Because of the widespread stigma against homosexuality in the United States and worldwide, medical research was thwarted and the disease became virtually synonymous with homosexuality. It would take the death of one of America's most beloved, and seemingly straight, movie stars to prove that AIDS could affect anyone (Hiller 1985). When Rock Hudson died of the disease in 1985, Americans could see not only that homosexuality was normal and pervasive in society but also that AIDS was spreading more rapidly than was previously thought. The subsequent spread of the disease to straight communities also showed that AIDS was a disease transmitted primarily through sexual contact and blood transfusions; homosexuality had nothing to do with the illness whatsoever. Final hypothesis: The death of Rock Hudson forced Americans to rethink homosexuality and to face the AIDS epidemic squarely.

The 1990s: The First Gulf War

The decade opened with a literal bang when Iraq invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990. Saddam Hussein's name became a household term, and President George Bush took him on in the first Gulf War. The extent of America's military and economic involvement in the Middle East was already well-established ("The Gulf War"). However, the first Gulf War would exacerbate tensions in the Middle East and without a doubt set the stage for the current crisis in Iraq (Cooper 2003).

George Bush, Sr.'s face-off with Saddam Hussein failed to oust the Iraqi dictator. In spite of heavy use of armed force, the Gulf War largely failed to accomplish the goal of political stability in Iraq and the easy access to that nation's oil reserves. The first Gulf War would have an enormous impact on the future of American history especially considering...

After the two-term presidency of Bill Clinton that most characterized the 1990s, the son of George Bush, Sr. entered the White House flanked by nearly the same personnel that supported his father including Donald Rumsfeld. Final Hypothesis: The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait kick-started the first Gulf War and paved the way for the second one, which still rages on today.
Conclusion

During the next ten years, significant events will continue to change the course of American history. Social events related to increased civil rights for people of color and for women might prove to be the most important turning points in the future of American history because both women and people of color continue to experience financial and political setbacks. The declining American dollar and the rise of India and China as economic superpowers are seriously impacting life in the United States. An American Empire, which began in the early 20th century, may be coming to a close.

References

1950s

About the Case." Brown v. Board of Education. Brown Foundation for Educational Equity, Excellence and Research. Retrieved Jun 14, 2008 at http://brownvboard.org/summary/

Cozzens, L. (1995). Brown v. Board of Education. Early Civil Rights Struggles. Retrieved online Jun 14, 2008 at http://www.watson.org/~lisa/blackhistory/early-civilrights/brown.html

1960s

Garber, S. (2007). Sputnik and the Dawn of the Space Age. NASA. Retrieved Oct 10, 2007 at http://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/

The Space Race." Newseum. Retrieved Jun 14, 2008 at http://www.newseum.org/cybernewseum/exhibits/dateline_moon/space.htm

1970s

Roe v. Wade." Touro Law Center. Retrieved Jun 14, 2008 at http://www.tourolaw.edu/Patch/Roe/

Roe v. Wade: Legalizing Abortion." Retrieved Jun 14, 2008 at http://feminist.org/roevwade/roe.asp

1980s

Hiller, a. (1985). Rock Hudson dies of AIDS. CBC Radio broadcast. Retrieved online Jun 14, 2008 at http://archives.cbc.ca/health/public_health/topics/413-2388/

Kopp, B.J (2000). Homosexual behavior increases risk of AIDS. Centre Daily Times, Friday, June 2, 2000. Retrieved Jun 14, 2008 at http://www.marysremnant.org/Friends/DBK/BKHomAids.html

1990s

Cooper, T. (2003). Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait; 1990. Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf Database. Retrieved Jun 14, 2008 at http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_213.shtml

The Gulf War." (2002). PBS Frontline. Retrieved Jun 14, 2008 at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/gulf