- 2000: Millennium celebrations around the world.
- 2001: September 11 attacks in the United States, leading to the War on Terror.
- 2003: Invasion of Iraq by the United States and its allies.
- 2004: Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
- 2008: Global financial crisis, starting with the collapse of the United States housing bubble.
- 2009: Barack Obama becomes the first African-American President of the United States.
- 2010: Deepwater Horizon oil spill, causing extensive damage to marine life and the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem.
- 2011: Arab Spring uprisings, leading to political change in several countries, including Egypt and Libya.