The most important events during the 2000s were the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Iraq War, and the election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, were a series of four coordinated attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda against the United States. The attacks killed 2,996 people, injured over 6,000 others, and caused at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage.
The Iraq War was a protracted armed conflict that began in 2003 with the invasion of Iraq by a coalition of forces led by the United States under the administration of President George W. Bush. The war continued for much of the decade and resulted in the death of over 4,400 U.S. soldiers, the wounding of over 32,000 others, and the death of tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians. The election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States in 2008 was a watershed moment in American history. Obama, a Democrat and the first African American to be elected to the nation's highest office, defeated Republican nominee John McCain in a historic victory. Obama would go on to serve two terms as president, overseeing the end of the Iraq War, the passage of the Affordable Care Act, and the legalization of same-sex marriage.
In Asia
Here are some of the most important events that took place in Asia during the 2000s:
1. The 2003 SARS outbreak originated in Asia and quickly spread to other parts of the world. The outbreak had a devastating impact on the economies of many Asian countries.
2. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was one of the deadliest natural disasters in history. The tsunami killed over 230,000 people in 14 countries, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand.
3. In 2005, a massive earthquake struck Pakistan, killing over 73,000 people and injuring another 3.5 million. The earthquake was one of the deadliest natural disasters in Pakistan’s history.
4. Nepal held its first democratic elections in 2008 after years of political turmoil. The elections were a major step forward for Nepal’s transition to democracy.
5. In 2009, North Korea conducted its second nuclear test, further heightening tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
6. The 2010s started with a bang in Asia with the eruption of Mount Merapi in Indonesia. The eruption killed over 350 people and caused widespread damage.
7. In 2011, a massive earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, causing a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The disaster killed over 15,000 people and caused widespread damage.
8. In 2012, Myanmar held its first democratic elections in over 50 years. The elections marked a major step forward in Myanmar’s transition to democracy.
9. In 2013, China’s new leader, Xi Jinping, launched a major anti-corruption campaign that has ensnared many high-ranking officials. The campaign is ongoing and has seen a number of high-profile arrests.