2011 in the United States

2011 in the United States
Year	2011
President	Barack Obama
Vice president	Joe Biden
Speaker of the house	John Boehner
Events	Tornado outbreak of April 25–28, 2011, Death of Osama bin Laden, End of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Occupy Wall Street

2011 in the United States was a year marked by significant political contention, dramatic natural disasters, and pivotal national security events. The year saw a protracted debt-ceiling crisis dominate Washington, D.C. politics, while the military achieved a major objective with the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. In culture, the rise of the Occupy Wall Street movement highlighted growing economic anxieties.

Major events

The year began with a tragic shooting in Tucson, Arizona, where a massacre targeted Gabrielle Giffords and killed six. Spring brought catastrophic weather, including the Tornado outbreak of April 25–28, 2011, which devastated towns like Joplin, Missouri, and Hurricane Irene causing extensive damage along the East Coast of the United States. In a defining moment for national security, United States Navy SEALs killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden at his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The year ended with the formal conclusion of the Iraq War as President Barack Obama fulfilled a campaign promise by withdrawing U.S. forces, ending Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Politics and government

The 112th United States Congress, with a Republican-controlled House led by Speaker John Boehner and a Democratic-led Senate, was defined by intense partisan conflict. A major showdown over the United States debt ceiling brought the federal government to the brink of default, leading to the passage of the Budget Control Act of 2011. The Tea Party movement exerted significant influence on the GOP agenda. In foreign policy, the Obama administration engaged in a NATO-led intervention in the Libyan Civil War (2011), authorizing military action under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973.

Economy and business

The economy continued a slow recovery from the Great Recession, with unemployment remaining high, though Standard & Poor's made history by downgrading the U.S. credit rating. The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced significant volatility. The Occupy Wall Street movement, beginning in Zuccotti Park in New York City, spread nationwide, protesting income inequality and corporate influence. Major corporations like American Airlines parent AMR Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, while Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Jobs resigned as CEO shortly before his death.

Science and technology

NASA concluded its Space Shuttle program with the final missions of STS-133 and STS-135, retiring the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declared 2011 a record year for billion-dollar weather disasters. In the private sector, SpaceX advanced its Dragon spacecraft, and IBM's Watson computer defeated champions on the quiz show Jeopardy!. The rise of social media platforms like Twitter played a key role in movements such as Occupy Wall Street.

Culture and society

In film, *The Artist* won the Academy Award for Best Picture, while Bridesmaids became a major comedy hit. Television saw the final season of *Oprah* after 25 years and the premiere of the fantasy epic *Game of Thrones* on HBO. The National Basketball Association season was shortened by a lockout. Musically, Adele's album 21 dominated the charts, and Kanye West and Jay-Z released the collaborative album Watch the Throne. The New York Yankees retired the number of legendary catcher Jorge Posada.

Deaths

Notable deaths included Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, and actress Elizabeth Taylor. The world of music lost soul singer Amy Winehouse and blues legend Hubert Sumlin. Other prominent figures who died were astronaut Janice Voss, television host Andy Rooney of 60 Minutes, and baseball Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew. The year also saw the passing of former First Lady Betty Ford and pioneering journalist Helen Thomas.

Category:2011 in the United States Category:2010s in the United States