World Events · 2000
A New Millennium Awakens Amid Uncertainties
The year 2000 ushered in the third millennium with relief as the Y2K scare passed, yet it quickly became defined by fierce political battles and geopolitical shifts. From space travel milestones to historic diplomatic breakthroughs, humanity stepped into a rapidly changing century.
- January 1, 2000 | Worldwide
The Y2K Millennium Bug Transition
Global fears of catastrophic computer infrastructure meltdowns evaporated as systems successfully rolled over to the year 2000 with only minor disruptions.
- June 13–15, 2000 | North Korea
First Inter-Korean Summit
South Korean President Kim Dae-jung met North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang, sparking hope for reconciliation and earning Kim Dae-jung the Nobel Peace Prize.
- July 25, 2000 | France
Air France Flight 4590 Concorde Crash
A supersonic Concorde airliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Paris, killing 113 people and marking the beginning of the end for the iconic commercial aircraft.
- August 12, 2000 | Russia
Kursk Submarine Disaster
An explosion during a naval exercise sank the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk, trapping and tragically killing all 118 crew members aboard.
- October 5, 2000 | Serbia
Serbian Bulldozer Revolution
Massive popular protests forced Yugoslav President Slobodan Milošević to step down after he refused to accept defeat in democratic elections.
- October 12, 2000 | Yemen
USS Cole Bombing
An al-Qaeda suicide boat attack targeted the navy destroyer USS Cole in a Yemeni port, killing 17 American sailors and foreshadowing future global conflict.
- November 2, 2000 | Low Earth Orbit
Expedition 1 Boards the ISS
Astronaut William Shepherd and cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev became the first crew to live aboard the International Space Station, starting uninterrupted human presence in space.
- November 7, 2000 | United States
Contested U.S. Presidential Election
A razor-thin margin in Florida triggered weeks of legal recounts before the Supreme Court ended the dispute, awarding George W. Bush the presidency over Al Gore.
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