World Events in 2001
September 11 Attacks
On 11 September, al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four planes and crashed two into the World Trade Center in New York and one into the Pentagon. The fourth, United 93, crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back. Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the deadliest terrorist attack in history.
War in Afghanistan Begins
In response to 9/11, the US and UK launched Operation Enduring Freedom on 7 October, targeting the Taliban regime harboring al-Qaeda. The Taliban were quickly removed from power but the conflict would last another 20 years.
UK Foot-and-Mouth Disease Crisis
A devastating outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease led to the slaughter of over 6 million cattle, sheep, and pigs across Britain. The countryside was shut down, the general election postponed, and the crisis cost the UK economy an estimated £8 billion.
Anthrax Letters Attack the US
Letters containing anthrax spores were mailed to US media offices and two Democratic senators in the weeks after 9/11, killing five people. The attacks heightened bioterrorism fears and took the FBI years to resolve.
Enron Scandal
Energy giant Enron filed for bankruptcy in December after massive accounting fraud was exposed. It was the largest bankruptcy in US history at the time and led to the dissolution of Arthur Andersen, one of the Big Five accounting firms.
Music in 2001
"It Wasn't Me"
Shaggy ft. Rikrok
The reggae-pop hit dominated the UK charts early in 2001 and was one of the year's best-selling singles, with its catchy hook becoming inescapable.
"Hanging by a Moment"
Lifehouse
The alternative rock ballad was the most-played song on US radio in 2001 according to Billboard's year-end chart, marking a shift toward more earnest rock in the post-9/11 mood.
#1 Film of 2001
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Box Office: $975 million worldwide
The first adaptation of J.K. Rowling's beloved novels became a cultural phenomenon and launched one of cinema's most successful franchises, with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint becoming household names overnight.
Born in 2001
Jude Bellingham
English footballer who became a star at Real Madrid and one of the brightest talents in world football
Charli D'Amelio
American social media personality who became the most-followed creator on TikTok
Pedri
Spanish midfielder who became a key player for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team at a remarkably young age
Rico Yan
Filipino actor born in this era who became known for youth films
Lost in 2001
George Harrison
The 'quiet Beatle', guitarist and songwriter of 'Something' and 'Here Comes the Sun'
Age 58
Dale Earnhardt
Legendary NASCAR driver known as 'The Intimidator', killed in the Daytona 500
Age 49
Jack Lemmon
Oscar-winning American actor known for The Apartment and The Odd Couple
Age 76
Aaliyah
American R&B singer and actress, killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas
Age 22
Technology in 2001
Apple launched the iPod in October, beginning its transformation from computer company to consumer electronics giant. Broadband internet was slowly replacing dial-up. Wikipedia launched, and Windows XP debuted as the dominant PC operating system.
- ● Apple iPod launched with '1,000 songs in your pocket'
- ● Windows XP released — became the most widely used OS for years
- ● Wikipedia went live on 15 January
- ● Xbox launched as Microsoft entered the console market
Cost of Living in 2001
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £96,000 | $147,000 |
| Average salary | £20,500 | $41,000 |
| Pint of milk | £0.25 | $0.36 |
| Loaf of bread | £0.53 | $1.01 |
| Dozen eggs | £1.32 | $0.93 |
| Pint of beer | £1.95 | $3.10 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | £3.40 | $1.46 |
| Cinema ticket | £4.60 | $5.66 |
Shop 2001 memorabilia on eBay/Amazon
The Zeitgeist of 2001
The year split in two: a carefree pre-9/11 summer of pop music, Harry Potter mania, and reality TV, then a sombre autumn defined by grief, patriotism, and fear. Fashion saw the rise of velour tracksuits and trucker hats. The first Harry Potter film and Lord of the Rings opened within weeks of each other, defining blockbuster cinema for the decade.
In the News in 2001
The foot-and-mouth disease crisis devastated British farming with over 6 million animals culled. Wikipedia launched in January. George W. Bush was inaugurated as the 43rd President after the contested 2000 election. Apple opened its first retail stores.