Top 10: Biggest News Stories of the Decade (00s)
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As the world grows older, mankind continues to grow and change with it. We record our history not only as a traditional way to remember our success over the years, but also as a way to learn from our mistakes and to remind future generations that while recovering from tragedies and pushing forward may be hard, it isn’t impossible. However, the news doesn’t only report tragedies; great triumphs have been accomplished over time.
Over the last 10 years, there have been many news stories that have opened the flood gates of the media on a worldwide level. Some of these stories made us beam with pride, whereas others spread a layer of grief so thick that we wondered how the world could ever be the same. Yet through it all humanity, and the world as a whole, has continued to push on with seemingly unbreakable strength and compassion. As a tribute to mankind’s triumphs, and also a reminder of our failures, we present to you the Top 10 News Stories of the Noughties.
The September 11 Attacks (2001)
A highly coordinated terrorist attack on the United States shook the world and galvanized free people everywhere. The images and fall out of the biggest terrorist attack in history left people numb. To this day “where were you on 911” is a question that crops up often and will be long before it is forgotten.
Indian Ocean Earth Quake & Tsunami (2004)
The second highest magnitude earth quake ever spawned a series of tsunami that killed an estimated 230,000 people. This earthquake was so massive seismographs around the world registered its after affects. Other earthquakes where triggered as far away as Alaska.
The War and Occupation of Iraq (2003-?)
On March 20, 2003, Operation Iraqi Freedom was set in motion as US military forces pushed into Iraq in, as they claimed, search for nuclear weapons, and to depose leader Saddam Hussein. Despite the result of UN investigations led by Hans Blix, president Bush seemed fixed on bringing down any “evil doers” and “freedom haters” who in his eyes were to pay for the nine elevel attacks two years earlier. Finally Saddam was captured and hung in the name of Hypo(Demo)cracy. Military forces from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and 30 other countries invaded Iraq. Twenty-eight of these countries are still there in an ongoing effort to help stabilize the country’s new government.
Y2k (2000)
The months leading up to 2000 were fraught with internet news stories about the impeding apocalypse. Y2K was feared to cause the launch of nuclear missiles, crash the economy world-wide and break into your home and steal all your silverware and video games. Even after December 31, 1999, we were still hearing sighs of relief in the news media for months.
Hurricane Katrina (2005)
When Katrina hit the coast of New Orleans the damage was horrific and the aftermath was even worse. When levies burst and flooded the Gulf town, the world watched in sympathy. The way the aftermath was handled by FEMA and the US Government led the world to shake its head in horror. This event proved even a highly industrialized country is prone to nature’s fury and man’s mistakes.
Birds, Swine, Cows and SARS
The noughties saw more disease than France in the 1800s. One couldn’t go outside without being told to watch out for something named after an animal or with a name so complicated it just had letters. Bird flu, Swine Flu, Mad Cow Disease and SARS made a lot of people don surgical masks when going out in public. For some women it meant less time in front of the makeup mirror though.
Barack Obama Elected as President of the United States of America
It was only a matter of time before someone of at least partial African decent was elected President. Barak Obama ran on the ideal of change, something that he himself embodied just by being elected. The status quo unfortunately is still the status quo. Americans might have been ready for a black president, but the government is obviously not ready to change its color at all.
Michael Jackson Dies (2009)
On June 25, 2009 Michael Jackson was pronounced dead at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Jackson’s death was caused by prescription drug related cardiac arrest. The singer was 51 years old. Jackson was best known for his Album “Thriller” and being the inventor of the Moonwalk.
School shootings (2000-2009)
School shootings continued into the noughties causing more alarm and more emphasis on eliminating school bullying. This also put wood on the fire for gun control. Gun control in the US has always been a big issue and will continue to be so. As long as there is a debate no one has to get hurt.
- Buell Elementary School shooting (2000)
- Lake Worth Middle School shooting (2000)
- University of Arkansas shooting (2000)
- Santana High School shooting (2001)
- Granite Hills High School shooting (2001)
- Martin Luther King, Jr. High School shooting (2002)
- Appalachian School of Law shooting (2002)
- John McDonogh High School shooting (2003)
- Red Lion Area Junior High School shootings (2003)
- Case Western Reserve University shooting (2003)
- Rocori High School shooting (2003)
- Columbia High School shooting (2004)
- Fairleigh Dickinson University shooting (2004)
- Red Lake Senior High School massacre (2005)
- Campbell County High School shooting (2005)
- Pine Middle School shooting (2006)
- Essex Elementary School shooting (2006)
- Orange High School shooting (2006)
- Platte Canyon High School shooting (2006)
- Weston High School shooting (2006)
- Amish school shooting (2006)
- Henry Foss High School shooting (2007)
- University of Washington shooting (2007)
- Virginia Tech massacre (2007)
- Delaware State University shooting (2007)
- SuccessTech Academy shooting (2007)
- Louisiana Technical College shooting (2008)
- Mitchell High School shooting (2008)
- E.O. Green School shooting (2008)
- Northern Illinois University massacre (2008)
- Davidson High School Shooting (2008)
- Central High School shooting (2008)
- Henry Ford High School shooting (2008)
- 2008 University of Central Arkansas shootings (2008)
- Dillard High School shooting (2008)
- Henry Ford Community College shooting (2009)
- Hampton University shooting (2009)
- Larose-Cut Off Middle School shooting (2009)
- Skyline College shooting (2009)
- Deer Valley High School shooting (2009)
List from Wikipedia.org
US Health Care Debate (2009)
The US debate over healthcare and how to make it work best continues. This has been such a sticking point and there has been so much confusion over the issue even the international community is staring in wonder and awe of how something so simple can become something so convoluted.
