Decades Project By Michelle Burke

The Decade in Review

The Decade of Contradictions I named the first 10 years of the 21 st Century the ‘Decade of Contractions’ because this decade showed humanity at its best and its worst. The decade was one of consumption, and also starvation, unity and division, and tolerance and ignorance. It is a decade so perplexing that we have yet to find a name to explain it.

Top 10 Events of the ‘Decade of Contradictions’

10 Conflict in Darfur

What is the Conflict in Darfur? Civil War Acts of Genocide Thousands Dead

Where is the Conflict in Darfur? Darfur located in western region of Sudan Sudan located in northeastern Africa

Conflict in Darfur: An In-Depth Look Conflict begins in 2003 Conflict between ‘Black African Muslims’ and ‘Black Arab Muslims’ Fighting for control of Darfur

Conflict in Darfur: An Impact on the Future Large potential that conflict will spread further Impact on American- Chinese relations Demonstrates how the US will deal with acts of genocide in the future

9 Debut of the Euro

2002-The official currency of the European Union Currency used in 16 of the 27 European Union countries 2008-The Euro is valued higher than the American dollar

8 Hurricane Katrina

August 29, 2005 Category 5 Hurricane hits the Gulf Coast, specifically the Mississippi, Florida, and Louisiana coastline, including New Orleans Death toll-1,836

7 Global Warming and Energy Crisis

2000-present Energy Crisis causes gasoline prices to soar and impacts economy Rising water levels threatens poles, and cities at sea level Thousands of animals habitat are threatened

6 Rise of Social Networking

2002-Debut of MySpace 2004-Debut of Facebook 2005-Debut of YouTube Social Networking becomes adominant communication resource

5 Economic Crisis of 2008

September 2008-present Housing bubble bursts and thousands of homes are foreclosed Government bail out of major banks and investment agencies Stimulus Package created by Bush and Obama to aid failing institutions

4 Election of 2000: Election of George W. Bush

2000 Election: Election of George W. Bush Election takes place on November 7, 2000 Al Gore is declared winner and then retracted December 29, Supreme Court declares George W. Bush winner of election

3 Election of Barack Obama

Elected November, 2008 First African American elected into Presidential office

2 Invasion of Iraq

March 19, 2003 United States invades Iraq to ‘disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction’ 4,000 American soldiers killed Over 100,000 Iraqis killed

1 September 11, 2001

September 11-al-Qeda hijack planes and attack the World Trade Center in NYC and the Pentagon building in Washington DC 2,9995 Americans die

September 11, 2001

Top 10 Events of the ‘Decade of Contradictions’ 10. Conflict in Darfur 9.Debut of the Euro 8.Hurricane Katrina 7.Global Warming and Energy Crisis 6.Rise of Social Networking 5.Economic Crisis of Election of 2000: Election of George W. Bush 3.Election of Barack Obama 2.Invasion of Iraq 1.September 11, 2001