Top 5 News Stories of the 2000s

The year 2000 nearly didn’t happen, but thankfully the Y2K glitch was a fluke that left the world’s computers untouched. However, nothing prepared the world for the future events that would come to shape the world in the upcoming decade.

Here are five news stories that defined the 2000s:

11 September 2001 – 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

A date that lives in infamy, as most people can tell you where they were when two Boeing 767 planes crashed into the World Trade Centers in New York City, USA. The co-ordinated terror attack killed close to 3 000 people, and cemented itself as the worst act of terrorism on American soil.

Within days, Osama bin Laden and Islamic extremist group, al-Qaeda, were identified as the perpetrators of the incident. Then-US president George W. Bush commenced the “War on Terror”, which is still ongoing.

4 February 2004 – Facebook is Launched

When “thefacebook.com” launched in early February, the phrase “social media” was barely in use. The burgeoning social network helped students on Harvard College’s campus connect and communicate with each other. Within 18 months, it had spread to other universities, high schools and anyone who was over the age of 13.

The revolutionary website – which was created by Mark Zuckerberg and his college roommates Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes – now boasts over 2.8 billion users.

29 June 2007 – Apple Releases iPhone

Technology company Apple Inc. originally started out as a computer manufacturer, but quickly started producing other products such as the iPod to compete with information technology competitor, Microsoft.

The iPhone was first announced by former CEO, Steve Jobs, on 9 January 2007, and was launched on 29 June. The “smartphone” was an instant hit and revolutionised cellphones, which made Apple a globally recognised brand.

4 November 2008 – Barack Obama Elected as US President

Democratic candidate, Barack Obama, beat out Republican candidate, John McCain, by winning 52.9% of the popular national vote compared to McCain’s 45.7%.

The result saw the Illinois senator not only become the 44th president of the United States of America, but the first African-American to do so. Today, he is seen as an icon of peace and an example of respectable leadership.

25 June 2009 – Michael Jackson Dies at Age 50

Michael Joseph Jackson endured a difficult childhood performing as a member of the Jackson 5 with his older brothers between the 1960s and 1980s. But he saw immense success as a solo artist, especially after the release of his 1982 album, “Thriller.”
A string of hit singles, music videos showing off his talented choreography and fashion sense gave Jackson the title “King of Pop” – earning him rooms full of awards, and thus leaving his artistic mark on history and popular culture.

However, the music stopped on 25 June 2009 when he was found dead from a drug overdose, robbing the world of a tortured, musical genius.