Exhibit timeline
This timeline combines events and notable moments from the last 50 years from Northern Arizona University and world history.
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May 1, 1966
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1967
On January 15, the first Super Bowl is held between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers.
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1969
The Stonewall Riots in New York City become the start of the Gay Liberation Movement.
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1970
NAU joins the Big Sky Conference.
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1971
The South Academic Center opens and classes begin to be held.
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1972
On June 23, Title IX of the education amendments of 1972 is signed into law, requiring equal access for women in institutions that receive federal funding.
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1973
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1977
- Start Wars is released.
- In June, the accidental Mount Eldon Radio Fire destroys 4,594 acres of ponderosa pine forest.
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1977
The Ensphere, later renamed the Walkup Skydome, opens as the second-largest wooden dome in the world.
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1981
MTV is founded.
Gas leaks caused by rotting pipes force evacuation of dorms, disrupt classes, and cuase NAU to close for a short time.
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1984
The legal drinking age in Arizona is raised from 19 to 21.
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1985
Gay Academic Union is first gay rights club formed on NAU's campus.
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1986
The Hispanic Task Force is created to increase NAU's Hispanic faculty, staff, and students from across Arizona.
The first Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is celebrated across America on January 20. Arizona Governor Evan Mecham refuses to recognize it as a federal holiday.
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1987
NAU Yuma, briefly called NAYuma, is approved by the Arizona Board of Regents.
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1990
The Hubble Spacecraft is launched.
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1991
The Cline Library, renamed in 1988 for Platt and Barbara Cline, is opened after a 120,000 square foot expansion.
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1996
DVDs are first introduced in Japan. They are released in the U.S. in 1997.
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1998
NAU Online is launched to offer classes across the state and country.
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1999
The Y2K computer bug creates widespread fear of computer and network crashes.
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1999
2001
- Terrorist planes attack sites in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania killing 2,996 people.
- The September 11 terrorist attacks cause NAU to close briefly.
2003
NAU forms the Office of Community Relations with the tagline "One Community: Flagstaff and NAU."
2004
Facebook is launched.
2006
Pluto is reclassified as a dwarf planet.
2007
The Applied Research and Development building opens. It is a LEED certified platinum building.
2009
The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world at 2,722 feet, opens in Dubai.
2011
In May, Cards Against Humanity, the party game for horrible people, is released after a massively successful Kickstarter campaign.
2011
The Native American Cultural Center opens. NAU has the highest percentage of Native American students on campus in the United States.
2015
Gay marriage is legalized in all 50 states.
2016
- NAU goes tobacco-free on July 1.
- Hillary Clinton becomes the first woman nominated as president for a major political party.
