2000 to 2009
What happened in history...2001 - George Walker Bush inaugurated as the 43rd President of the United States
2001 - September 11th terrorist attack; 19 terrorists hijack four planes and creash them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Shanksville, PA killing nearly 3,000 people and injuring over 6,000. All civilian air traffic is suspended for 3 days, the first time an unplanned suspension had occurred in U.S. history 2001 - The United States lauches the invasion of Afghanistan marking the start of Operation Enduring Freedom 2001 - American Airlines Flight 587 crashes in Queens, New York, killing 265 2002 - The Department of Homeland Security is created in the wake of the September 11 attacks 2003 - Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrates upon re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere, killing all 7 astronauts and resulting in a 29-month suspension of the space shuttle program 2003 - The United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invades Iraq marking the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003 - In Iraq, deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein is captured by U.S. special forces 2004 - The social networking website Facebook is launched 2004 - Former U.S. President Ronald Wilson Reagan dies from complications resulting from Alzheimer's Disease. 2004 - George W. Bush re-elected to second term, Republicans solidify control in both houses of Congress 2005 - Hurricane Katrina devastates the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama coast killing at least 1,836 people and causing $81 billion in damage, making it the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Weeks later, Hurricane Rita causes $10 billion damage along the Louisiana ans Texas coastlines. In October, Hurricane Wilma kills 35 and causes $20 billion in damage in Florida 2007 - The I-35W Mississippi River bridge in Minneapolis, MN collapses, killing 13 people. The bridge collapse brings to national attention the need to rehabilitate the aging U.S. infrastructure system 2008 - Hurricane Ike kills 100 people along the Texas coast, produces $31 billion in damage, and contributes to rising oil prices 2008 - Barack Obama elected 44th President of the United States, first African-American to hold the office 2009 - Pop icon Michael Jackson dies, creating the largest public mourning for an entertainer since the death of Elvis Presley |