Featured moment
PlayStation 2 Launches Worldwide
Sony released the PS2, which would become the best-selling console in history with over 155 million units sold.
A new millennium begins.
Y2K fears faded, the dot-com bubble was at its peak, and the future felt closer than ever.
The Cost of Living in 2000
Gallon of Gas
$1.51
Loaf of Bread
$0.99
Gallon of Milk
$2.78
World Population
6.10 billion
Featured moment
Dot-Com Bubble Bursts
The NASDAQ crashed from its March peak of 5,048, wiping out trillions in market value and ending the internet gold rush.
Featured moment
The Sims Released
Will Wright's life simulation game became a cultural phenomenon and one of the best-selling PC games ever.
The wider picture
More from 2000
A few more things worth remembering.
Science & Space
International Space Station Receives First Crew
Expedition 1 arrived at the ISS, beginning a continuous human presence in space that continues today.
Internet
Napster Peaks at 80 Million Users
The file-sharing service revolutionized music distribution before being shut down by legal battles.
Sports
Sydney Olympics
Australia hosted a spectacular Summer Games, with Cathy Freeman's 400m gold becoming an iconic moment.
Literature
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Published
The fourth Potter book broke sales records and marked the series' shift toward darker, more mature themes.
Music
Eminem Releases "The Marshall Mathers LP"
The controversial album became the fastest-selling solo album in US history at the time.
World Events
George W. Bush Elected President
The closest US presidential election in history was decided by the Supreme Court after the Florida recount.
Cinema & TV
Gladiator Wins Best Picture
Ridley Scott's Roman epic starring Russell Crowe dominated the Oscars and reignited the sword-and-sandals genre.
Technology
USB Flash Drives Introduced
The first commercial USB flash drives appeared, beginning the end of floppy disks.
Technology
Nokia 3310 Released
The virtually indestructible phone became the iconic mobile device of the early 2000s.
Cinema & TV
Survivor Premieres on CBS
The reality TV show became a cultural sensation and launched the modern reality television era.
You arrivedin 2000.
The longer view
This was only the opening scene.
Follow the world as it changed around you, from 2000 to today.