These things happened in the year 2000:
After massive media hype, the Y2K disaster failed to happen. Various officials call for investigation into misappropriation and fraud in the wake of massive "compliance" and preparation spending.
Politics:
Entertainment:
Business/Technology:
- AOL proposes a merger with Time-Warner, the largest merger in American history.
- EMI and Time-Warner announce a merger to create the world's largest music company.
- Bill Gates resigns as CEO of Microsoft amid antitrust proceedings. Judge Patel later orders the breakup of the company.
- Denial of service attacks cripple large internet sites including Amazon, eBay, and Yahoo. Later, 15-year-old Canadian "Mafiaboy" is arrested for them.
- Japanese scientists announce the successful birth of Xena, the first cloned pig.
- Lawsuits are launched against controversial the music-sharing network Napster, with plaintiffs including the members of the RIAA. An injunction to shut it down is quickly stayed while the lawsuit drags on.
- 6.5 million defective Firestone SUV tires are recalled, prone to blowing out at high speeds and causing deadly accidents
- Astronomers locate many more extrasolar planets
Disasters:
Died:
- Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister
- John Morris Rankin, January 16, Celtic musician
- Sandra Schmirler, March 2, Olympic curler
- Maurice "Rocket" Richard, Canadian hockey legend
- Benjamin Harrison Holcomb, December 4, world's oldest man, 111.
- Sir Alec Guinness, August 5, age 86, British actor, famous for his many roles including Obiwan Kenobi of Star Wars