30 Major Historical Events That Happened Between 2000 and 2020

Osama bin Laden. Photo by Hamid Mir. Wikimedia Commons

30 Major Historical Events That Happened Between 2000 and 2020

*Originally published by John K in December 2022 and Updated by Vanessa R. in May 2024

Over the past 20 years, there have been several significant worldwide events that have significantly influenced people’s decisions on many aspects of their lives.

Everything from economic upheaval to globally shattering events forced people to reconsider their outlook on life, their holiday destinations, and their travel methods.

The September 11, 2011   terrorist strike  in New York at the start of the century had a profound impact on tourism and air travel and shocked the entire world.

The September 11 attacks were largely provoked by Osama bin Laden, the leader of the militant Islamic organization al-Qaeda, who held naïve beliefs about the United States.

Sadly, assaults continued to occur all across the world in the years that followed, from Mumbai to London to Africa.

Financial collapses and political upheaval have also occurred during the past 20 years, contributing to the uncertainty of life and also dimmed growth of the  global economy among others.

The 30 major historical events that happened between 2000 and 2020 are discussed here below.

1. The Al-Aqsa Intifada of Early 2000’s

Israel Defense Forces. Photo by Israel Defense Forces. Wikimedia Commons

The Al-Aqsa Intifada was a significant Palestinian revolt against Israel which was also known as the Second Intifada and it happened in the early 2000’s .

According to speculation, the collapse of the 2000 Camp David Summit, which was supposed to result in a final deal on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, served as the primary catalyst for the unrest.

After Ariel Sharon, the Israeli opposition leader at the time, made a provocative trip to Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, outbreaks of violence started in September 2000.

The visit itself was peaceful, but as expected, it led to rioting and protests. Both civilians and combatants suffered significant numbers of casualties.

While Palestinians carried out suicide bombings, gunfire, stone-throwing, and rocket strikes, Israeli forces participated in targeted killings, tank and aerial attacks.

Contrary to the First Intifada’s relatively less violent nature, Palestinian suicide bombings were a key aspect of the battle and primarily targeted Israeli civilians.

The violence is thought to have claimed the lives of some 3,000 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis, as well as 64 foreigners, in total, including both combatants and civilians.

Many believe that the Second Intifada came to an end with the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit in 2005.

2. The Gujarat Earthquake of 2001

Destroyed Old Bhuj Temple. Photo by AroundTheGlobe. Wikimedia Commons

The Bhuj earthquake, commonly known as the Gujarat earthquake of 2001, struck at 8:46 IST on January 26, the 52nd Republic Day of India.

In Gujarat, India’s Kutch District, Bhachau Taluka, the epicentre of the earthquake was located around 9 km south-southwest of the village of Chobari.

At a depth of 17.4 km, the intraplate earthquake had a moment magnitude of 7.6, according to the moment magnitude scale.

On the Mercalli intensity scale, it had a maximum felt intensity of X, or Extreme.

The earthquake caused between 13,805 and 20,023 fatalities, including 18 in southeast Pakistan, 167,000 injuries, and roughly 340,000 structure destructions.

To read more about this disaster and other similar disasters in India click here

3. The New York City Attacks on September 11, 2001

Twin Towers Attack. Photo by National Park Service. Wikimedia Commons

The September 11 attacks, or 9/11, were four coordinated suicide terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, carried out by al-Qaeda.

Four commercial aircrafts set to fly from the North-eastern United States to California were hijacked by 19 terrorists that morning.

The first two aircraft were crashed into the World Trade Centre Twin Towers in New York City by the hijackers.

The third hijacked jet was slammed into the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, the seat of the US military.

A passenger uprising caused the fourth plane, which was headed for a Washington, D.C., government facility, to crash in a field instead.

The attacks which led to the war on terror resulted in nearly 3,000 fatalities.

To read more about the 9/11 attack click here

4. USA’s Invasion of Afghanistan in 2001

President George W. Bush. Photo by Eric Draper, White House. Wikimedia Commons

After the September 11 attacks, US President George W. Bush ordered that the Taliban hand over Osama bin Laden and expel al-Qaeda.

This was in addition to the fact that since 1998, the FBI had been looking for Osama bin Laden.

As well as rejecting requests to close terrorist bases or extradite other alleged terrorists, the Taliban also refused to extradite bin Laden.

On October 7, 2001, the US and the UK launched Operation Enduring Freedom, which resulted in the overthrow of the Taliban leadership.

Al-Qaeda, which was responsible for the September 11 attacks, was to be destroyed, and by toppling the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, it was to be denied a secure base of operations there.

The United Kingdom was a crucial ally of the US, supporting military action from the beginning of the invasion’s planning stages.

The Taliban had gained control of 80% of Afghanistan by 2001 following the Afghan Civil War’s 1996–2001 period, which pitted them against the Northern Alliance.

The invasion launched the American-led War on Terror and was the starting episode of a 20-year conflict in Afghanistan.

To read more about the Afghanistan war click here

5. The International Criminal Court Was Established in 2002

The International Criminal Court , The Netherlands. Photo by Hypergio. Wikimedia Commons

An international court with a seat in The Hague, the Netherlands, the International Criminal Court (ICC) was created in 2002.

It was the first and only permanent international court with the authority to try people for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression that is considered to be international crimes.

It differs from the International Court of Justice, a United Nations agency that hears disputes between governments.

The ICC has drawn a lot of criticism despite being regarded as a significant step towards justice and as an innovation in international law and human rights.

Governments and civil society have voiced concerns about its authority, including allegations of prejudice, racism, and Eurocentrism.

They have also questioned the fairness of its case selection and trial processes and questioned its efficacy.

6. The Invasion of Iraq in 2003

Invasion of Iraq 2003. Photo by Ahmed1251985. Wikimedia Commons

The Iraq War’s first step was the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which the United States spearheaded.

A joint force of forces from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland entered Iraq during the invasion phase, which lasted slightly over a month and included 26 days of major combat actions.

The invasion phase started on March 19, 2003, by air, then on March 20, 2003, on land.

The capital city of Baghdad was taken by Coalition forces on 9 April 2003, 22 days after the invasion’s opening day, following a six-day battle of Baghdad.

On May 1, 2003, U.S. President George W. Bush proclaimed in his Mission Accomplished speech that “major combat operations” had come to an end.

After that, the first of three succeeding transitional administrations before the first Iraqi parliamentary elections in January 2005 was established: The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA).

Later, American military personnel stayed in Iraq until their departure in 2011.

The read more about the Iraq War click here

7. The 2004’s Earthquake and Tsunami in The Indian Ocean

A village destroyed near the coast of Sumatra. Photo by 2nd Class Philip A. McDaniel. Wikimedia Commons

A series of massive tsunami waves up to 30 meters tall were unleashed by an underwater earthquake on December 26, 2004, causing disaster in the Indian Ocean.

The catastrophe cost an estimated $508 million and affected 14 nations, including Indonesia, Thailand, and India.

It also caused extensive destruction. Many tourists were affected by the tsunami, and many had to postpone their travel plans.

The region has recovered from the events in a stunning way. Visitors to Thailand increased to 13.8 million in 2006 after decreasing to 11.6 million in 2005.

8. The 2006 Guimaras Oil Spill

Guimaras oil spill map. Photo by Jesse Allen, Earth Observatory for NASA. Wikimedia Commons

The MT Solar 1 oil tanker sank off the Philippine beaches of Guimaras and Negros in the Panay Gulf on August 11, 2006, creating what is regarded as the worst oil spill in the nation’s history.

The oil tanker MT Solar 1, which was carrying more than two million gallons of bunker fuel, sank during a severe storm at around midnight.  

The ship sank roughly 20.5 kilometers off the southern coast of Guimaras, spilling 500,000 gallons of oil into the gulf.

Three of Guimaras Island’s five municipalities suffered negative effects from the oil spill, which also reached the coastlines of Iloilo and Negros Occidental.

Mangrove reserves and marine sanctuaries were also negatively impacted.

The Taklong Island National Marine Reserve, a marine sanctuary used as a fish breeding and feeding area, was harmed by the leak.

The blue crab industry in the Negros Occidental municipality of Enrique B. Magalona was also threatened by the oil spill.

The impact may be felt by at least two generations, according to Dr. Jose Ingles, ecoregion coordinator for the World-Wide Fund for Nature in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

He expressed concern that the catastrophe might have harmed the mangroves and reefs, scarring the ecosystem and sharply reducing fish production.

9. The 2007 Assassination of Benazir Bhutto

Benazir Bhutto. Photo by Ministerio de la Presidencia. Gobierno de España (Pool Moncloa). Wikimedia Commons

Benazir Bhutto was assassinated on December 27, 2007, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Benazir Bhutto was the opposition leader at the time and served as Pakistan’s prime minister twice (1988–1990 and 1993–1996).

The Pakistan Peoples Party had been running a campaign in advance of the January 2008 elections.

After a political protest at Liaqat National Bagh, shots were fired at her, and shortly after the shooting, a suicide bomber blew himself up.

She was pronounced dead at Rawalpindi General Hospital at 18:16 local time. The bombing also claimed the lives of 23 more people.

After returning from exile two months earlier, Bhutto had previously survived a similar attempt on her life during the 2007 Karsaz bombing that left at least 180 people dead.

The Pakistani Election Commission delayed the general elections by one month as a result of the terrible incident, which resulted in a victory for Bhutto’s party.

To learn more about Benazir Bhutto click this link

10. The 2007–2008 Financial Crisis

Cheap credit and loose lending rules, which created a housing bubble, were the root causes of the financial crisis of 2007/2008.

The banks were left with trillions of dollars’ worth of worthless investments in subprime mortgages after the bubble burst.

Following the Great Recession, many people lost their homes, savings, and jobs.

Many markets crashed, and vacationers were on a limited budget. The first week of October 2008 saw the approval of the Wall Street bailout package by the US government.

A large government purchase of “toxic assets,” a major investment in bank stock, and financial lifelines for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were just a few of the many measures contained in the package.

To read more about the 2007-2008 financial crisis click here 

11. The 2009 Inauguration of America’s First Black President

President-elect Barack Obama. Photo by Pete Souza. Wikimedia Commons

Barack Obama became USA’s first African American president after defeating Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain with 365 electoral votes and 53% of the popular vote.

Obama took office during the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression.

However, in March 2010, he was able to pass a stimulus package and his landmark Affordable Care Act thanks to his party’s majorities in both houses of Congress at the time.

For more about President Barack Obama click here

12. The 2010 Icelandic Ash Cloud

Icelandic Ash Cloud. Photo by David Karnå. Wikimedia Commons

Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull experienced a series of volcanic eruptions in 2010, resulting in an ash cloud that disrupted European air travel.

A large portion of the airspace around Europe was shut down due to concerns that the ash could harm aircraft engines if they attempted to fly through it.

The largest air traffic shutdown since World War II was brought on by the ash cloud.

Following the incident, statistics revealed that over an eight-day period, 107,000 flights were cancelled, affecting about ten million people.

To read more on Icelandic ash volcano and similar events click here

13. The Arab Spring of 2011

ZINE EL ABIDINE BEN ALI. Photo by No mention. Wikimedia Commons

The early 2010s saw the rise of the Arab Spring; a series of anti-government demonstrations, revolutions, and armed rebellions.

It started in Tunisia as a reaction to economic stagnation and corruption.

Five additional nations—Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Syria, and Bahrain—were then affected by the protests that began in Tunisia.

A number of rulers were toppled, including Ali Abdullah Saleh, Muammar Gaddafi, Hosni Mubarak, and Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

There were significant uprisings and instances of social unrest, such as riots, civil wars, or insurrections. Morocco, Iraq, Algeria, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, and Sudan all saw ongoing public protests.

The phrase “the people want to bring down the government” (ash-shab yurd isq an-nim!) was a popular rallying cry among protesters in the Arab world.

The initial wave of revolutions and protests receded by mid-2012, as many Arab Spring rallies were greeted with violent responses by authorities and other pro-government militias including counter-demonstrators.

14. Japan’s 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami

Tohoku earthquake and tsunami damage. Photo by Cp9asngf. Wikimedia Commons

On March 11, 2011, at 14:46 JST, the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami struck the  Japanese region.

The epicenter of the underwater megathrust earthquake, which had a magnitude of 9.0-9.1, was located in the Pacific Ocean; 72 kilometers east of the Oshika Peninsula in the Tōhoku area.

The tsunami was brought on by the six-minute-long earthquake. Among other titles, it is occasionally referred to in Japan as the “Great East Japan Earthquake.”

It was the fourth-strongest earthquake in the globe since the start of modern record-keeping in 1900 and the strongest earthquake ever recorded in Japan.

Strong tsunami waves that may have reached heights of up to 40.5 meters were produced by the earthquake.

According to the official statistics published in 2021, there were 19,759 fatalities, 6,242 injuries, and 2,553 unaccounted-for cases.

To read more about this disaster and other similar in Japan click here

15. Catastrophic Aviation Disasters of 2014

The first aviation disaster was Malaysia Airlines Aircraft 370, a Malaysia Airlines-operated international passenger flight.

On March 8, 2014, the aircraft vanished as it was enroute from Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, China, to Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia.

The loss of Flight 370 was the deadliest occurrence involving a Boeing 777 and the deadliest in Malaysia Airlines’ history at the time with all 227 passengers and 12 crew members presumed dead.

Four months later, on July 17, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down as it was passing over the violent Eastern Ukraine by Russian forces.

The 15 crew members and all 283 passengers perished and thereby became the  deadliest aviation disaster in Malaysia Airlines’ history.

A scheduled international passenger flight operated by Indonesia AirAsia from Surabaya, Java, Indonesia, to Singapore ended in tragedy is the next incident.

All 162 occupants of the Airbus A320 that was traveling the route perished when it crashed into the Java Sea on December 28, 2014.

The next tragedy occurred on July 24, 2014, when Air Algérie Aircraft 5017, a planned international passenger flight from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, to Algiers, Algeria, crashed near Gossi, Mali.

About fifty minutes after takeoff, the McDonnell Douglas MD-83 twinjet, which was being flown by Swiftair for Air Algérie and had 110 passengers and 6 crew members on board, vanished from radar.

No survivors were found.

16. In 2014, Russia Annexed the Ukrainian Peninsula of Crimea

Vladimir Putin. Photo by The Presidential Press and Information Office. Wikimedia Commons

Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, planned the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by taking advantage of the political upheaval in Ukraine.

A number of economic sanctions were imposed against Moscow as a result of the action, which prompted condemnation pleas from world leaders.

As part of its geopolitical efforts to halt NATO development along Russia’s western border, the Russians had long wanted this strategically significant and primarily Russian-speaking region on the Black Sea.

17. The FIFA Corruption Case of 2015

Nicolas Leoz. Photo by Juan Alberto Pérez. Wikimedia Commons

In 2015, the Fédération Internationale de Football association (FIFA), which oversees association football, futsal, and beach soccer, revealed cases of corruption among members of its staff and affiliates.

The corruption allegations involved a probe into wire fraud, racketeering, and money laundering.

Investigations were conducted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division near the end of May 2015, and fourteen individuals were indicted.

The probe focused on collaboration between authorities from South American continental football organizations CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, as well as sports marketing executives.

In conjunction with the inquiry, former CONMEBOL Head Nicolás Leoz and current president of the Cayman Islands Football Association Jeffrey Webb were also arrested, as were two members of the FIFA Executive Committee.

18. The China-US trade War Started in 2018

Donald Trump. Photo by Shealah Craighead. Wikimedia Commons

The People’s Republic of China and the United States of America are engaged in an ongoing economic struggle that started in 2018.

It is known as the China-United States trade war.

In an effort to pressure China into changing what the United States claimed were long-standing unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft, President Donald Trump   imposed tariffs and other trade obstacles on China in January 2018.

According to the Trump administration, the Chinese government demanded the transfer of American technology to China and those activities could have contributed to the trade deficit between the two countries.

China’s government retaliated against US trade sanctions by accusing the Trump administration of acting in a nationalist and protectionist manner.

After the trade conflict intensified through 2019, the two sides came to a difficult phase one deal in January 2020.

However, the deal ended in December 2021, with China failing miserably to meet its targets for American imports into China.

The trade war was mostly regarded as a disaster by the time Trump’s presidency came to an end. Joe Biden, his successor, has maintained the tariffs.

19. Hong Kong Protests in 2019

Residents of Hong Kong, a tiny economic powerhouse that was granted special administrative area status in exchange for being handed over to China from Great Britain, protested an extradition law in March 2019.

Because of worries that China was attempting to weaken Hong Kong’s autonomy, further large-scale protests in Hong Kong occurred throughout the year.

20. The 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic

Covid 19 PPEs. Photo by Ascalon Studios. Wikimedia Commons

SARS-CoV-2, a new coronavirus, is the disease-causing agent which emerged in late 2019.

Initially discovered in Wuhan, China in late 2019, the virus was given the name Covid 19.

Early in 2020, the virus expanded to Europe and the United States, and on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic.

The virus affected nearly every country on the planet, resulting in nationwide lockdowns, enormous layoffs, business closures, and school closures.

More than 820,000 people had died from the pandemic as of August 26, 2020, including roughly 179,000 Americans.

Since the Spanish flu in 1918, Covid-19 has grown to be the worst epidemic.

21. The Bursting of the Dot-Com Bubble (2000-2001)

The rapid growth and subsequent collapse of technology- and internet-based companies in the late 1990s, known as the “dot-com boom,” led to a significant economic downturn.

Many of these companies, which had seen their stock prices soar despite lacking stable business models or profitability, went bankrupt as investors lost confidence in the sector. This bursting of the “dot-com bubble” resulted in widespread job losses and the loss of trillions of dollars in market value, with long-lasting impacts on the technology and investment industries.

22. The US-Led Coalition Invasion of Iraq (2003)

In 2003, the United States, along with a coalition of mostly Western allies, launched a military invasion of Iraq. The Bush administration justified the invasion by claiming that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and had ties to terrorist organisations, although these claims were later proven to be unfounded.

The overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime led to a prolonged occupation and a violent insurgency, sparking widespread international opposition to the war and raising questions about the justification and conduct of the conflict.

23. The Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami (2004)

David Rydevik (email: david.rydevikgmail.com), Stockholm, Sweden., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami (2004): On December 26, 2004, a massive 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, triggering a devastating tsunami that caused widespread destruction and loss of life across 14 countries in the Indian Ocean region.

The tsunami waves reached heights of up to 100 feet and travelled inland for miles, killing over 230,000 people and leaving millions more displaced or affected. This event highlighted the need for improved early warning systems and disaster preparedness in coastal communities, as well as the importance of international cooperation in responding to such catastrophic natural disasters.

24. Hurricane Katrina Strikes the Gulf Coast of the United States (2005)

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina, a powerful Category 3 hurricane, made landfall along the Gulf Coast of the United States, causing catastrophic damage and loss of life, particularly in the city of New Orleans.

The hurricane’s impact exposed weaknesses in the US government’s disaster response and emergency management capabilities, as well as broader issues of socioeconomic and racial inequalities that disproportionately affected vulnerable communities.

The aftermath of Katrina sparked intense scrutiny and criticism of the government’s handling of the crisis, leading to calls for improved disaster preparedness and response strategies.

25. The Arab Spring Uprisings (2010-2012)

Mariam Soliman from Cairo, Egypt, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Beginning in late 2010, a series of pro-democracy protests and rebellions swept across the Middle East and North Africa, challenging the authoritarian regimes that had long dominated the region.

These uprisings, collectively known as the “Arab Spring,” led to the overthrow of several long-standing dictatorships, including in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya.

While the outcomes of the uprisings varied, they represented a significant challenge to the status quo and a grassroots push for more representative and responsive governance in the region.

26. The Eurozone Debt Crisis (2010-2012)

During this period, several European Union member states, particularly Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and Italy, faced a sovereign debt crisis that threatened the stability of the Eurozone.

The crisis was characterised by high levels of government debt, budget deficits, and concerns about the ability of these countries to repay their debts. The Eurozone debt crisis highlighted the need for deeper economic and financial integration within the EU, as well as the implementation of austerity measures and structural reforms to address the underlying economic vulnerabilities.

27. The Occupy Wall Street Movement (2011)

Jorgenev, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This grassroots protest movement, which began in New York City’s Zuccotti Park in September 2011, drew attention to issues of economic inequality, corporate influence, and the perceived unfairness of the financial system.

The Occupy movement sparked similar protests in cities around the world, with demonstrators using the slogan “We are the 99%” to express their frustrations with the concentration of wealth and power among the wealthiest 1% of the population.

The movement’s impact on public discourse and policy debates continues to be debated, but it represented a significant challenge to the status quo and the perceived dominance of corporate interests in the political and economic spheres.

28. The Syrian Civil War and the Refugee Crisis (2011-Present)

The outbreak of a civil war in Syria in 2011, sparked by pro-democracy protests against the authoritarian regime of Bashar al-Assad, has led to a massive humanitarian crisis.

Millions of Syrians have fled the country, seeking refuge in neighbouring regions and Europe, posing significant challenges for the international community in terms of providing humanitarian aid, resettling displaced persons, and addressing the underlying political and security issues driving the conflict. The Syrian civil war has become a complex and protracted crisis, with far-reaching geopolitical implications and a devastating impact on the Syrian people.

29. The Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage in the United States (2015)

In a landmark 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.

This decision effectively legalised same-sex marriage nationwide, overturning previous state-level bans and representing a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights and equality. The ruling was celebrated by LGBTQ+ advocates and allies as a major milestone in the long struggle for marriage equality and civil rights in the United States.

30. The Annexation of Crimea by Russia (2014)

In 2014, Russia’s military intervention and subsequent annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine sparked a major geopolitical crisis and heightened tensions between Russia and the West.

Russia’s actions, which it justified as protecting the interests of ethnic Russians in Crimea, were widely condemned by the international community as a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The annexation of Crimea led to the imposition of economic sanctions on Russia by the United States, the European Union, and other countries, and it had far-reaching consequences for regional stability and the broader relationship between Russia and the West.