lost, though most went unreported. Harvey alone killed 88, and nearly 135,000 homes were severely damaged.
Parkland Shooting: During winter 2018, a gunman (also a previous student of the school) killed 17 students and injured 17 others at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fl. It devastated the community as well as the whole country. The incident sparked debate over gun control in the United States.
