2001
Key events from 2001
2001
The day that changed the world—terrorist attacks shock America, launching decades of war and reshaping global politics, while collaborative knowledge-sharing begins quietly transforming how humanity learns.
🌍 Key World Events
| Date | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 11 | 9/11 terrorist attacks strike America | Al-Qaeda hijacks four planes, destroying World Trade Center and damaging Pentagon, killing nearly 3,000 and transforming global security. |
| Oct 7 | U.S. invades Afghanistan | Military operation targeting Taliban and Al-Qaeda begins America’s longest war, lasting 20 years. |
| Oct 26 | USA PATRIOT Act signed | Sweeping anti-terrorism law expands government surveillance powers, sparking ongoing civil liberties debates. |
| Dec 13 | U.S. withdraws from ABM Treaty | Bush administration exits Cold War-era treaty, pursuing missile defense despite Russian objections. |
| Jun 1 | Crown Prince massacre in Nepal | Crown Prince kills royal family before committing suicide, destabilizing monarchy. |
🧪 Science & Technology
- Wikipedia launched (Jan 15) — Free online encyclopedia revolutionizes access to knowledge through collaborative editing.
- iPod released (Oct 23) — Apple’s portable music player transforms how people consume music, storing “1,000 songs in your pocket.”
- iTunes launched (Jan 9) — Digital music management software begins Apple’s domination of music distribution.
- Wikipedia reaches 20,000 articles by end of year, growing exponentially as global contributors expand internet knowledge base.
- XP operating system released by Microsoft (Oct 25), becoming one of longest-lasting Windows versions.
🎨 Culture & Society
- “A Beautiful Mind” wins Best Picture — Ron Howard’s film about mathematician John Nash’s struggles with schizophrenia.
- “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” premieres (Nov 16) — First film adaptation becomes global phenomenon.
- “The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring” premieres (Dec 19) — Peter Jackson’s epic begins acclaimed trilogy.
- Reality TV boom — “Survivor” dominates ratings while “American Idol” prepares to launch, defining new entertainment era.
- Enron scandal explodes — Energy company’s massive accounting fraud triggers corporate governance reforms.
👶 Notable Births
| Name | Born | Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| Taron Egerton | Nov 10 | Welsh actor known for “Rocketman” and “Kingsman.” |
⚰️ Notable Deaths
- 9/11 victims (Sep 11) — 2,977 people killed in terrorist attacks, including 343 firefighters and 71 police officers.
- Dale Earnhardt (Feb 18) — NASCAR legend dies in crash during Daytona 500.
- George Harrison (Nov 29) — Former Beatles guitarist dies of cancer at age 58.
- Douglas Adams (May 11) — “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” author dies unexpectedly at 49.
📚 Quick Facts & Trivia
- Pre-9/11 vs Post-9/11: The attacks created stark divide in American history, transforming airport security, foreign policy, and national psyche.
- Afghanistan War: What began as targeted operation against Al-Qaeda became 20-year nation-building effort, America’s longest war.
- Wikipedia’s Growth: Started with just 17 articles in January, Wikipedia exploded to become one of world’s most-visited websites.
- iPod Revolution: Though initially mocked for $399 price tag, iPod revolutionized music industry and paved way for iPhone.
- Anthrax attacks (Sep-Oct) — Letters containing anthrax spores kill 5 people, heightening post-9/11 fears of biological terrorism.
- China joins WTO (Dec 11) — Membership accelerates China’s integration into global economy, reshaping world trade.