A close presidential election went to an unprecedented recount following balloting irregularities in Florida.
Gore Concedes Protracted Election To Bush, Pledges to Support President-Elect

Planes hijacked by terrorists crashed into the World Trade Center buildings in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, killing 3,000 people in the most devastating terrorist attack on American soil. The Bush administration approved military operations in Afghanistan, whose Taliban regime had harbored Al Qaeda, the group behind the attacks.
Congress OKs Force After Sept. 11

Congress passed the No Child Left Behind Act, an exhaustive education reform bill touted by the Bush administration.
Landmark Education Bill Signed

The disastrous collapse of the Enron Corporation led Congress to enact stricter regulation of the accounting industry and attempts to combat corporate fraud.
New Rules for Corporations

Hurricane Katrina wiped out the entire city of New Orleans and several Gulf coast communities, which suffered from the slow dispersal of state and federal aid.
Congress Pays Katrina's High Price

In September 2005, Republican Congressman Tom DeLay stepped down as Speaker of the House after being indicted on conspiracy charges.
DeLay, Under Indictment in Texas, Resigns Leadership Post

President Bush signed the reauthorization of the controversial Patriot Act, which granted expanded powers to government authorities charged with combating domestic and international terrorism.
Disputes Delay Reauthorization Of Anti-Terrorism Act Provisions

The congressional elections of 2006 returned Democrats to power after 12 years in the wilderness, highlighting public discontent with progress in Iraq.
Politics & Elections Political Power Shift Dominates 2006, No Ordinary Election Year

Despite ambitious efforts by Democrats to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), President Bush stymied their efforts with two vetoes.
Democrats Unable to Overcome Bush Vetoes of Child Health Bills

After a considerable political battle, Congress passed an energy bill that included the first statutory increase in fuel efficiency standards in over thirty years and called for an increase in the use of biofuels.
Energy Overhaul Clears Congress Without Tax, Electricity Provisions

President Barack Obama became the first African American president on November 4, garnering 53 percent of the popular vote and 365 electoral votes. The Democrats scored decisive victories in both the House and Senate, nearly achieving a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate (which they would capture in 2009).
Obama Scores Decisive Victory to Be the First African-American President
No Magic Number, but More Muscle

Following the retirement of Associate Justice David Souter, President Barack Obama nominated U.S. Court of Appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Court on June 1, 2009. She was confirmed by the Senate, 68-31, on August 6, 2009
Sotomayor is Sworn in as First Hispanic Justice on High Court