A Year in Review: 1993
The year 1993 was a year of change. The events that occurred in this year were new and different. People were accepting new ideas and growing past what was once thought to be their fullest potential. America was changing and everyone could feel and notice the transformation. Americans were proving themselves to be flexible and resilient. People were sharing their patriotic spirit. It was a year of triumph and tragedy, but through it all Americans came out stronger and flourished. The year, 1993, embodied the spirit of change with events like the inauguration of President Bill Clinton, the scare over the North American Free Trade Agreement, the first time a woman was the attorney general, the first explosion at the World Trade Center, and the growing popularity of the internet.
On Wednesday, January 21, 1993, the former president, William Jefferson Clinton was inaugurated forty-second president of the United States of America. More commonly known as Bill Clinton, the 46-year-old made a short inaugural address that focused on “an end to the era of deadlock and drift and a new season of American renewal.” Clinton’s presidency was a shift in the political party. His predecessor, former President Bush, was a republican and Clinton was a democrat. Clinton was so set on changing America that in his first few days in office he signed executive orders to improve the “ethical standards” of the executive officials. He also overturned restrictions on abortions, which was very controversial. One campaign promise that Clinton did not keep was the promise to have a plan for a healthcare reform and the economic package within his first 100 days in office. The poor state of the economy presented issues that took longer than expected to clear up and this deadline could not be met. Eventually, however the president was able to improve the economy and the national deficit. As president, the first bill that President Clinton signed was the family leave bill which allowed twelve weeks of unpaid absence from work in the event of a crises or family needs. This was one of the plans that had not been passed under the previous Republican government; so many Democrats were very pleased with the signing of this bill (Famighetti ,36).
On February 26 of 1993, the first explosion at the World Trade Center in New York City took place. A truck bomb was set off in the basement of the North Tower. The intention of this bomb was to knock down both towers and kill everyone inside, but this did not occur. Instead, however, six people were killed and many more were injured. The American people were shocked and scared. This was an attack on one of the most important cities in the US and people were upset. In March, five men were arrested in Jersey City, New Jersey regarding the incident. The five suspects had either been seen purchasing or housing supplies to make a bomb or renting the van in which the bomb was transported (Famighetti, 49).
During the year of 1993, there was a lot of talk and scare about the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. NAFTA is an agreement between the leaders of Canada, Mexico, and the United States that lifted barriers among the countries that signed it. Even before NAFTA, the three countries traded freely with each other. Since labor in Mexico was very cheap, people in the United States with jobs in manufacturing feared that they would lose their jobs to outsourcing. Since 1993 was the period between the signing of NAFTA and the time it took affect, Americans faced uncertainty about the agreement and were scared about its possible effects on the labor force in the United States (Nash, 222).
In March of 1993, Janet Reno was the first woman to become the attorney general of the United States of America. Janet Reno was nominated for this position the month before by President Bill Clinton. The former Florida attorney was approved by the committee on March 11, 1993 after voicing her strict distaste for the death penalty and promising to be tough on violence and drugs. On March 12, 1993, Janet Reno, known as Clinton's "top cop", took the oath of office. After taking office, Reno told reporters that she intended to make it illegal to obstruct business at an abortion clinic through violent protests. Controversial stances on issues like this made Reno famous for her opinions. Reno gained public respect in April of 1993 when she publicly took responsibility for the horrible incident that took place involving the Branch Davidands, where over eighty people were killed in a standoff with police. The success of Janet Reno was an important step for women in politics, showing that not all politicians had to be men, and that women and men were truly becoming equals (Commire).
The growing popularity of the Internet definitely fit in with the spirit of change in 1993. Until that point, the Internet was unknown and mysterious. The Internet was so different from any invention that anyone had ever used before. As it grew in popularity, people became more and more aware of its potential to create a whole new way of living. People started becoming aware of what it could do and how it could improve life. The Internet also allowed people to camouflage who they were and hide behind the screens of their computers. When people are on the Internet, they can be whomever they want instead of who they really are. Many people even started buying computers for their homes (Araya).
The fashion world in 1993 was changing, too. For the first time since the 1970’s, fashion designers like Todd Oldham were creating looks that included patchwork. Calvin Klein brought out Amish-inspired looks that focused on simplicity. Jewelry made of silver and stones inspired by Native American pieces started becoming popular in accessories. In the fall, a new trend in coats emerged, as well. Instead of the long coats that were worn in the past several seasons, pea coats were the new style. Chanel, Versace, Guess, and Calvin Klein all brought out pea coats with their own unique eccentricities to them. Donna Karan, famous designer of DKNY for women, brought out a line for men, also called DKNY. Overall, new looks and styles were ruling the runways and the streets where people were dressing differently than they had in the past several years (Baughman).
The year, 1993 totally embodied the spirit of change. Women were becoming more prominent in politics. The office of the President of the United States was filled by a Democrat, President Bill Clinton, when it had previously been filled by a Republican. Laws and policies were changing quickly. The United States of America experienced a terroristic attack on one of its most important business centers. The Internet was rapidly gaining popularity. The North American Free Trade Agreement scared Americans that a change in the labor force for manufacturing would take place. Americans faced joy, happiness, fear, uncertainty, pride, and change. Through all of the turmoil and triumphs of the year 1993, Americans proved themselves to be flexible, loyal, patriotic, and resilient.
Works Cited
Araya, Agustin A. "Internet." Encyclopedia of Science, Technology, and Ethics. Vol. 2. Detriot: Macmillan Reference, 2005. 1048-052. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 5 Sept. 2010.
Baughman, Judith S., ed. "Important Events of the 1900s." American Decades. Vol. 10. Detroit, 2001. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
Commire, Anne, ed. "Reno, Janet (1938—)." Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia. Vol. 13. Detroit: Yorkin Publications, 2002. 213-17. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 07 Sept. 2010.
Famighetti, Robert, ed. The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 1994. New Jersey: World Almanac, 1994. Print.
Nash, Gary B., and Donald T. Critchlow, eds. Encyclopedia of American History. Vol. 10. New York: Facts on File, 2003. Print.
On Wednesday, January 21, 1993, the former president, William Jefferson Clinton was inaugurated forty-second president of the United States of America. More commonly known as Bill Clinton, the 46-year-old made a short inaugural address that focused on “an end to the era of deadlock and drift and a new season of American renewal.” Clinton’s presidency was a shift in the political party. His predecessor, former President Bush, was a republican and Clinton was a democrat. Clinton was so set on changing America that in his first few days in office he signed executive orders to improve the “ethical standards” of the executive officials. He also overturned restrictions on abortions, which was very controversial. One campaign promise that Clinton did not keep was the promise to have a plan for a healthcare reform and the economic package within his first 100 days in office. The poor state of the economy presented issues that took longer than expected to clear up and this deadline could not be met. Eventually, however the president was able to improve the economy and the national deficit. As president, the first bill that President Clinton signed was the family leave bill which allowed twelve weeks of unpaid absence from work in the event of a crises or family needs. This was one of the plans that had not been passed under the previous Republican government; so many Democrats were very pleased with the signing of this bill (Famighetti ,36).
On February 26 of 1993, the first explosion at the World Trade Center in New York City took place. A truck bomb was set off in the basement of the North Tower. The intention of this bomb was to knock down both towers and kill everyone inside, but this did not occur. Instead, however, six people were killed and many more were injured. The American people were shocked and scared. This was an attack on one of the most important cities in the US and people were upset. In March, five men were arrested in Jersey City, New Jersey regarding the incident. The five suspects had either been seen purchasing or housing supplies to make a bomb or renting the van in which the bomb was transported (Famighetti, 49).
During the year of 1993, there was a lot of talk and scare about the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. NAFTA is an agreement between the leaders of Canada, Mexico, and the United States that lifted barriers among the countries that signed it. Even before NAFTA, the three countries traded freely with each other. Since labor in Mexico was very cheap, people in the United States with jobs in manufacturing feared that they would lose their jobs to outsourcing. Since 1993 was the period between the signing of NAFTA and the time it took affect, Americans faced uncertainty about the agreement and were scared about its possible effects on the labor force in the United States (Nash, 222).
In March of 1993, Janet Reno was the first woman to become the attorney general of the United States of America. Janet Reno was nominated for this position the month before by President Bill Clinton. The former Florida attorney was approved by the committee on March 11, 1993 after voicing her strict distaste for the death penalty and promising to be tough on violence and drugs. On March 12, 1993, Janet Reno, known as Clinton's "top cop", took the oath of office. After taking office, Reno told reporters that she intended to make it illegal to obstruct business at an abortion clinic through violent protests. Controversial stances on issues like this made Reno famous for her opinions. Reno gained public respect in April of 1993 when she publicly took responsibility for the horrible incident that took place involving the Branch Davidands, where over eighty people were killed in a standoff with police. The success of Janet Reno was an important step for women in politics, showing that not all politicians had to be men, and that women and men were truly becoming equals (Commire).
The growing popularity of the Internet definitely fit in with the spirit of change in 1993. Until that point, the Internet was unknown and mysterious. The Internet was so different from any invention that anyone had ever used before. As it grew in popularity, people became more and more aware of its potential to create a whole new way of living. People started becoming aware of what it could do and how it could improve life. The Internet also allowed people to camouflage who they were and hide behind the screens of their computers. When people are on the Internet, they can be whomever they want instead of who they really are. Many people even started buying computers for their homes (Araya).
The fashion world in 1993 was changing, too. For the first time since the 1970’s, fashion designers like Todd Oldham were creating looks that included patchwork. Calvin Klein brought out Amish-inspired looks that focused on simplicity. Jewelry made of silver and stones inspired by Native American pieces started becoming popular in accessories. In the fall, a new trend in coats emerged, as well. Instead of the long coats that were worn in the past several seasons, pea coats were the new style. Chanel, Versace, Guess, and Calvin Klein all brought out pea coats with their own unique eccentricities to them. Donna Karan, famous designer of DKNY for women, brought out a line for men, also called DKNY. Overall, new looks and styles were ruling the runways and the streets where people were dressing differently than they had in the past several years (Baughman).
The year, 1993 totally embodied the spirit of change. Women were becoming more prominent in politics. The office of the President of the United States was filled by a Democrat, President Bill Clinton, when it had previously been filled by a Republican. Laws and policies were changing quickly. The United States of America experienced a terroristic attack on one of its most important business centers. The Internet was rapidly gaining popularity. The North American Free Trade Agreement scared Americans that a change in the labor force for manufacturing would take place. Americans faced joy, happiness, fear, uncertainty, pride, and change. Through all of the turmoil and triumphs of the year 1993, Americans proved themselves to be flexible, loyal, patriotic, and resilient.
Works Cited
Araya, Agustin A. "Internet." Encyclopedia of Science, Technology, and Ethics. Vol. 2. Detriot: Macmillan Reference, 2005. 1048-052. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 5 Sept. 2010.
Baughman, Judith S., ed. "Important Events of the 1900s." American Decades. Vol. 10. Detroit, 2001. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 1 Sept. 2010.
Commire, Anne, ed. "Reno, Janet (1938—)." Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia. Vol. 13. Detroit: Yorkin Publications, 2002. 213-17. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 07 Sept. 2010.
Famighetti, Robert, ed. The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 1994. New Jersey: World Almanac, 1994. Print.
Nash, Gary B., and Donald T. Critchlow, eds. Encyclopedia of American History. Vol. 10. New York: Facts on File, 2003. Print.
