Technology & Culture:
* Y2K Scare: The world braced for the Y2K bug, a potential computer glitch due to date coding. While it ultimately did not cause widespread chaos, it highlighted the vulnerabilities of technology and led to massive investments in upgrades.
* Rise of the Internet: The internet continued its rapid growth, with the first commercial Wi-Fi network launched and the introduction of the first generation of smartphones.
* Pop Culture: Eminem's "The Marshall Mathers LP" became a cultural phenomenon, and bands like Radiohead, Coldplay, and Daft Punk released groundbreaking albums. The movie "Gladiator" dominated the box office, and the "Harry Potter" series continued its meteoric rise.
Politics & World Events:
* US Presidential Election: George W. Bush was elected president of the United States, narrowly defeating Al Gore. This election was highly contested and ultimately decided by the Supreme Court.
* NATO Expansion: NATO expanded eastward, adding three new members: Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. This was seen as a move to counter Russia's influence in the region.
* The Kosovo War: The Kosovo War ended with a NATO-led intervention forcing Serbian forces to withdraw. This marked the end of the Yugoslav Wars and the creation of an independent Kosovo.
* The Millennium Bug: As mentioned above, the Y2K scare was a major international event, with governments and businesses spending billions to prepare for potential problems.
* The Columbine High School Massacre: A horrific shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado, USA, highlighted concerns about gun violence and school safety.
Other Notable Events:
* The death of John Lennon's killer, Mark David Chapman.
* The beginning of the "dot-com bubble," a period of rapid growth and investment in internet-related companies, which would later lead to a major economic downturn.
* The first cloned human embryo was reported to be created.
Looking back, 2000 marked a crucial turning point in human history, reflecting the growing influence of technology, the changing geopolitical landscape, and a world becoming increasingly interconnected.