Featured moment
Spider-Man Breaks Box Office Records
Sam Raimi's superhero film starring Tobey Maguire became the first movie to earn $100M in its opening weekend.
Rebuilding and evolving.
The world adapted to a post-9/11 reality while technology kept pushing forward. The Euro arrived and Spider-Man swung into theaters.
The Cost of Living in 2002
Gallon of Gas
$1.83
Loaf of Bread
$1.03
Gallon of Milk
$2.94
World Population
6.28 billion
Featured moment
Euro Currency Enters Circulation
Twelve EU countries officially began using Euro banknotes and coins, creating the world's largest currency union.
Featured moment
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Peter Jackson's second LOTR installment delivered the epic Battle of Helm's Deep with groundbreaking Gollum CGI.
The wider picture
More from 2002
A few more things worth remembering.
Music
Eminem Stars in "8 Mile"
The semi-autobiographical film and its hit "Lose Yourself" cemented Eminem as a crossover cultural icon.
Sports
FIFA World Cup in South Korea/Japan
The first World Cup held in Asia saw Brazil win their record fifth title. South Korea's fairytale run captivated the world.
Science & Space
Mars Odyssey Finds Water Ice on Mars
NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter detected huge amounts of hydrogen, suggesting vast ice deposits beneath the surface.
Gaming
Xbox Live Launches
Microsoft launched its online gaming service, transforming console multiplayer and pioneering unified online gaming.
Technology
Windows XP Becomes Dominant OS
Released in late 2001, XP became the most widely used operating system, defining PC computing for a decade.
Gaming
Kingdom Hearts Released
Square and Disney's unexpected RPG crossover combined Final Fantasy and Disney worlds into a beloved franchise.
Gaming
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Set in a neon-drenched 1980s Miami-inspired city, Vice City became a cultural touchstone and massive commercial hit.
Cinema & TV
American Idol Premieres
The singing competition became a massive ratings hit and launched the careers of Kelly Clarkson and many others.
Internet
Friendster Launches
One of the first modern social networking sites launched, paving the way for MySpace and Facebook.
You arrivedin 2002.
The longer view
This was only the opening scene.
Follow the world as it changed around you, from 2002 to today.