When I think back on the last decade two things come to mind: war on terror and technology. The CBS News announcement that 'Google' won top word of our nameless past decade (in front of "9/11," "green," "blog," "text," and "war on terror") spurred me to think about what really big did happen in the news over the past ten years.
Top ten stories of the decade according to Associated Content News:
- September 11th, 2001: This day changed the way Americans live forever. It impacted our economy, security and the way we travel. It was the beginning of the 'war on terror' we're still fighting today. Also, I'm almost sure this day was the first time I started to hear the words 'terrorism' and 'terrorist' on the news. Now, we hear it every day.
- Wars in Afghanistan & Iraq: News programs cover this on a daily basis. Many Americans have served time or given their lives in this quest. Right after 9/11 majority of Americans supported going into these wars, but as time has gone on support has dropped. This war is different than any other war we've been in. The war is so far away for many of us. As in previous wars, Americans were asked to serve in the military or work in an industry on behalf of the war. Now, most of us just see a glimpse of it on TV. Also, 'war on terror,' is very undefined. It means that we don't really know who we're fighting against, many are just ordinary citizens, not military people.
- President Barack Obama's Election: In November of 2008, the U.S. public elected their first African-American President. It was an election of many firsts besides this and it got more coverage and interest than any other. Women took a large step in politics as well. Hillary Clinton was the Democratic Party's choice right behind Barack and Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, was chosen for Senator McCain's running mate.
- U.S. Supreme Court Decides 2000 Election for George W. Bush: Five (Conservative) Supreme Court justices terminated Florida's vote recount and gave the "appointed presidency" to Bush. They supported federal power over Florida's state rights and asserted that Bush's "equal protection" civil rights would have been violated if the recount continued. This drastically hurt the Supreme Court's creditability.
- Globalization and Near Depression: The economy has been down most of this decade. The news is reporting high unemployment rates all the time, interest rates from banks are down and therefore so is spending. The big manufacturing cities in the U.S. along with the small towns have all been suffering. At the same time, globalization is increasing. Companies are working internationally more and more. You're behind if you aren't! Lastly, the 'green environmental movement' has begun in the last decade. People and corporations are making more moves to downsize pollution after scientists worldwide stated global warming would place the planet at risk if we don't cut down on our carbon emissions.
- "Googleization": It's hard to believe, but most of us didn't even know what Google was ten years ago. Social media sites such as: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have all started up in the last decade. Since, majority of news outlets and corporations use the Internet and social networking sites to communicate with their public. Computers and the Internet are all just becoming a way of life for us and the older generations are feeling a left out because most of them still do not have even a clue how to use one!
- National Health care/insurance reform: This discussion will continue into the next decade. Health Care's been on the rise and has left many Americans without insurance. Recently, more compromise since the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.
- Health care research: In 2003, scientists mapped out the human genome. Researchers have continued to make progress in finding genetic variations that could unlock huge doors toward treating diseases. Stem-cell research has continued to emerge as a related issue.
- Hurricane Katrina: This devastating hurricane that hit in late August 2005 hit New Orleans and a lot of the Gulf Coast. This are still not fixed up completely today. Media was criticized for portraying an unequal society.
- Y-2-K: Remember this?! Forecasters talked about this for weeks before the new year and predicted that once the clocked ticked over to the new millennium, everything would be thrown off. It caused so much buzz that people stocked up on food and water because they were afraid of what would happen. Well, nothing happen!
Top Stories of 2009 according to The Associated Press:
- THE ECONOMY
- OBAMA INAUGURATION
- HEALTH CARE:
- AUTO INDUSTRY
- SWINE FLU
- AFGHANISTAN
- MICHAEL JACKSON DIES
- FORT HOOD RAMPAGE
- EDWARD KENNEDY DIES
- MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON
The Associated Press stated that their research began before the Tiger Wood's scandal enveloped.
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