Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1994
The 6.7-magnitude Northridge earthquake strikes LA on January 17, killing 72 and causing $20
billion in property damage - one of the costliest natural disasters in US history.
2000
The NASDAQ crashes, ending the dot-com boom. Traditional industries gloat over the burst
bubble, until knock-on effects lead to a devalued dollar and NYSE slide starting in 2002.
2003
Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger (aka 'The Governator') is elected governor of California. Sch-
warzenegger breaks party ranks on environmental issues and wins re-election in 2007.
2004
Google's IPO raises a historic $1.67 billion at $85 per share. Since then share prices have in-
creased over 900% and the company's market value now exceeds $350 billion.
2005
Antonio Villaraigosa is elected mayor of LA, the first Latino to hold that office since 1872. Born
poor in East LA, he says in his victory speech, 'I will never forget where I came from.'
2007
Wildfires sweep drought-stricken Southern California forcing one million people to evacuate their
homes. Migrant workers, state prisoners and Tijuana firefighters help curb the blazes.
2008
California voters pass Proposition 8, defining legal marriage as between a man and a woman.
Courts eventually rule the law unconstitutional, and same-sex marriages resume in 2013.
2013
