2001

2001 was a major year in US history. Politically, the world was thrown into unrest with the terrorist attacks of 9/11. I myself was in lower Manhattan on that day & like most other New Yorkers I watched in horror as our city was attacked and the turmoil of the days after as many people searched and mourned for their lost loved ones. It was a very sad time for the greatest city in the world (yes-I said it!) and for all Americans as we felt our safety violated for the first time on US soil in a very long time. However, the nation showed its strength as we pulled together and took a stand against terrorists, with new president George W. Bush taking the reigns.
Oddly enough, as a large part of the rest of the world seemed caught up in a new war and terrorist attacks, Northern Ireland took major leaps towards peace as the IRA announced it had started to dismantle its arsenal.
Our federal debt was under 6 billion (Remember the good old days when it wasn't in the trillions???)
In sports, Baltimore took the Giants in the Super Bowl & Arizona beat out the Yankees in the World Series...not a great year for New York in general. :(
America's Sweetheart Julia Roberts finally took home the Oscar for Erin Brockovich, after getting robbed for Pretty Woman (in my humble opinion).
The West Wing & the lovely ladies of Sex in the City dominated the Emmys & Harry Potter started it's cult following in film that year, taking in an unprecedented 93.5 million in the box office. (I still have not seen that film...I don't know why but wizards and children really creep me out...)
While the usual music makers dominated the charts, including Jay Z, JLO, Britt Britt, and Blink 182, Bob Dylan made a surprising re-appearance in 2001 with his album Love & Theft.
In science, cloning, stem cell research, and artificial organs were all the rage, causing both controversy & major medical breakthroughs. The first successful artificial heart was even used!
RIP George Harrison & Dale Earnhardt...two beloved celebs that are still sorely missed.
All in all, 2001 was a HUGE year, with many events that ended up changing history in a BIG way. Where would we be in 2012, if not for the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center that launched us into the War on Terrorism?