Page 65 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

HIST OR Y OF THE USA  63

Harry S. Truman (1945–
53) made the decision to
drop the atomic bombs
on Hiroshima and
Nagasaki in 1945.
William McKinley Woodrow Wilson (1913–21) John F. Kennedy (1961–63) was one of the most
(1897–1901)
led the country through popular presidents. He sent the first astronaut into
World War I and paved the space, started the Peace Corps, and created the
way for the League of Nations. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. His
assassination rocked the nation.
Richard Nixon
(1969–74) opened
up China and sent
the first men to the
moon. He resigned
after the Watergate
Franklin D. scandal.
Roosevelt (1933–
45) started the
“New Deal”, a Jimmy Carter (1977–81),
reform and relief who brokered the peace
program, during accord between Israel
the Great and Egypt, won the 2002
Depression. He Nobel Peace prize. Barack Obama (2009–17)
was elected to becomes the first African-
four terms. American president.
George Bush
(1989–93)
1900 1925 1950 1975 2000 2025
1900 1925 1950 1975 2000 2025

William H. Dwight D. Gerald Donald
Taft Eisenhower Ford Trump
(1909–13) (1953–61) (1974–77) (2017– )
Herbert Hoover
(1929–33) George W. Bush
(2001–09)
Warren Harding
(1921–23) Calvin Coolidge
(1923–29) Ronald Reagan
(1981–89), a one-
time movie actor
and popular
president, cut William J. Clinton’s
taxes, increased (1993–2001) two-term
military spending,
Lyndon B. Johnson (1963–69) presidency saw
escalated the Vietnam and reduced unprecedented
conflict, resulting in government prosperity.
widespread protests. programs.
The Role of the First Lady
In the 19th century, the First Lady acted primarily
Theodore Roosevelt as hostess and “behind-the-scenes” adviser. Dolley
(1901–9) created many Madison was known as the “Toast of Washington.”
national parks and oversaw Later, when Eleanor Roosevelt held her own press
the construction of the conferences, the role of First Lady changed greatly.
Panama Canal.
Jackie Kennedy gave unprecedented support to the
arts, Rosalynn Carter attended Cabinet meetings, Nancy
Reagan told the world to “Just Say No” to drugs, Barbara
Bush promoted literacy, and Michelle Obama launched First Lady Michelle Obama speaks at
the “Let’s Move!” campaign to combat child obesity. a campaign rally for husband Barack

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