Some predicted that the year 2000 would begin with a plunge into darkness. A computer glitch, they said, would shut down the new millennium before it began. But as the clock struck midnight last New Year's Eve, those fears were forgotten. Instead, a chain reaction of bright lights and sparkling fireworks lit up the world!
The year that followed was illuminated by unforgettable events. Tiger Woods blazed his way to three golf championships in one season. Australian Olympic runner Cathy Freeman lit the flame for the Sydney Games. Kids raced around on shiny scooters, and a little boy named Elián had us all tuned in to the news.
What will spark your memories of the year 2000? Here's a look back at some of the biggest, brightest and most important events of the year.
January
On January 1, news spread that Boris Yeltsin, Russia's first freely elected President, had resigned in a tearful TV speech on New Year's Eve. Vladimir Putin replaced him.
The world rang in 2000 with fireworks and other colorful celebrations, including this one in Washington, D.C.
February
Fans grieved when Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, 77, died of cancer on February 12. His last comic strip ran in newspapers the next day.
The Grammy genie granted her wish! Christina Aguilera, 19, won the year's Best New Artist award.
March
President Clinton traveled to south Asia with his daughter Chelsea. It was the first time an American President had visited Bangladesh and the first time in 22 years that one had visited India. Clinton encouraged peace in India and Pakistan, which have been fighting over land for 50 years.
April
The world watched as officials took Cuban boy Elián González, 6, from his relatives' home in Miami, Florida. The family had cared for Elián after his mother died in a shipwreck while trying to take him from Cuba to the U.S. After a legal fight, Elián's father took him back to Cuba.
May
The giant, nearly perfect skeleton of a T.rex named Sue made its public debut at the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois. The museum paid $1 million for the fossil and spent three years restoring and assembling the bones.
June
Craig Venter and Francis Collins announced they had figured out the order in which billions of proteins combine to make up our 50,000 human genes. The gene code determines our traits: blond, tall, freckled, allergic. Their work may help us learn to prevent some gene-related diseases.
July
Venus and Serena Williams became the first sisters to win Wimbledon's tennis doubles title.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire sold faster than any other book in history!
August
Families split apart by the Korean War in the 1950s were briefly and tearfully reunited. It was a sign of improving relations between North and South Korea. These sisters were among the 200 people permitted to visit with loved ones they hadn't seen in a half-century.
Democrats meeting at the party's convention in Los Angeles, California, named Al Gore and Joseph Lieberman as their ticket for President and Vice President. Earlier in the month, Republicans chose George Bush and Dick Cheney at their convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September
Runner Cathy Freeman lit the flame, and the Games began. For two weeks, the feats of Olympic athletes in Sydney, Australia, dazzled the world.
The worst fires in decades swept through the Western states. Thousands of acres went up in flames. The cost of fighting the fires set a U.S. record.
October
Hopes for peace between Israelis and Palestinians were shattered by the worst outbreak of violence in 30 years. Thousands were injured, and more than 100 were killed. Peace talks in the U.S. in July had raised hopes that the 50-year-old conflict would be resolved.
Thousands protested in the streets of Yugoslavia to persuade the country's longtime ruler, Slobodan Milosevic, to step down. Milosevic had lost an election to Vojislav Kostunica on September 24. Kostunica finally became President on October 7, promising democratic rule.
November
Hillary Clinton won her race to serve as a U.S. Senator from New York. She is the first First Lady ever elected to public office! At least her contest had a winner. The presidential race was so close that some newspapers had to be reprinted to correct their morning headlines.
December
George W. Bush met with foreign affairs expert Condoleezza Rice. If he wins, she may work in the White House.
U.S. astronauts attached two solar wings to the International Space Station. The station, which should be complete by 2006, got its first live-in crew in November.