Technology:
* Dot-com bubble burst: The dot-com bubble, a period of rapid growth and speculation in the internet sector, burst, leading to the collapse of many internet-based companies and a decline in stock markets worldwide.
Politics:
* United States presidential election: George W. Bush won the close and highly contested presidential election, becoming the 43rd president of the United States. The election was marked by controversy and legal challenges over vote counting in the state of Florida.
* Second Intifada: The Second Intifada, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada, began in September 2000, marked by increased violence and unrest between Israelis and Palestinians.
* Vladimir Putin becomes president of Russia: Vladimir Putin rose to power in Russia, becoming president after the resignation of Boris Yeltsin in December 1999.
Natural Disasters:
* Hurricane Katrina: Hurricane Katrina devastated parts of the Gulf Coast of the United States, particularly New Orleans, causing widespread damage, loss of life, and social disruption.
* Volcanic eruption in the Philippines: The Mount Pinatubo volcano erupted in the Philippines, producing ash clouds and pyroclastic flows, resulting in significant damage and displacement of people.
* Drought in the Horn of Africa: A severe drought affected several countries in the Horn of Africa, leading to widespread hunger, malnutrition, and displacement of populations.
Sports:
* Sydney Olympics: The XXVII Summer Olympic Games were held in Sydney, Australia, showcasing top athletes from around the world.
* European Football Championships: The UEFA Euro 2000 football tournament took place in Belgium and the Netherlands, with France emerging as the champions.
Entertainment:
* Music: The boy band NSYNC released their third studio album, "No Strings Attached," which sold over 10 million copies in its first week of release.
* Movies: "Gladiator," directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe, won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
* Gaming: The Sony PlayStation 2 was released, becoming a highly popular video game console with innovative games like "Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec."
Science:
* Human Genome Project: The Human Genome Project, an international scientific effort to sequence the human genome, was completed. This milestone in genetics provided insights into human health, evolution, and the understanding of genetic diseases.
Fashion:
* Y2K Fashion: The turn of the millennium brought a trend known as Y2K fashion, characterized by bright colors, metallic fabrics, and futuristic designs.
Overall, the year 2000 was marked by significant technological advancements, political changes, natural disasters, notable sporting events, and achievements in entertainment, science, and fashion.