2000- today

  • New Millennia Starts

    New Millennia Starts
    The year 2000, or Y2K had started the new millennia. This was exciting for many, but also started something called the "Year 2000 Problem" or the "Y2K Scare", which made people believe technology would stop working and the consequences would be disastrous.
  • Liberation for Lebanon

    Liberation for Lebanon
    Israeli troops withdraw from Southern Lebanon. This day then becomes Liberation Day in Lebanon.
  • U.S. Presidential Election

    U.S. Presidential Election
    The election to elect the 41st president took place with George W. Bush and Al Gore going head to head. There was a recount but that ended on Dec. 12 and appointed Bush as the next President.
  • First Female Governor for PR

    First Female Governor for PR
    Sila Calderon is elected and becomes the first female governor of Puerto Rico.
  • Michael Phelps Record

    Michael Phelps Record
    Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps breaks the World Record for the 200m butterfly in swim.
  • Terrorist Attacks on the U.S.

    Terrorist Attacks on the U.S.
    On September 11, two hijacked planes crashed into both of the Twin Towers. Both towers then collapsed. These terrorist attacks continued as two other planes crashed into The Pentagon and into a field in Pennsylvania.
  • President Bush's "Axis of Evil" Speech

    President Bush's "Axis of Evil" Speech
    After the events of 9/11, President Bush made a speech using the phrase "axis of evil", referring to Iran, Iraq, and North Korea.
  • D.C. Sniper Attacks

    D.C. Sniper Attacks
    Planned shooting attacks involving snipers lasting 3 weeks in Washington D.C. 10 people were eventually killed and more injured.
  • Box Office Hit: Spiderman

    Box Office Hit: Spiderman
    Spiderman starring Tobey Maguire is the year's box office blockbuster. More than $406 million was made in the box office for the movie that year.
  • Ronaldo's Debut

    Ronaldo's Debut
    Football player Cristiano Ronaldo makes his official debut as a professional football player with Manchester United at only 18 years old.
  • "Simple Life" Premieres

    "Simple Life" Premieres
    The reality TV show "Simple Life" starring Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie premieres.
  • Iran Earthquake

    Iran Earthquake
    A 6.6 magnitude earthquake hits southeastern Iran. Very destructive, it kills over 40,000 people.
  • Death of Ronald Reagan

    Death of Ronald Reagan
    The former 40th President of the U.S., Ronald Reagan dies after battling Alzheimer's for a decade.
  • Release of the Nintendo DS

    Release of the Nintendo DS
    The well known and popular gaming device known as the Nintendo DS is released on November 21st.
  • YouTube Launch

    YouTube Launch
    The video service YouTube is officially launched by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim in the U.S. on February 15th.
  • Hurricane Katrina Forms

    Hurricane Katrina Forms
    The destructive category 5 hurricane known as Katrina forms. With a death toll of 1,833, it is the second highest death toll in the U.S. for a weather disaster.
  • Bolivia's First Indigenous President

    Bolivia's First Indigenous President
    Evo Morales is elected to be Bolivia's first indigenous president.
  • Steve Irwin Dies

    Steve Irwin Dies
    Steve Irwin a.k.a the famous "Crocodile Hunter" is killed by a stingray after getting stung in the chest.
  • iPhone is Announced

    iPhone is Announced
    Steve Jobs, the creator of Apple announces the first iPhone for the first time on January 9th.
  • India's First Female President

    India's First Female President
    Pratibha Patil is elected and sworn in as India's first female president on July 25th.
  • Steele Indian School Helicopter Crash

    Steele Indian School Helicopter Crash
    Two Arizona news station helicopters covering a police chase collide over Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix, Arizona. There were no survivors from the helicopters.
  • Fidel Castro Retires

    Fidel Castro Retires
    49 years after taking power, Fidel Castro step down and retires as president of Cuba.
  • Putin is Elected

    Putin is Elected
    Vladimir Putin is sworn in as Russia's Prime Minister on May 8th.
  • Obama Becomes President

    Obama Becomes President
    In the 2008 Presidential Election, Barack Obama defeats John McCain and becomes the first African American to be elected as President.
  • Heath Ledger's Oscar

    Heath Ledger's Oscar
    After his death in 2008, actor Heath Ledger receives an Oscar for his performance as "Joker" in The Dark Knight. His Oscar was received by his family on Oscar night on his behalf.
  • Neymar Jr.'s Debut

    Neymar Jr.'s Debut
    Football player, Neymar Jr., makes his official debut as a professional football player with Santos at 17 years old.
  • One Direction is Formed

    One Direction is Formed
    The famous boyband, One Direction, is formed for the first time on the TV show "X-Factor".
  • Instagram Launch

    Instagram Launch
    Creators of Instagram, Kevin Systrom and Mike Kreiger launch Instagram in the U.S.
  • Chile Mine Rescues

    Chile Mine Rescues
    33 miners get stuck in the Copiapo Mine and all 33 miners are rescued after being stuck in the mine for 69 days.
  • Gabrielle Giffords Shot

    Gabrielle Giffords Shot
    After giving a meeting with her supporters in a parking lot in Tucson, AZ, she is shot by Jared Lee Loughner. She was shot in the head as he shot other people as well. Six people were killed, while Giffords survived.
  • World Population Reaches 7 Billion

    World Population Reaches 7 Billion
    The U.N. reported that the global population had reached 7 billion on October 31st.
  • Death of Trayvon Martin

    Death of Trayvon Martin
    17-year old teenager Trayvon Martin is shot and killed by poilce officer George Zimmerman. This brought up for many to pay attention to racism and racial profiling in the U.S.
  • Malala Yousafzai Shot

    Malala Yousafzai Shot
    Malala Yousafzai is shot three times by a Taliban gunman. She was boarding her school bus. Malala is a women's rights and education activist.
  • Gangnam Style

    Gangnam Style
    Korean artist, Psy, releases "Gangnam Style", which is the first YouTube video to reach 1 billion views.
  • Boston Marathon Bombings

    Boston Marathon Bombings
    Pressure cookers exploded at the end of the finish line of the Boston Marathon. It killed 3 people and injured more than 260 people.
  • Bill Gates is the Richest

    Bill Gates is the Richest
    After losing his spot as the richest man in 2008, Bill Gates regains the title with $72.7 billion.
  • Ukrainian Revolution

    Ukrainian Revolution
    The Ukrainian Revolution starts as violent riots take place. Protestors, shooters and more take part in violent actions.
  • Malaysia Flight Disappears

    Malaysia Flight Disappears
    Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappears with 239 people on board. This was the most expensive search effort in history.
  • South Korean Ferry Disaster

    South Korean Ferry Disaster
    The MV Sewol Ferry had high school students on board heading toward Jeju when it sank for unknown reasons. 250 students died, while the captain had abandoned the ship.
  • El Chapo is Captured

    El Chapo is Captured
    Infamous drug lord "El Chapo" is recaptured after escaping a Mexican prison by underground tunnels to a house.
  • End of China's One-Child Policy

    End of China's One-Child Policy
    China end their one-child policy after 35 years. This allowed for families to have two children.
  • Flint Water Crisis

    Flint Water Crisis
    Obama calls for a state of emergency after water supplies in Flint, Michigan are over contaminated with lead. This led to a criminal investigation.
  • Brexit

    Brexit
    The U.K. votes to leave the European Union. This move and decision was called "Brexit"
  • Trump Elected President

    Trump Elected President
    Donald Trump is elected as the 45th President. He defeats Hilary Clinton.
  • Ariana Grande Concert Bombing

    Ariana Grande Concert Bombing
    A suicide bomb goes off at the Manchester Arena at an Ariana Grande concert. 22 people were killed and 59 were hurt.
  • "Despacito" is the Most Streamed Song

    "Despacito" is the Most Streamed Song
    Luis Fonsi's song, "Despacito" becomes the most streamed song ever. It was streamed 4.6 billion times.
  • Hawaii Missile Scare

    Hawaii Missile Scare
    The state of Hawaii goes into panic after a state emergency worker presses the wrong button and announces a false alert about ballistic missiles inbound to Hawaii.
  • Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting

    Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting
    Shooter and former student Nikolas Cruz opens fire at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. There were 17 people killed.
  • Royal Wedding

    Royal Wedding
    Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle get married. The royal wedding gathered 29 million viewers to watch.
  • Notre Dame Fire

    Notre Dame Fire
    A fire broke out under the roof of the Notre Dame in Paris, France. The cathedral's spire collapsed and its roofs and walls were destroyed.
  • Trump's Impeachment

    Trump's Impeachment
    The U.S. House of Representatives vote to impeach Trump. The votes were 230-197 for abuse of power and 229-198 for obstruction of Congress.
  • Kobe Bryant's Death

    Kobe Bryant's Death
    Basketball star Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna pass away in a helicopter crash in California.
  • COVID-19

    COVID-19
    Covid-19 is declared a global pandemic by the WHO. Schools are closed and lockdowns begin.
  • Biden Harris

    Biden Harris
    Joe Biden wins the 2020 Presidential Election, defeating Donald Trump. Kamala Harris is Vice President, making her the first woman Vice President of the U.S.
  • U.S. State Capitol Attack

    U.S. State Capitol Attack
    Supporters of Donald Trump storm and attack the capitol in Washington D.C. after the 2020 Presidential Election results. Evacuations and 5 deaths took place.
  • XXXII Summer Olympics

    XXXII Summer Olympics
    The Olympics, which were supposed to take place in 2020 but delayed to 2021, begin. There are no audiences allowed due to COVID.
  • Uvalde Shooting

    Uvalde Shooting
    An 18 year old gunman opens fire at Uvalde Elementary School, killing 19 children and 2 teachers.
  • Queen Elizabeth Dies

    Queen Elizabeth Dies
    The longest reigning monarch of the Royal Family, Queen Elizabeth passes away. She ruled for 70 years.
  • Idaho Murders

    Idaho Murders
    Four university students are stabbed/murdered in their home in Moscow, Idaho. Bryan Kohberger is arrested a month later as the main suspect.
  • FIFA World Cup

    FIFA World Cup
    The World Cup takes place in Qatar. Argentina wins against France in the final, allowing player Lionel Messi to win his first World Cup.
  • Mexico's Anti-Smoking Laws

    Mexico's Anti-Smoking Laws
    Mexico starts new anti-smoking laws, banning smoking in public spaces.