World Events in 2000
Y2K Bug Passes Without Incident
After years of apocalyptic warnings about the millennium bug crashing global computer systems, midnight on 1 January 2000 passed with barely a glitch. Governments and businesses had spent an estimated $300 billion worldwide on preparedness.
Dot-Com Bubble Bursts
The NASDAQ Composite peaked at 5,048 on 10 March 2000 before beginning a catastrophic decline. Hundreds of internet startups folded as investors realised most had no viable business model, wiping out trillions in market value.
USS Cole Bombing
On 12 October, al-Qaeda suicide bombers attacked the USS Cole in Aden harbour, Yemen, killing 17 American sailors. The attack foreshadowed the far larger assault that would come the following year.
Second Intifada Begins
Violence erupted between Israelis and Palestinians in September following Ariel Sharon's controversial visit to the Temple Mount. The conflict would rage for years and effectively end the Oslo peace process.
Concorde Crash
Air France Flight 4590 crashed shortly after takeoff from Paris Charles de Gaulle on 25 July, killing all 109 on board and 4 on the ground. A metal strip on the runway punctured a tyre, sending debris into a fuel tank. The disaster effectively ended Concorde's commercial career.
Music in 2000
"Can We Fix It?"
Bob the Builder
The novelty single from the children's TV character was the UK Christmas number one and the best-selling single of 2000, shifting over 853,000 copies.
"Breathe"
Faith Hill
Faith Hill's crossover smash topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became the best-selling US single of the year, cementing her as a mainstream pop-country superstar.
#1 Film of 2000
Mission: Impossible 2
Box Office: $546 million worldwide
Directed by John Woo, the action sequel starring Tom Cruise was the highest-grossing film of 2000 globally, though it received a more mixed reception than its predecessor.
Born in 2000
Erling Haaland
Norwegian football striker who became one of the most prolific goalscorers in Premier League and Champions League history
Addison Rae
American social media personality and actress who rose to fame on TikTok
Youssoufa Moukoko
German-Cameroonian footballer who became Borussia Dortmund's youngest-ever Bundesliga player
Willow Smith
American singer, actress, and daughter of Will Smith, known for 'Whip My Hair'
Lost in 2000
Charles M. Schulz
Creator of the Peanuts comic strip featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy
Age 77
Alec Guinness
Legendary British actor known for The Bridge on the River Kwai and Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars
Age 86
Hedy Lamarr
Hollywood actress and inventor who co-developed frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology
Age 85
Walter Matthau
American actor beloved for The Odd Couple and Grumpy Old Men
Age 79
Technology in 2000
The internet was mainstream but still dial-up for most homes. Mobile phones were ubiquitous but basic — the Nokia 3310 launched and became iconic. DVD players were replacing VHS, and the PlayStation 2 launched to massive demand.
- ● Nokia 3310 released — became the best-selling phone of its era
- ● PlayStation 2 launched worldwide
- ● USB flash drives appeared on the market
- ● Camera phones first sold in Japan by Sharp
Cost of Living in 2000
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £88,000 | $137,000 |
| Average salary | £20,000 | $40,300 |
| Pint of milk | £0.25 | $0.35 |
| Loaf of bread | £0.52 | $0.99 |
| Dozen eggs | £1.30 | $0.96 |
| Pint of beer | £1.90 | $3.00 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | £3.50 | $1.51 |
| Cinema ticket | £4.50 | $5.39 |
Shop 2000 memorabilia on eBay/Amazon
The Zeitgeist of 2000
The new millennium brought optimism mixed with anxiety — Y2K fears gave way to a celebratory mood as the world partied into 2000 unscathed. Low-rise jeans, butterfly clips, and cargo pants dominated fashion while reality TV exploded with Big Brother and Survivor. Sydney hosted a spectacular Olympics, and the Premier League was in its pomp with Manchester United dominant.
In the News in 2000
The Millennium Dome opened in London to mixed reviews and poor attendance. Concorde's only fatal crash occurred near Paris in July. Vladimir Putin became President of Russia for the first time. The dot-com bubble began its dramatic deflation as the NASDAQ peaked in March then plummeted.