Scale and Consequence

The 5 moments in this challenge

The scenes are shown below — tap a card to reveal its place and year.

1. 

   Round 1 · 1976

   Rollout of the Space Shuttle Enterprise

   Palmdale, California

   The first Space Shuttle orbiter was unveiled to the public accompanied by the cast of Star Trek, following a write-in campaign that successfully changed its name from 'Constitution'.

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2. 

   Round 2 · 1989

   Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

   Prince William Sound, Alaska

   The oil tanker Exxon Valdez struck Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, spilling eleven million gallons of crude oil in what became one of the most devastating environmental disasters in history.

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3. 

   Round 3 · 1991

   Capping the Kuwaiti Oil Fires

   Ahmadi, Kuwait

   Retreating Iraqi troops set over 600 oil wells ablaze, requiring international teams of firefighters to battle infernos in the blackened desert for months.

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4. 

   Round 4 · 1940

   Launch of the Yamato Battleship

   Kure, Japan

   Built in intense secrecy at the Kure Naval Arsenal, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched the heavily armored hull of the largest and most powerfully armed battleship ever constructed.

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5. 

   Round 5 · 52 BC

   Caesar's Siege Defenses at Alesia

   Alise-Sainte-Reine, Gaul

   Julius Caesar ordered the construction of two massive concentric rings of fortifications around the hilltop fort of Alesia to simultaneously besiege Vercingetorix and defend against a massive Gallic relief army.

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