September 11 attacks (2001)
Terrorist attacks in the United States killed nearly 3,000 people and profoundly changed security policy, foreign affairs and daily life.
01
OVERVIEW
Digital Boom and Global Challenges
The 2000s opened with the Y2K scare fading away, but the September 11 attacks in 2001 quickly reshaped global politics, security and foreign policy.
Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq became defining political events, while terrorism and expanded security measures affected travel, government policy and public debate.
At the same time, technology moved rapidly into daily life. Broadband replaced dial-up for many households, portable digital music became mainstream, camera phones improved and social networking turned online identity into an everyday habit.
The launch of the iPhone in 2007 pointed toward a new smartphone era in which internet access, media, messaging and software would increasingly live on a touchscreen device.
Climate change gained wider political and public attention, while disasters such as the Indian Ocean tsunami and Hurricane Katrina exposed the vulnerability of cities and coastal communities.
Popular culture became more participatory. Reality television flourished, blogs multiplied, viral videos spread through the web and online fandoms connected people across national borders.
The decade ended with the global financial crisis and Great Recession, interrupting years of credit expansion, housing growth and consumer confidence.
02 / EVENTS
A decade of shocks, wars and global change
War in Afghanistan begins (2001)
The United States and allies launched military operations after the September 11 attacks, beginning a conflict that continued far beyond the decade.
Iraq War begins (2003)
A U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq and overthrew Saddam Hussein, followed by years of occupation, insurgency and political instability.
Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami (2004)
A massive undersea earthquake triggered a tsunami that devastated communities across South and Southeast Asia.
Hurricane Katrina (2005)
The storm and catastrophic flooding caused widespread destruction along the U.S. Gulf Coast, especially in New Orleans.
Global financial crisis (2008)
Housing-market collapse and failures across the financial system triggered a severe international recession.
Barack Obama elected U.S. president (2008)
Obama became the first African American elected to the U.S. presidency.
H1N1 influenza pandemic (2009)
A new strain of influenza spread internationally and led to a coordinated global public-health response.
European Union expansion
Major enlargements in 2004 and 2007 brought twelve additional countries into the European Union.
Human Genome Project completed (2003)
Researchers announced completion of the international effort to map and sequence the human genome.
Mars Exploration Rovers (2003–2004)
Spirit and Opportunity were launched in 2003 and landed on Mars in 2004 to study the planet’s geology.
London bombings (2005)
Coordinated attacks on London public transport killed 52 victims and injured hundreds.
Pope John Paul II dies (2005)
The death of the long-serving pope drew enormous crowds to Rome and global attention to the papal succession.
Saddam Hussein executed (2006)
The former Iraqi president was executed after conviction by the Iraqi High Tribunal.
Virginia Tech shooting (2007)
The campus shooting in Blacksburg, Virginia, killed 32 victims and intensified debate over gun violence and campus safety.
Beijing Summer Olympics (2008)
China hosted the Summer Olympic Games in a globally watched display of sport, infrastructure and national ambition.
Mumbai attacks (2008)
Coordinated attacks across Mumbai targeted hotels, a railway station and other locations over several days.
Assassination of Benazir Bhutto (2007)
Pakistan’s former prime minister was killed during an election campaign rally in Rawalpindi.
Kosovo declares independence (2008)
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia, a step recognized by many countries but contested by others.
Russo-Georgian War (2008)
Russia and Georgia fought a brief war centered on South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
03 / TECHNOLOGY
Everything becomes portable, searchable and shareable.
Many technologies associated with the 2000s existed earlier, but this was the decade when digital music, broadband, social networking, GPS, video sharing and touchscreen mobile computing reached huge consumer audiences.
01
iPod (2001)
Apple’s portable music player made large digital music libraries easy to carry and helped reshape listening habits.
02
USB flash drive
Small solid-state storage devices became a convenient replacement for floppy disks and other portable media.
03
Camera phone
Mobile phones with built-in cameras spread rapidly and changed casual photography, messaging and news gathering.
04
Wikipedia (2001)
The collaborative online encyclopedia made large-scale user-edited reference publishing a mainstream internet phenomenon.
05
Roomba (2002)
The robotic vacuum brought autonomous household cleaning into the consumer market.
06
Skype (2003)
Internet calling and video chat made long-distance communication cheaper and more accessible.
07
Facebook (2004)
The social network expanded from a college service into a major platform for online identity and communication.
08
YouTube (2005)
Easy video uploading and sharing transformed online entertainment, news and creator culture.
09
Twitter (2006)
Short public posts and real-time updates created a new style of online conversation.
10
iPhone (2007)
The touchscreen smartphone combined phone, music, web browsing and apps in a highly influential mobile format.
11
Kindle (2007)
Amazon’s e-reader helped push digital books into the mainstream.
12
Android (2008)
Google’s mobile operating system created a widely adopted platform for touchscreen smartphones.
13
Airbnb (2008)
The online lodging marketplace helped expand peer-to-peer travel and short-term rentals.
14
Bitcoin (2009)
The decentralized digital currency introduced a blockchain-based system for transferring value without a central issuer.
15
Blu-ray
The high-capacity optical format became a major carrier for high-definition home video.
16
Multi-touch interfaces
Touchscreens capable of recognizing multiple fingers made gestures such as pinch-to-zoom familiar to millions of users.
17
Consumer GPS navigation
Dashboard and handheld navigation devices made turn-by-turn satellite directions common in everyday driving.
18
Hybrid cars
Models such as the Toyota Prius helped move gasoline-electric powertrains into mainstream public awareness.
19
Web 2.0 services
Interactive websites increasingly centered on profiles, comments, sharing, tagging and user-created content.
20
Broadband internet
Faster always-on connections replaced dial-up for many households and made streaming, social media and large downloads practical.
04 / CULTURE
Profiles, blogs, reality TV and viral everything
The web stops being a place you visit and starts becoming a place where you live.01
Reality television boom
Shows built around competitions, celebrities and unscripted situations became a dominant television format.
02
Emo subculture
Emotional punk-influenced music, dark fashion and highly personal lyrics developed a large youth following.
03
Hipster culture
Urban scenes embraced independent music, vintage clothing, bicycles, coffee culture and deliberately alternative tastes.
04
Text-message language
Abbreviations, emoticons and compressed phrases became part of everyday mobile communication.
05
Blogging
Personal journals and independent commentary became important forms of online publishing.
06
Early selfie culture
Compact digital cameras, webcams and social profiles encouraged casual self-portraits before smartphones made them universal.
07
Harry Potter phenomenon
The books and films became a global cultural force across publishing, cinema, merchandise and fandom.
08
Superhero movie revival
Comic-book adaptations grew into major mainstream film franchises.
09
Metrosexual style
Media discussions focused on men’s fashion, grooming and consumer habits in new ways.
10
Sudoku craze
The number puzzle became an international newspaper and book phenomenon.
11
Flash mobs
Groups organized online to gather briefly in public for coordinated performances or unexpected events.
12
Viral videos
Short clips spread rapidly through email, forums and video-sharing sites.
13
Poker boom
Televised tournaments and online poker made Texas Hold’em a mainstream entertainment trend.
14
Retro fashion
Styles from the 1980s and 1990s returned through denim, sneakers, vintage T-shirts and accessories.
15
Anime and manga globalization
Japanese animation and comics reached much larger international audiences.
16
Online personalities
Bloggers, video creators and social-media figures began shaping tastes and buying decisions.
17
Extreme sports
Skateboarding, BMX, snowboarding and other action sports gained greater media visibility.
18
Coffee-shop culture
Large chains and independent cafés became everyday spaces for meeting, studying and working.
19
LGBTQ+ visibility
Television, film, music and public debate featured more openly LGBTQ+ people and stories.
20
Foodie culture
Restaurant discovery, celebrity chefs, cooking television and online reviews turned food into a major lifestyle interest.
05
AMERICA
Cities adapting to a faster, more digital economy
New York City
The city faced the trauma and rebuilding that followed the September 11 attacks while finance, media and culture continued evolving.
New Orleans
Hurricane Katrina and the failure of flood protections devastated the city in 2005 and shaped a long recovery.
Las Vegas
Mega-resorts, nightlife and large-scale entertainment continued transforming the Strip.
Seattle
Technology companies, coffee culture and a strong creative economy helped define the city’s 2000s identity.
Miami
Real-estate growth, nightlife, Latin American culture and art transformed the city’s global profile.
San Francisco
After the dot-com crash, new social-media and Web 2.0 companies helped launch another technology boom.
Washington, D.C.
The city reflected the decade’s wars, security measures, political polarization and expanding federal activity.
Los Angeles
Film, television, music and new digital media adapted to internet distribution and changing audiences.
Chicago
Downtown redevelopment, architecture and public-space projects continued reshaping the city.
Boston
Biotechnology, universities and completion of major phases of the Big Dig influenced the local economy and cityscape.
Atlanta
Rapid metropolitan growth, logistics, media and a major airport strengthened the city’s role as a southeastern hub.
Phoenix
A housing boom and rapid Sun Belt migration expanded the metropolitan area before the financial crisis.
Detroit
Automobile-industry restructuring and the 2008–2009 downturn intensified long-running economic challenges.
Houston
Energy, medicine and immigration supported growth and increasing cultural diversity.
Nashville
Country music, healthcare and tourism broadened the city’s economic and cultural reach.
Portland
Cycling, sustainability, independent businesses and alternative culture strengthened the city’s national image.
Austin
Technology, live music and the 'Keep Austin Weird' identity fueled rapid growth.
Denver
Outdoor recreation, population growth and redevelopment helped expand the city’s appeal.
Orlando
Theme-park expansions and international tourism kept the metropolitan area growing.
Minneapolis
Downtown redevelopment, arts institutions and a diverse regional economy supported urban renewal.
06 / FASHION
Denim gets lower, screens get smaller, logos get louder.
Early-2000s fashion mixed celebrity glamour, mall culture, surf references, punk and emo details, while the second half of the decade moved toward skinny jeans, indie looks and more streamlined silhouettes.
01
Low-rise jeans
Hip-hugging denim became one of the decade’s most recognizable early-2000s silhouettes.
02
Sheepskin boots
Soft, bulky boots became a widely copied casual winter style.
03
Trucker hats
Mesh-backed caps crossed from workwear and advertising into celebrity fashion.
04
Velour tracksuits
Bright matching loungewear became a signature look of celebrity street style.
05
Skinny jeans
Slim denim gained momentum in the second half of the decade through indie and rock-influenced fashion.
06
Crop tops
Midriff-baring tops remained a major part of pop and casual fashion.
07
Cargo pants
Large pockets and utilitarian styling carried over from late-1990s streetwear.
08
Platform flip-flops
Thick-soled sandals became a familiar warm-weather look.
09
Popped collars
Layered polo shirts with raised collars became associated with preppy casual style.
10
Bootcut jeans
Slightly flared denim paired easily with sneakers, heels and boots.
11
Logo trucker caps
Highly visible branded hats became part of celebrity-driven casual fashion.
12
Charm bracelets
Personalized jewelry returned through collectible charms and decorative pendants.
13
Studded belts
Punk and emo styling pushed metal-studded accessories into the mainstream.
14
Capri pants
Calf-length trousers remained popular for casual women’s outfits.
15
Frosted tips
Bleached hair ends continued as a recognizable early-decade men’s hairstyle.
16
Chunky highlights
High-contrast hair color created a deliberately bold salon look.
17
Bandana accessories
Printed squares were worn as headbands, neckwear and casual styling pieces.
18
Layered tank tops
Multiple fitted tops in contrasting colors were often worn together.
19
Puka shell necklaces
Beach-inspired shell jewelry became part of surf and teen style.
20
Oversized sunglasses
Large tinted frames became closely associated with celebrity and nightlife fashion.
07 / MOVIES
Now playing: the blockbuster goes digital
The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003)
Peter Jackson’s fantasy trilogy combined large-scale location work, visual effects and motion capture.
Avatar (2009)
James Cameron’s science-fiction spectacle pushed 3D exhibition and digital visual effects into the mainstream.
The Dark Knight (2008)
The superhero crime thriller brought a darker tone and extraordinary box-office success to comic-book cinema.
Gladiator (2000)
Ridley Scott’s Roman epic helped revive large-scale historical adventure films.
Spirited Away (2001)
Hayao Miyazaki’s animated fantasy became an international critical and commercial success.
The Bourne Identity (2002)
The spy thriller launched a franchise known for its stripped-down action and modern espionage tone.
Finding Nemo (2003)
Pixar’s underwater adventure paired computer animation with a family story about loss and trust.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
The romantic drama used memory erasure to explore love, regret and identity.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
The romantic drama brought a same-sex love story to a large mainstream cinema audience.
The Departed (2006)
Martin Scorsese’s Boston crime film won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
There Will Be Blood (2007)
Paul Thomas Anderson’s oil-boom drama explored ambition, faith and power.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
The Mumbai-set drama became a global hit and won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Memento (2000)
Christopher Nolan’s nonlinear thriller used fragmented chronology to mirror memory loss.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Ang Lee’s wuxia epic brought martial-arts fantasy to a large international audience.
The Pianist (2002)
Roman Polanski’s Holocaust drama followed a Polish Jewish musician surviving occupied Warsaw.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Sofia Coppola’s Tokyo-set film explored loneliness, connection and cultural displacement.
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Clint Eastwood’s boxing drama became a major awards success.
V for Vendetta (2005)
The dystopian thriller combined political rebellion, masked symbolism and comic-book adaptation.
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Guillermo del Toro blended dark fantasy with the violence of Francoist Spain.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
The Coen brothers’ neo-western crime film won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
08 / MUSIC
20 tracks from the download decade
MP3 · CD · RADIO · DOWNLOAD · STREAMING BEGINSiPod and iTunes
Digital libraries and legal downloads changed how listeners bought, organized and carried music.
Britney Spears — Oops!... I Did It Again
The album and title track captured the scale of early-2000s teen pop.
Eminem — The Marshall Mathers LP
The bestselling rap album intensified debates around celebrity, provocation and hip-hop culture.
Outkast — Hey Ya!
The genre-blending hit became one of the decade’s most recognizable crossover singles.
Amy Winehouse — Back to Black
The album fused modern songwriting with soul and girl-group influences.
Gorillaz
The virtual band mixed animation, hip-hop, rock and electronic music into a distinctive multimedia identity.
The Strokes — Is This It
The album became central to the early-2000s garage-rock revival.
Beyoncé — Crazy in Love
The hit established Beyoncé’s solo career with a powerful blend of R&B, pop and hip-hop.
Kanye West — The College Dropout
The debut album broadened mainstream hip-hop through soul sampling, humor and personal themes.
Gnarls Barkley — Crazy
The crossover single blended soul, electronic textures and alternative pop.
Arctic Monkeys
The band’s rise showed how online sharing could build an audience before a major album release.
Rihanna — Umbrella
The 2007 hit became a defining global pop and R&B single.
The White Stripes — Seven Nation Army
Its instantly recognizable guitar riff became one of the decade’s enduring rock hooks.
Daft Punk — One More Time
French house reached mainstream audiences through bright electronic dance music.
Alicia Keys — Fallin'
The piano-led single introduced a major new R&B voice.
Justin Timberlake — SexyBack
The single pushed polished pop toward harder electronic rhythms.
Green Day — American Idiot
The punk-rock concept album became a major commercial and political-cultural event.
Missy Elliott — Get Ur Freak On
The track combined unusual rhythms, futuristic sound design and commanding rap performance.
Coldplay — Clocks
The piano-driven song became a staple of 2000s alternative rock radio.
Lady Gaga — Just Dance
The late-decade hit helped usher glossy electropop into the next era of mainstream pop.
09 / CARS
Hybrids, retro revivals, giant SUVs and electric beginnings
01
Toyota Prius
The hybrid hatchback became a global symbol of fuel efficiency and lower-emission driving.
02
Mini Cooper
BMW’s revival of the British icon blended retro design with modern compact-car engineering.
03
Audi TT
The rounded coupe remained one of the decade’s most recognizable design-led sports cars.
04
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Retro styling and practical packaging made the unusual compact a major early-decade success.
05
Hummer H2
The oversized SUV became a symbol of the era’s taste for large, highly visible vehicles.
06
Tesla Roadster
The electric sports car demonstrated that battery-powered vehicles could deliver serious performance.
07
Bugatti Veyron
Extreme power and speed made the hypercar a symbol of engineering excess.
08
Smart Fortwo
The ultra-short city car emphasized efficiency and easy urban parking.
09
Nissan GT-R
Advanced all-wheel drive and turbocharged performance made the Japanese coupe a global benchmark.
10
Range Rover Sport
Luxury, performance and SUV capability converged in a highly visible premium model.
11
Mazda RX-8
The rotary-powered four-door sports coupe offered an unconventional approach to performance.
12
Ford Mustang
The fifth-generation model revived styling cues from the classic 1960s Mustang.
13
Porsche Cayenne
Porsche’s first SUV helped redefine expectations for performance luxury vehicles.
14
Honda Element
The boxy compact SUV emphasized flexible interior space and an active-lifestyle image.
15
Cadillac CTS
Sharp styling and rear-wheel drive helped reposition Cadillac for a younger luxury audience.
16
Volkswagen New Beetle
The retro-inspired compact remained a familiar symbol of turn-of-the-century nostalgia.
17
Ferrari Enzo
The limited-run supercar incorporated Formula One-inspired technology and dramatic bodywork.
18
Dodge Challenger
The revived muscle car returned late in the decade with styling inspired by its 1970 predecessor.
19
Lexus LS 430
The luxury sedan combined quietness, electronics and high levels of comfort.
20
Subaru Impreza WRX
Turbocharged power and rally heritage made the compact sedan a favorite among enthusiasts.
00s
10 / LEGACY
Why the 2000s still feel like the start of the present
The 2000s changed the architecture of everyday life. Search, social networking, online video, digital music and broadband made the internet central to communication and entertainment.
The decade also established the smartphone as a new kind of personal computer and helped create the platform economy that would dominate the 2010s.
Its political and economic legacy was equally powerful: the September 11 attacks, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, expanding security systems and the Great Recession shaped public life well beyond 2009.
11 / FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2000s
What were the 2000s known for?
The decade is remembered for the September 11 attacks, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Great Recession, broadband internet, social media, smartphones, reality television and major changes in digital entertainment.
How did the internet change everyday life in the 2000s?
Broadband, search engines, blogs, social networks, video sharing and online shopping made the internet an everyday social, commercial and entertainment space.
What technology defined the 2000s?
Portable digital music, camera phones, USB storage, social media, video sharing, GPS navigation, smartphones and faster broadband connections all reshaped daily routines.
What music defined the 2000s?
Hip-hop, R&B, teen pop, indie rock, emo, garage rock, electronic dance music and digital-download culture all played major roles.
What did people wear in the 2000s?
Low-rise and bootcut jeans, velour tracksuits, trucker hats, cargo pants, layered tops, oversized sunglasses and later skinny jeans were all strongly associated with the decade.
Why do the 2000s still matter?
The decade moved social life, media, shopping, music and communication onto digital platforms and established many of the habits that define smartphone-era culture.