* War in Afghanistan: In response to the September 11 attacks, the United States invaded Afghanistan and overthrew the Taliban regime, which had harbored Osama bin Laden and other Al-Qaeda leaders.
* Enron scandal: The collapse of Enron Corporation, one of the largest energy companies in the United States, was the largest corporate bankruptcy in U.S. history and led to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which was designed to prevent future corporate fraud.
* Argentina's economic crisis: Argentina experienced its worst economic crisis in history, resulting in a devaluation of the currency, widespread unemployment, and political instability.
* Global recession: The United States and the world experienced a recession as a result of the September 11 attacks and the bursting of the dot-com bubble.
* Election of George W. Bush: George W. Bush took office as the 43rd president of the United States, defeating incumbent vice president Al Gore in a close election.