Politics aside, we’re all ready to turn the page - Boston Metro

March 2001
President Bush requests a delay in the release of presidential records followed by an executive order that limits access to personal presidential papers starting from Reagan’s era.

April 2001
The Bush tax cuts are enacted, giving $1.65 trillion in cuts to large corporations and the wealthiest in the country. It is the group that sees the largest decrease overall.

August 2001
A memo titled “Osama Bin Laden determined to strike U.S.” crosses Bush’s desk.

September 2001
The World Trade Center and the Pentagon are attacked. Bush is told of the news while reading “My Pet Goat” to a class of young kids. He doesn’t move for seven minutes.

October 2001
Bush signs into law the Patriot Act, which gives government unprecedented rights to search people’s medical, telephone and e-mail records.

June 2002
Bush makes comments revealing his “Bush Doctrine.” He says the U.S. should initiate preemptive wars when the threat is perceived as great enough. He has not declared war.

September 2002
Bush asks Congress to grant him the authority to use military force against Iraq. They oblige.

February 2003
Then-Secretary of State Colin Powell states that Iraq is harboring weapons of mass destruction.

March 2003
Under the premise that Iraq has WMDs, America invades the country with a fierce “shock and awe” campaign, unloading tons of bombs upon the city in a late-night attack.

May 2003
Bush takes advantage of a photo-op in front of an aircraft carrier with a banner bearing the words “Mission Accomplished” across it.

June 2003
The Federal Communications Commission announces pushes for more media consolidation.

February 2004
Bush backs a Constitutional amendment denying any state the right to recognize gay marriage.

April 2004
Photos are leaked showing U.S. soldiers sexually and physically abusing prisoners at Abu Ghraib.

September 2004
The federal deficit reaches a record high, approaching nearly $1 trillion. Former President Bill Clinton handed Bush more than $500 billion in surplus when he took office.

March 2005
Bush interjects the federal government in the case of incapacitated Terri Schiavo, banning doctors from pulling the feeding tube she depended on.

August 2005
Hurricane Katrina destroys New Orleans. Bush travels the country for photo-ops for two days before sending aid.

April 2006
News agencies report that Bush has issued “signing statements” for 750 laws, which grant him the authority to override those laws if his interpretation of the Constitution does not provide for them.

May 2007
Bush signs a directive that gives himself complete control of all three branches of government in cases where “extraordinary disaster” warrant it.

March 2008
It is revealed that Bush has used a third of his presidency — 879 days — for vacation. The death toll of U.S. troops in Iraq reaches 4,000; Iraqi civilian deaths are estimated at over half a million.

September 2008
Lehman Brothers goes bankrupt, sending the economy into the worst crisis since the Great Depression.