1. The American Pageant Chapter 41 America Confronts the Post-Cold War Era, 1992-2004 Cover Slide Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

2. Election of 2000--signs during Supreme Court debate The winner of the 2000 presidential election was determined by a disputed vote count in Florida that was later upheld by the Supreme Court. As the justices considered their decision, supporters of Gore and Bush confronted each other outside of the Supreme Court building. (Douglas Graham/Corbis Sygma) Election of 2000--signs during Supreme Court debate Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

3. Judge Robert Rosenberg examining a dimpled ballot A Fort Lauderdale judge scrutinizes a partially punched-out ballot in late November 2000. () Judge Robert Rosenberg examining a dimpled ballot Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

4. Enron executives testifying--CEO Jeffrey Skilling testifying on Capitol Hill, February 7, 2002 Jeffrey Skilling, former CEO of Houston's collapsed Enron Corporation, testifies before a Congressional committee in February of 2002. A cascade of other corporate scandals soon followed. (Wide World Photos, Inc.) Enron executives testifying--CEO Jeffrey Skilling testifying on Capitol Hill, February 7, 2002 Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

5. September 11th The September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center by terrorists who hijacked two civilian airliners and used them as missiles against the twin towers left the nation stunned, angry, and determined to bring those who had orchestrated the attack to justice. (Robert Clark/Aurora) September 11th Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

6. 9/11 rescue efforts at Ground Zero Rescuers remove a flag-draped body from the ruins of the World Trade Center. (Don Tellock/Gamma Press USA, Inc.) 9/11 rescue efforts at Ground Zero Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

7. Bush, Rumsfeld, Rice, and Powell When George W. Bush assumed the presidency in 2001, many believed that domestic policy would dominate the agenda, but national security issues soon became the overriding priority. Those most important in shaping U.S. national security policy are shown here with the president: Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Bush, Rumsfeld, Rice, and Powell Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

8. Afghan war scene--high-tech army A U.S. soldier uses a laptop computer in a training exercise at Fort Irwin, California. Such technology loomed large in the post-September 11 U.S. campaign in Afghanistan. (Copyright Sigma/Corbis) Afghan war scene--high-tech army Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.