My Top Story of the Century

United States Drops Atomic Bombs on Hiroshima, Nagasaki: Japan surrenders to end World War Two. 1945.

   After dropping one atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the Japanese War Council was not quite ready to surrender just yet. Determined to get Japan to surrender, the United States dropped another atomic bomb on August ninth. Dropping around 22, 000 tons of TNT and killing between sixty and eighty thousand people, the second bomb was enough to force the Japanese War Council to surrender once and for all. 

   This is one of the top three most interesting events of the 1900s because it ended one of the world's worst horrific wars. Without this event occurring, the course of history could have been completely different. One thing I particularly find interesting is that Japan did not surrender after the first atomic bomb, knowing there would probably be more attacks from the US. They waited too late and allowed for the deaths of tens of thousands of more people because they let their pride get in the way of surrendering earlier. On the flip side, I am surprised the US would commit such a violent act. I continue to wonder if they could've resolved the conflict another, more peaceful way.

Women Win the Vote. 1920.

   The 19th amendment was ratified by the US Congress on August 18, 1920. Women had never had as many rights as men in the US, including the right to vote. After 70 years of women and activist organizations fighting to be granted the right to vote, they were finally rewarded with women's suffrage. 

   This is one of the most interesting events in the 1900s because it changed the way America is run today. Women went from having almost no rights, to having all the same rights as men today. This process of achieving gender equality started with women receiving the right to vote. Women are just as important as men, so finally recognizing women as human beings and true citizens was a big step toward full-fledged equality. 

Congress Passes Landmark Civil Rights Act Outlawing Segregation. 1964.

   The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed the segregation of public places and ended employment discrimination based on color, religion, and gender. After years of public places and job offers being for "whites only," ending segregation was a huge improvement in equal rights. Without it, Americans may never have learned the importance of treating everyone with respect and equality, regardless of their race or beliefs. 

  This event is extremely interesting to me because it recognizes a significant moment in our country's history that completely changed the way we live today. This led to treating African Americans the same as whites, treating women the same as men, and not judging others based on color, race, or gender. Without this, we may still look down on those in our society who weren't white, male, or thought of as less important. The US has turned into a place where everyone is accepted, and it started with this civil rights act.