Homeland Timeline Project

Aurora Century 16 Shooting

Homeland Security Act of 2002

Pearl Harbor Attack

Patriot Act

Sandy Hook Shooting

Columbine Shooting

Utah Bald Mountain Fire

"The Arab Spring"

OPM Security Breach

APR. 20, 1999 17 and 18 year-old Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris killed 12 students and one teacher. Prior to the school shooting, the boys made a video detailing their plans, including ideas to bomb the pillars holding up the library over the cafeteria. IMPACT: Brought school safety to national spotlight and caused bans of backpacks and reuiquirement to carry IDs and upped police security at the schools.

OCT. 26, 2001: This Act came post 9/11 and was meant to deter and punish terrorist acts in the US and around the world. IMPACT: This Act changed Homeland Security by using new measures to prevent, detect and prosecute international money laundering and financing terrorism, including obtaining info and phone records on possible terrorist suspects as well as wiretaps as long as you have approval

NOV. 25, 2002: This Act initiated the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and organized various agencies under one branch. Came after the events of 9/11. Responsibilities ranging from infrastructure protection and chemical, biological, radio-logical, nuclear, and border and transportation security, emergency preparedness and response. IMPACT: This is the basis for Homeland Security and provides a mandate for prevention against natural and man-made disasters.

9/11

SEPT. 11, 2001: 19 militants hijacked several airplanes with the intention of crashing it into key destinations. Two planes crashed into the side of both twin towers and caused destruction and chaos, eventually leading to war on terrorism. IMPACT: This is the key event that sparked the foundation of the Department of Homeland Security.

JUL. 20, 2012: A man dressed up in tactical gear strolled into Aurora Century 16 Cinema and let out teargas, immediately opening fire on the spectators watching a movie screening of Dark Knight Rises. Left 12 dead and 50 wounded. IMPACT: Changed emergency first responders all throughout the nation, changes in procedures. Beefed up SWAT teams, improvements of radio communication equipment connecting emergency responders.

DEC. 14, 2012: Adam Lanza, 20, opened fire after killing his own mother at Sandy Hook Elementary school, killing 20 kids and 6 adults, most of the kids were between the ages of 6-7. Using an AR-15 that his mother bought, he then proceeded to take his own life. IMPACT: Prompted attention to school safety and increased security at schools, pushed pressure into agencies to implement higher safety. Lock downs, open lines to emergency communications as well as training were highly stressed.

JUL. 9, 2015: An unknown malware was detected on multiple computers including the jumpbox, an administrative server that is used to log in all the other servers. Later on, the Chinese hacker group who was responsible, stole millions of personnel data and other important information, including the building' blueprint. IMPACT: Caused great distrust with the government but forced DHS and FBI to upgrade their cyber security. Multi-factor authentication set into protocol, higher security. And

SEPT. 21, 2018: Caused Utah County to issue a widespread evacuation in order to keep the people and animals safe. FEMA declared fire management assistance to contain the wildfire. Started by lightning strikes, the fire has taken more than 60,000 acres of land. IMPACT: Required aid to protect the civilians affected by the fire. Homeland Security was involved with calling the warning protocols and evacuations; allowed the program to acquire skills in protecting people from natural disaster

DEC. 7, 1941: World War 2 has been raging for 2 years, the US has been neutral until on December 7th 1941 Japan attacks Pearl Harbor killing over 3000 and injuring many more. IMPACT: This was the event that launched the US into World War 2 as well as change the way we protect the homeland and how we incorporate defense into our nation's military strategies.

DEC. 8, 2010: When Mohamed Bouazizi tried to sell fruits from his wooden stand, he was reprieved of his license and slapped by a policewoman. Humiliated and angered, he set himself on fire in front of the government building, sparking waves of protests. IMPACT: Political and social influences. These protests presented challenges for international engagement in the Middle East region. Social media was used to promote the Arab Spring, creating a vulnerability for a possible cyber attack.