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![CNN 40 CNN 40](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_CNN40_Logo.png)
![1980](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1980.png)
- Ted Turner launches CNN
![Ted Turner launches CNN Ted Turner launches CNN](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1980_Turner.jpg)
Ted Turner launches CNN
![1981](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1981.png)
- Iran hostage crisis ends
- CNN first to report Reagan shot
- Lady Diana wed Prince Charles
- Sandra Day O’Connor first female Supreme Court Justice
![Lady Diana wed Price Charles Lady Diana wed Price Charles](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1981_Diana.jpg)
Lady Diana wed Prince Charles
![1982](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1982.png)
- CNN2 launches, today’s HLN
![CNN2 launches, today’s HLN CNN2 launches, today’s HLN](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1982_CNN2.jpg)
CNN2 launches, today’s HLN
![1983](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1983.png)
- Sally Ride first American woman in space
- Terror attack on Beirut US Marine barracks
![Sally Ride first American woman in space Sally Ride first American woman in space](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1983_Sally.jpg)
Sally Ride first American woman in space
![1984](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1984.png)
- Soviet Union boycotts Los Angeles Olympics
![Sally Ride first American woman in space Sally Ride first American woman in space](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/blank_image.jpg)
![1985](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1985.png)
- CNN live coverage of TWA 847 hijacking
- Live Aid event raises funds for famine relief
- CNN begins 24-hour transmission to Europe
![Live Aid event raises funds for famine relief Live Aid event raises funds for famine relief](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1985_Aid.jpg)
Live Aid event raises funds for famine relief
![1986](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1986.png)
- CNN Exclusive – Shuttle Challenger live coverage
- Chernobyl nuclear disaster
CNN Exclusive – Shuttle Challenger live coverage
![1987](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1987.png)
- Live continuous coverage of Iran-Contra hearings
- Rescue of “baby Jessica” from Texas well
- Dow drops 22% on Black Monday
Rescue of “baby Jessica” from Texas well
![1988](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1988.png)
- Bomb destroys Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland
![Bomb destroys Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland Bomb destroys Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1988_bomb.jpg)
Bomb destroys Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland
![1989](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1989.png)
- CNN Live: Student Uprising at Tiananmen Square, China
- Exxon Valdez oil spill off Alaskan coast
- Massive San Francisco earthquake
- Fall of Berlin Wall
- Longest running sitcom in US history The Simpsons first airs
CNN Live: Student Uprising at Tiananmen Square, China
![1990](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1990.png)
- Iraq invades Kuwait
- Nelson Mandela released from South African Prison
![Nelson Mandela released from South African Prison Nelson Mandela released from South African Prison](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1990_NelsonV2.jpg)
Nelson Mandela released from South African Prison
![1991](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1991.png)
- CNN live from Baghdad – largest audience for non-sporting event in TV history
- CNN live exclusive coverage of Soviet coup attempt
CNN live from Baghdad – largest audience for non-sporting event in TV history
![1992](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1992.png)
- US and Russia declare formal end to Cold War
- Rodney King trial verdict sparks Los Angeles riots
- Hurricane Andrew devastates south Florida
![Sally Ride first American woman in space Sally Ride first American woman in space](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/blank_image.jpg)
![1993](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1993.png)
- World Trade Center Bombing
- Record ratings for CNN’s Larry King Live NAFTA Debate
- Branch Davidian standoff ends in 76 dead
- Oslo Accords signed by Israelis and Palestinians
- European Union formally goes into effect
![CNN’s Larry King Live NAFTA Debate CNN’s Larry King Live NAFTA Debate](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1993_LarryKing.jpg)
CNN’s Larry King Live NAFTA Debate
![1994](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1994.png)
- Live coverage of OJ Simpson Bronco chase
- Rwandan genocide
![Live coverage of OJ Simpson Bronco chase Live coverage of OJ Simpson Bronco chase](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1994_Simpson.jpg)
Live coverage of OJ Simpson Bronco chase
![1995](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1995.png)
- 168 killed in bombing of Oklahoma City Federal Building
- Gavel–to-gavel coverage of OJ Simpson trial
- CNN.com launches
![Bombing of Oklahoma City Federal Building Bombing of Oklahoma City Federal Building](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1995_Oklahoma.jpg)
Bombing of Oklahoma City Federal Building
![1996](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1996.png)
- Atlanta Olympic Park bombing
- The death of Tupac Shakur
![Atlanta Olympic Park bombing Atlanta Olympic Park bombing](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1996_Olympic.jpg)
Atlanta Olympic Park bombing
![1997](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1997.png)
- The death of Biggie Smalls
- CNN interviews little-known terrorist Osama Bin Laden
- CNN en Español debuts
- Britain hands Hong Kong to China
- The death of Princess Diana
![The death of Princess Diana The death of Princess Diana](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1997_Diana.jpg)
The death of Princess Diana
![1998](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1998.png)
- The Pope Visits Cuba
- McGwire-Sosa home run chas
- President Bill Clinton impeached by the House of Representatives
![The Pope Visits Cuba The Pope Visits Cuba](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1998_Pope.jpg)
The Pope Visits Cuba
![1999](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1999.png)
- NATO air strikes in Kosovo conflict
- Columbine High School Shooting
![Columbine High School Shooting Columbine High School Shooting](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_1999_Columbine.jpg)
Columbine High School Shooting
![2000](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2000.png)
- AOL/Time Warner merger
- USS Cole was attacked by suicide bombers, while in port in Aden, Yemen, for refueling
- First resident crew boards International Space Station
- Florida Presidential Election recount
![AOL/Time Warner merger AOL/Time Warner merger](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2000_Merger.jpg)
AOL/Time Warner merger
![2001](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2001.png)
- September 11th World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks
![September 11th World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks September 11th World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2001_Sept11.jpg)
September 11th World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks
![2002](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2002.png)
- Terror attack in Bali, Indonesia kills 202
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![2003](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2003.png)
- WHO says that SARS is now “a worldwide health threat”
- Second Gulf War in Iraq begins
- CNN breaks story of Shuttle Columbia disaster
- CNN first to broadcast capture of Saddam Hussein
![CNN first to broadcast capture of Saddam Hussein CNN first to broadcast capture of Saddam Hussein](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2003_Saddam.jpg)
CNN first to broadcast capture of Saddam Hussein
![2004](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2004.png)
- South Asia earthquake and tsunami kills nearly 200,000
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![2005](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2005.png)
- Hurricane Katrina hits Gulf Coast region
![Hurricane Katrina hits Gulf Coast region Hurricane Katrina hits Gulf Coast region](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2005_Katrina.jpg)
Hurricane Katrina hits Gulf Coast region
![2006](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2006.png)
- Mumbai Train bombings kill 209
- The U.S. population officially passes 300 million
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![2007](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2007.png)
- Nancy Pelosi is sworn in as the first female speaker of the House
- 33 killed at Virginia Tech University mass shooting
- Apple launches the iPhone
![Apple launches the iPhone Apple launches the iPhone](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2007_iPhone.jpg)
Apple launches the iPhone
![2008](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2008.png)
- American swimmer Michael Phelps wins eight gold medals, an Olympic record, at the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China
- Barack Obama elected first African American President
Barack Obama elected first African American President
![2009](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2009.png)
- US Airways 1549 makes “miracle” landing on Hudson River
- The World Health Organization declares the H1N1 virus a pandemic, the first such declaration in more than 40 years
- The death of Pop icon Michael Jackson
- Sonia Sotomayor is confirmed as a justice on the Supreme Court. She is the first Hispanic justice on the Supreme Court
![The death of Pop icon Michael Jackson The death of Pop icon Michael Jackson](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2009_Jackson.jpg)
The death of Pop icon Michael Jackson
![2010](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2010.png)
- Haiti earthquake kills more than 200,000
- Oil rig explosion and spill ravages US Gulf Coast
- 33 Chilean miners rescued after 69 days
- Start of Arab Spring that spread throughout the Middle East and Africa in 2011
33 Chilean miners rescued after 69 days
![2011](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2011.png)
- US Navy Seals mission kills Osama Bin Laden
- The Occupy Wall Street movement begins in New York City. Over the next months, the protests spread across the U.S. and the world
![US Navy Seals mission kills Osama Bin Laden US Navy Seals mission kills Osama Bin Laden](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2011_Osama.jpg)
US Navy Seals mission kills Osama Bin Laden
![2012](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2012.png)
- Superstorm Sandy hits Northeast US
- Massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary
- Pope Benedict XVI announces his resignation due to age and declining health. He is the first pope to resign in almost 600 years
![Massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary Massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2012_Massacre.jpg)
Massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary
![2013](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2013.png)
- Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown airs on CNN kickstarting the CNN original series franchise
- Boston Marathon bombing
- Death President Nelson Mandela
- The Senate votes to confirm Janet Yellen as the first woman to head the Federal Reserve.
![Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown airs on CNN kickstarting the CNN original series franchise Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown airs on CNN kickstarting the CNN original series franchise](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2013_Anthony.jpg)
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown airs on CNN kickstarting the CNN original series franchise
![2014](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2014.png)
- Malaysian Airlines 370 disappears
- Chibok school girls kidnapped by Boko Haram
- Malaysian Airlines 17 shot down during Ukraine conflict
- Ebola epidemic becomes global health crisis
- Protest in Ferguson over Michael Brown murder
![Ebola epidemic becomes global health crisis Ebola epidemic becomes global health crisis](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2014_Ebola.jpg)
Ebola epidemic becomes global health crisis
![2015](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2015.png)
- Terror attacks on Charlie Hebdo newspaper office and Hypercacher supermarket in Paris
- 50th Anniversary of Selma March
- US racial unrest (Baltimore specifically after the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody)
- Supreme Court affirms same-sex marriage nationwide
- Terror attacks in Paris kill 130 people and wound 494. The attackers, armed with assault rifles and explosives, targeted six locations across the city
Supreme Court affirms same-sex marriage nationwide
![2016](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2016.png)
- President Barack Obama visits Cuba
- Prince dies
- Pulse Nightclub mass shooting
- Britain votes to leave the European Union
- Colin Kaepernick sits during the national anthem
- AT&T announces its intention to purchase Time Warner, which included HBO, Warner Bros. and the Turner cable networks
![Prince dies Prince dies](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2016_Prince.jpg)
Prince dies
![2017](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2017.png)
- Russia Probe
- Terror attack at Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England
- White supremacist rally in Charlottesville turns deadly and fuels civil unrest in the United States
- Take a Knee protests
- Hurricane Maria devastates Puerto Rico, leaving more than two thousand dead and more than 10,000 in shelters
- The Las Vegas mass shooting. The attack is the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history
- #MeToo movement
- Mass shooting at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas
- Justice Department sues to stop the AT&T/Time Warner deal on antitrust grounds
#MeToo movement
![2018](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2018.png)
- Mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida
- Actor Bill Cosby found guilty on three counts of aggravated indecent assault
- Targeted mass shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper offices in Annapolis, Maryland
- Thailand cave rescues
- Pope Francis acknowledges “with shame and repentance” the Catholic Church’s failure to act on allegations of sexual abuse
-
CNN files suit against Trump Administration when Chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta’s press credentials are revoked
![CNN Chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta CNN Chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2018_Acosta.jpg)
CNN Chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta
![2019](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2019.png)
- Terror attack targeting two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch
- Fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris devastates large parts of the 850-year-old church
- Hong Kong extradition bill protests
- El Paso Walmart mass shooting
- President Donald J. Trump confirms ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi killed himself during a US military raid in Syria
- President Donald J. Trump impeached by the House of Representatives
- NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Christina Koch conduct the first all-female spacewalk outside of the International Space Station
- President Donald J. Trump meets North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Korean Demilitarized Zone, becoming the first sitting US president to enter North Korea
- The United States formally withdraws from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty
![Hong Kong extradition bill protests Hong Kong extradition bill protests](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2019_HongKong.jpg)
Hong Kong extradition bill protests
![2019](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Img_2020.png)
- The US killed Iran’s top military commander in a drone strike near Baghdad’s International Airport, ordered by President Donald J. Trump
- Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna among the nine casualties from a helicopter crash in Calabasas, CA
- The Republican-led U.S. Senate acquits President Donald J. Trump of both articles of impeachment. Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah votes to convict Trump, along with all Democrats
- The Coronavirus Pandemic
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