From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 21st century
21st century
Millennium:
Millennium: 3rd millennium Pronunciation
Centuries:
Centuries: 20th century · 21st century · 22nd century Regarding pronunciation of 21st-century years, acade-
Decades:
Decades: 2000s 2010s 2020s 2030s 2040s mics suggested that since former years such as 1805 and
2050s 2060s 2070s 2080s 2090s 1905 were commonly pronounced as "eighteen oh" or
"nineteen oh" five, the year 2005 should naturally have
Categories: Births – Deaths
Establishments – Disestablishments
been pronounced as "twenty oh-five".[7] A less common
variation would have been "twenty nought-five". Gen-
The 21st century is the current century of the Anno Domi- erally, the early years of 21st-century were pronounced
ni era or the Common Era in accordance with the Grego- as "two-thousand and five", with a change taking place
rian calendar. The century began on January 1, 2001 and in 2010, where pronunciations often shift between the
will end on December 31, 2100.[1][2][3] The years starting early-year standard of "two-thousand and ten" and the
from 2001 to 2011 are now historical; the years ranging common approach used in the late 20th-century of
from 2012 to 2100 are subject to futurology and predic- "twenty-ten".
tions. As of now, eleven years and 1 month of the 21st The Vancouver Olympics, which took place in 2010,
century has passed. was being officially referred to by Vancouver 2010 as "the
twenty-ten olympics", while 2011[7] and 2013 are popular
as well. The latest timeframes for change are usually
Early 21st century placed at 2020.[7]
(2001–present) According to The Stanley Kubrick archives, in the
press release for his film 2001: A Space Odyssey, film di-
In contemporary history, the 21st century began with the rector Stanley Kubrick included specific instructions for
United States as the sole superpower in the absence of journalists to refer to the movie as "two thousand and
the Soviet Union. As the Cold War was over and terror- one" instead of the commonplace pronunciation of
ism on the rise, exemplified by the September 11, 2001 at- "twenty-oh-one". Kubrick said he did this in the hope
tacks at the World Trade Center in New York City and the that if the film became popular, it would influence the
Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, the United States and its pronunciation of that year.[7]
allies turned their attention to the Middle East and North
Africa.
Transitions & Change
Shanghai becomes a symbol of the recent economic boom of
China.
Digital technology, in its early stages of mainstream
use in the 1980s and 1990s, became widely accepted by
most of the world, though concerns about stress and an-
tisociality from the overuse of mobile phones, the Inter-
net and related technologies remains controversial. [4]
In 2011, nearly 5 billion people globally (about 67% of
the world’s population) used cell phones[5] and about 2 The Digital Revolution continues into the early 21st century.
billion people (about 28% of the world’s population) used Shown: XO, Children’s Machine, OLPC.
the Internet.[6]
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Revolutions of the early 21st century thus far include the The United States subsequently declared a War on
Environmental Revolution and the Revolutions of 2011 Terrorism.
(also known as the Arab Spring) that began in Arab coun-
tries. The Digital Revolution which began around the
1980s also continues into the present. The world popula-
tion begun the century at 6.1 billion and grew to about 7
billion within a decade. Generation Alpha are by far the
only true current 21st century generation, since Genera-
tion Z has their roots at the tail end of the 20th century
in 1991.
Politics & Wars
Genocide still remains a problem in the century with the
concern of the war in Darfur and the growing concern in
Sri Lanka. Low estimates on the deaths in Darfur stand
around 200,000 deaths with 2.5 million in displacement,
there has been much outcry against the perpetrators, the September 11 attacks
Sudanese government, and the very weak international
response. Also controversies from past genocides remain • 2001–present – The U.S. and NATO invaded
commonplace in the minds of victims and average people Afghanistan on October 7, 2001 and overthrew the
alike. Al-Qaeda-supportive Taliban government. Troops
• 1998–2002 – The Second Congo War continued into remained to install a democratic government, fight a
the early 21st century. A 1999 ceasefire quickly broke slowly escalating insurgency, and to hunt for Al
down and a UN peacekeeping mission, MONUC, was Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden who was killed by
unable to control the fighting. Troops from Rwanda American Troops after about 10 years, on May 2,
and Uganda continued to support rebel groups 2011.
against the Democratic Republic of the Congo and • 2002 – The International Criminal Court (ICC) was
rifts also grew between Rwanda and Uganda as they established on July 1.
accused each other of supporting rival rebel groups • 2002 – on the tenth of September Switzerland
as well. Laurent Kabila, president of the DRC, was becomes a member of the United Nations.
assassinated in January 2001 and his son, Joseph • 2002 – on the 27th. of September Timor-Leste
Kabila, took power. Throughout 2002 steps were becomes a member of the United Nations.
made towards peace and Rwanda and Uganda both • 2002 – A series of bombings carried out by Islamic
removed their troops from the country. On militants killed 202 people at the resort of Kuta, Bali,
December 17, 2002, a massive treaty officially ended Indonesia on October 12.
the war. However, the DRC only holds power in less • 2003–present – In February 2003, a conflict in Darfur,
than half of the country, with most of the eastern Sudan began and soon escalated into full-scale war.
and northern portions still controlled by rebel By 2008 it was believed that up to 400,000 people had
groups, where there is still significant infighting. In been killed and over 2.5 million displaced. In 2005,
addition, Rwanda still supports anti-DRC rebels and the ICC decided that Darfur war criminals would be
anti-Rwandan rebels continue to operate from the tried, and on July 14, 2008, Sudanese president Omar
DRC. The war killed an estimated 3.9 million people, al-Bashir was charged with 5 accounts of crimes
displaced nearly 5.5 million, and led to a widespread against humanity and 2 accounts of war crimes,
and ongoing famine that continues to result in although the ICC has no power to enforce these
deaths. Severe human rights violations continue to charges.
be reported. • 2003–2010 – The U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq on
• 2001 – George W. Bush became the second president March 20, 2003 and overthrew the government of
of the United States to be the son of a former Saddam Hussein (who was executed by the Iraqi
president when he was inaugurated on January 20, government on December 30, 2006). Coalition troops
2001. remain in the country to install a democratic
• 2001 – Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial government and fight an escalating insurgency. In
airliners and crashed two of them into the World addition to an insurgency against the American
Trade Center, one into the Pentagon and one into a presence, Iraq also suffered from a civil war for
field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania of the United several years. The war was soon seen as the central
States on September 11, killing nearly 3,000 people. front of the War on Terror by many governments,
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despite growing international dissatisfaction with
the war. The total death toll has been estimated at
near 150,000 but these estimations are highly
disputed, some guessing even over 1 million.[8] After
the U.S.-led coalition initiated a troop surge in 2007,
casualty numbers have decreased significantly.
Combat ended, at least officially, in August 2010.
• 2003–2005 – A series of nonviolent revolutions
known as the colour revolutions overthrew
governments in Georgia, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, and
Lebanon.
• 2004 – The European Union expanded by 10
countries, including 8 former communist countries,
plus Malta and Cyprus.
• 2004 – On March 11, bombings carried out by Islamic
militants killed 191 people on the commuter rail
system of Madrid, Spain.
• 2005 – A series of bombings carried out by Islamic
militants killed 56 people in London on July 7.
• 2005 – Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip on
September 11.
• 2006–2008 – The dismantling of former Yugoslavia
continued after Montenegro gained independence
on June 3, 2006 and Kosovo declared independence
on February 17, 2008. However, Kosovo’s
independence was disputed by Russia and many of In 2009, Barack Obama became the first African-American
its allies and was only partially recognized. president of the United States.
• 2006 – On the 28th of June Montenegro becomes a
member of the United Nations. • 2008 – Armed conflict broke out in August 2008
• 2006 – On July 12, Hezbollah militants crossed the between Georgia on one side, and the Russian
border of Lebanon and captured two Israeli troops. Federation together with Ossetians and Abkhazians
Israel responded by sending troops across the border on the other. Russia officially recognized
and bombing Hezbollah strongholds, while independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Hezbollah fired missiles on towns in northern Israel, • 2008 – A Series of Coordinated Terrorist Attacks by
approximately 6 each day. At the end of the war Islamic militants on 26 November-29 November in
300–450 Lebanese civilians, 600 Hezbolla troops, 44 Mumbai 2008 Mumbai attacks killed 154 people and
Israeli civilians and 121 Israeli soldiers died. A injured more than 308.
ceasefire was signed on August 14, after which Israeli • 2009 – Barack Obama became the first African-
troops withdrew from Lebanon. Many military American president of the United States
sources in Israel have warned about the danger of a • 2009 – North Korea tests a second nuclear device.
new Israeli-Lebanese conflict back in the year 2000, • 2010 – Polish president Lech Kaczynski and 95 others
when Israel has withdrawn from Lebanon. died in an air disaster in western Russia while en
• 2006 – On July 11, bombs planted on the train system route to a ceremony commemorating the genocide
in Mumbai exploded, killing 209 people. of Polish officers at Katyn in 1940. Investigations into
• 2006 – North Korea conducted its first nuclear test the accident are still ongoing.
on October 9.[9] This was preceded by years of • 2011 January; The birth of Arab Spring
political wrangling with the U.S. over the status of • 2011 – The Leader of Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden,
their nuclear program. who was responsible for the development of the
• 2007 – A civil war escalated in the Gaza Strip plans for the September 11th attacks, is killed in a
throughout June, which resulted in Hamas raid on his compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan by
eventually driving most Fatah-loyal forces from the Seal Team 6 of U.S. military Special Forces on May 2,
Strip. In reaction, Palestinian president Mahmoud 2011.
Abbas dismissed Hamas prime minister Ismail • 2011 – The shutdown of the largest UK tabloid News
Haniyeh and dissolved the Hamas-ruled parliament. of the World after 168 years in print due to the 2009
Scattered conflict continues. phone hacking scandal.
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• 2011 – On the 14th of July South Sudan becomes a
member of the United Nations.
• 2011 – On October 21 deposed dictator Muammar
Gaddafi was captured and killed by the National
Liberation Army of Libya
• 2011 – On December 15, the Iraq War was declared
formally over.
New countries
South Sudan gains its independence on July 9, 2011.
Some territories have gained independence during the
21st century. This is a list of sovereign states that have
gained independence in the 21st century and have been
recognized by a majority of foreign governments.
• East Timor (Timor-Leste)[10] on May 20, 2002
• Montenegro on June 3, 2006
• Serbia on June 5, 2006
• Republic of South Sudan on July 9, 2011 The Peoples Republic of China completed two major milestones
in space exploration during the 21st century so far with a
Three countries have declared independence but they
manned space launch and EVA.
have been recognized by a minority of UN states.
• Kosovo on February 17, 2008 • 2007 – China launches its first lunar mission with the
• South Ossetia on August 26, 2008 Chang’e 1 on October 24.
• Abkhazia on August 26, 2008 • 2008 – Chinese space program launches its third
manned space flight carrying its first three-person
Science and technology crew and conducts its first spacewalk that makes
China the third nation after Russia and USA to do
Space Exploration that, Shenzhou 7 on September 25.
• 2009 – Iran launches its first satellite, Omid on 2
• 2001 – Dennis Tito becomes the first space tourist by
February.
paying $19 million to board the International Space
• 2009 – The Indian Space Research Organisation
Station.
discovers water on the Moon.
• 2003 – Space Shuttle Columbia disaster February 1.
• 2011 – NASA launches Atlantis marking an end to its
• 2003 – The Chinese space program launches its first
three-decade shuttle program.
manned space flight, Shenzhou 5 on October 15. This
made China the third country in the world to have
Physics
indigenous manned space capability.
• 2004 – Mars Exploration Rovers land on Mars; • 2003 - WMAP observations of the cosmic microwave
Opportunity discovers evidence that an area of Mars background.
was once covered in water. • 2011 - Scientists at CERN claim to have detected
• 2004 – SpaceShipOne makes the first privately funded neutrinos travelling faster than light speed.[11]
human spaceflight, June 21
• 2005 – The Huygens probe lands on Titan, the largest Medicine
of Saturn’s moons, January 14. Further information: Timeline of medicine and medical
• 2006 – Pluto is reclassified from a planet to a dwarf technology#2000 – present
planet, leaving the solar system with eight planets. • 2003 – Completion of the Human Genome Project
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 21st century
• 2003 – Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
spreads around the globe.
Society
• 2005 – The first successful partial face transplant is AIDS which emerged in the 1980s continued to spread yet
performed in France. more treatment of AIDS made the disease less of a deadly
• 2006 – Australian of the Year Dr Ian Frazer develops threat. A cure was still not found in the noughties despite
a vaccine for cervical cancer. expectations. Same-sex marriage began to emerge as le-
• 2008 – Japanese scientists create a form of artificial gal. In 2001 the Netherlands became the first nation in
DNA. the world to legalize this type of marriage. The noughties
• 2009 – Influenza A virus subtype H1N1 spreads saw significant change surrounding this social issue and
around the globe. the change continued into the tens.
Storage & Mediums
The early 21st century was marked by the Arab Spring, a revo-
lutionary wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in
the Arab world that began in December 2010.
PlayStation 2 was released in 2000 and became the best-selling By the beginning of the 21st century the social issue
gaming console of all time of racism was slowly concluding as rights of other na-
tionalities in other nations increased; as can be seen by
• DVD technology replaces the VCR in the start of the the election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the
21st century. United States of America. This event takes place only 2
• Blu-Ray technology emerges. centuries after African-Americans were considered to be
• Compact Discs succeed Cassettes, and became rapidly second class citizens or even slaves. The rights of animals
removed by digital downloads. slowly became more and more considered in society and
• High Definition Television is replacing Standard the political world nevertheless at the beginning of the
definition century, the world was generally speciesist. [13]
• 3D technology becomes popular in the late 1990s and
early 2010s. Population
• The World Wide Web and websites becomes a major • The world population was around 6.1 billion at the
new medium for storing files and information. turn of the century.
• since the introduction of smartphones and tablets • The world population reached 7 billion in October
with 3G and 4G, mobile devices are connected with 2011, and is increasing at a rate of 78 million per
the internet. year.[14]
Social Technology Civil Unrest
• Mobile phone usage is very popular in the early 21st • Anti-globalization protests in Prague
century. The boom begun at the turn of the century • Protests against the Iraq War
and by 2010 practically everyone in the developed • Feb. 15, 2003 Iraq anti-war protest
world has a mobile.[12] • 2005 civil unrest in France
• The World Wide Web continues to rise in popularity • 2007 Georgian demonstrations
and Social Networking emerges in the early 21st • 2008 Tibetan unrest
century as a popular social communication. Twitter, • Tea Party protests
Facebook, and YouTube are all major examples of • 2009 G-20 London summit protests
social websites to gain widespread popularity. • 2009–2010 Iranian election protests
• 2010 G-20 Toronto summit protests
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• 2010 UK student protests • 2001 Gujarat Earthquake – An earthquake in
• 2010–2011 Greek protests Gujarat,India on January 26, 2001 killed
• Arab Spring approximately 20,000.
• Tunisian revolution • 2001 El Salvador Earthquake – 7.9 earthquake in El
Salvador shook the whole country on January 13,
2001, causing a major devastating landslide,
hundreds dead, thousands injured and many
homeless. A month later, on February 13, 2001 the
country suffered a second earthquake – 6.7
• 2003 European heat wave – Approximately 30,000
people were killed across Europe in a summer long
heat wave.
• 2003 Bam earthquake – An earthquake in Bam, Iran
on December 27, 2003 killed more than 26,000.
• 2004 Hurricane Jeanne – Over 3,000 people are killed
by Hurricane Jeanne in Haiti in September 2004.
Peaceful protests in Madrid. In August 2011, Spain’s • 2004 Asian Tsunami – On December 26, 2004, a
unemployment reached 21.2% (46.2% for youths).
massive undersea earthquake resulted in a massive
tsunami striking southeast Asia killing
• 2011 Egyptian revolution
approximately 230,000.
• 2011 Egyptian Post-Revolution protests
• 2005 Hurricane Katrina – The hurricane killed 1,836
• Impact of the Arab Spring
in southeast Louisiana and Mississippi (mostly in
• 2011 Iranian protests
New Orleans). A significant portion of the city, most
• 2011 Libyan civil war
of which sits below sea level, was submerged.
• 2011 United Kingdom anti-austerity protests
Damages reached US$81.5 billion, making Katrina
• 2011 London anti-cuts protest
the costliest tropical cyclone recorded.
• Spanish "Indignants"
• 2005 Kashmir earthquake An earthquake in Kashmir
• 2011 England riots
on October 8, 2005, killed at least 74,500 in India and
• 2011 Chilean protests
Pakistan
• 2011 Israeli social justice protests
• 2008 Cyclone Nagris – lead to catastrophic storm
• Occupy Wall Street
surge, leading to a death toll in excess of 100,000 and
• 15 October 2011 global protests
making millions homeless.
• Worldwide "Occupy" Protests
• 2008 Sichuan earthquake – An earthquake between
• 2011 Russian protests
7.9 and 8.0-magnitude struck Sichuan, China on May
12, 2008, killing 68,712, 17,921 missing.
Disasters • 2009 L’Aquila earthquake – A 6.3 magnitude
earthquake strikes near L’Aquila (Italy) on April 6,
Natural disasters 2009, one of the worst in Italian history. 308 were
pronounced dead and 65,000+ were homeless.
• 2009 flu pandemic – A worldwide outbreak of
Influenza A virus subtype H1N1 spread around the
world forming a pandemic by June 2009.
2010s
• 2010 Haiti earthquake – At least 230,000 are killed in
Haiti after a massive earthquake on January 12, 2010.
As of late February 2010, the death toll is expected to
rise. Three million people were made homeless.
• 2010 Chile earthquake – A massive earthquake,
magnitude 8.8, strikes the central Chilean coast on
February 27, 2010.
• 2010 Yushu earthquake – A large 6.9 magnitude
earthquake struck the Yushu region of China in
The tsunami striking Ao Nang in Thailand on December 26, Qinghai near Tibet, on April 14, 2010, killing over
2004. 2200 people.
• 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull – A massive ash
2000s cloud is formed by the eruption of the Icelandic
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people, most coming from Alabama. Damages are
expected to be near or over $10 billion.
• 2011 Joplin Tornado – On May 22, 2011, a devastating
EF5 tornado struck Joplin, Missouri resulting in 159
casualties, making it the deadliest tornado to hit the
United States since 1947.
• Tropical Storm Washi - Locally known as Sendong, it
caused catastrophic flooding in the Philippine island
of Mindanao on the night of December 16, 2011. The
hardest hits were in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City.
Almost 1000 people perished, most of who were
sleeping and President Benigno Aquino III declared a
The eye of Hurricane Irene as viewed from the International state of calamity four days later.
Space Station on August 24, 2011
Man-made disasters
volcano Eyjafjallajökull, on April 14, 2010 grounding • On July 27, 2002, a Sukhoi Su-27 fighter crashes at an
flights across northwest Europe. Scientists began air show in Ukraine, killing 85 and injuring more
recording volcanic activity there in 2009 which than 100, making it the worst air show disaster in
increased through March 2010 culminating in the history.
second phase eruption in April. • On February 1, 2003, at the conclusion of the STS-107
• 2010 Pakistan floods – Began in July 2010 after record mission, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrates
heavy monsoon rains. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during reentry over Texas, killing all seven
province of Pakistan was worst affected. At least astronauts onboard.
1,600 people were killed, thousands were rendered • The Black Saturday bushfires – the deadliest
homeless, and more than thirteen million people bushfires in Australian history took place across the
were affected.[15][16][17][18][19] Estimates from rescue Australian state of Victoria on February 7, 2009
service officials suggest the death toll may reach during extreme bushfire-weather conditions,
3,000 victims.[20] resulting in 173 people killed, more than 500 injured,
• 2011 Queensland floods – Began in December 2010 and around 7,500 homeless. The fires came after
primarily in Queensland. The flood cause thousands Melbourne recorded the highest-ever temperature
of people to evacuate. At least 200,000 people were (46.4°C, 115°F) of any capital city in Australia. The
affected by the flood. The flood continued majority of the fires were ignited by either fallen or
throughout January 2011 in Queensland, and the clashing power lines or deliberately lit.
estimated reduction in Australia’s GDP is about A$30 • On April 10, 2010, Polish President Lech Kaczyński,
billion. his wife and 95 other people, including dozens of
• February 2011 Christchurch earthquake – New government officials are killed in a plane crash.
Zealand’s prime minister says 181 people have died • On April 20, 2010 an explosion on the Deepwater
after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch Horizon offshore drilling rig, operating in the Gulf of
on February 22, 2011, making it New Zealand’s Mexico off the coast of Louisiana, left eleven
second-deadliest natural disaster after the 1931 crewmen dead and resulted in a fire that sank the rig
Hawke’s Bay earthquake. and caused a massive-scale oil spill[21] that may
• 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami – On March 11, become one of the worst environmental disasters in
2011, a catastrophic undersea earthquake of United States history.[22] On June 18, 2010
magnitude 9.0 occurred offshore of eastern Japan, oceanographer John Kessler said that the crude
the greatest in the country’s history and created a gushing from the well contains 40 percent methane,
massive tsunami which killed over 15,000; it also compared to about 5 percent found in typical oil
triggered the Fukushima I nuclear accidents. The deposits. Methane is a natural gas that could
overall cost for the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear potentially suffocate marine life and create "dead
accidents could reach $300 billion, making it the zones" where oxygen is so depleted that nothing
costliest natural disaster on record. lives. "This is the most vigorous methane eruption in
• April 25–28, 2011 tornado outbreak – Regarded as the modern human history," Kessler said.[23] On June 20
deadliest tornado outbreak ever recorded and an internal BP document was released by Congress
dubbed the 2011 Super Outbreak a catastrophic
Outbreak, revealing that BP estimated the flow could be as
tornado outbreak from April 25 to the 28th affected much as 100,000 barrels (4,200,000 US gallons; 16,000
the Southern United States and killed over 330
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cubic metres) per day under the circumstances that • 2006 FIFA World Cup is won by Italy.
existed since the April 20 blowout.[24][25] • Euro 2008 is won by Spain.
• 2010 FIFA World Cup is won by Spain.
Sports • 2010 FIFA World Cup was held in South Africa – the
first African nation to ever host this tournament.
At the turn of the 21st century sports were very popular. • Euro 2012 will be held in Poland and Ukraine.
The IOC’s Modern Olympic Games was the most viewed • 2014 FIFA World Cup will be held in Brazil.
sporting event. Association football was one of the most • Euro 2016 will be held in France.
popular sports worldwide with the FIFA World Cup the • 2018 FIFA World Cup will be held in Russia – the first
most viewed football event. Other sports such as Rugby, Eastern European country to hold this tournament.
American football, Basketball, Tennis and Golf were pop- • 2022 FIFA World Cup will be held in Qatar – the first
ular globally. American swimmer Michael Phelps won an Middle Eastern country to hold this tournament.
olympic record setting 8 Gold medals at the 2008 Summer Athletics
Olympics. • Usain Bolt broke various world records, including in
the 100 meter dash at the 2009 World
Championships, setting the record of 9.58 seconds.
• A record low number of Athletes failing drug tests
occurred in 2008 for Athletes, with only one
recordedly failing a drug test in the Women’s Long
Jump.
Aquatics
• Michael Phelps won six gold medals in the 2004
Summer Olympics, and a record eight in the 2008
Summer Olympics (some of those medals coming
from split-second wins).
Cricket
• 2003 Cricket World Cup is won by Australia.
• 2007 Cricket World Cup is won by Australia.
The Beijing Birds Nest Stadium during the 2008 Summer • 2007 Twenty20 World Cup is won by India.
Olympics. • 2009 Twenty20 World Cup is won by Pakistan.
• 2010 Twenty20 World Cup is won by England.
International Tournaments • 2011 Cricket World Cup is won by India.
Modern Olympic Games • 2015 Cricket World Cup – will be hosted by both
• 2000 Summer Olympics were held in Sydney, Australia and New Zealand.
Australia. • 2019 Cricket World Cup – will be hosted by both
• 2002 Winter Olympics were held in Salt Lake City, England and Wales.
Utah, United States. Cycling
• 2004 Summer Olympics were held in Athens, Greece. • 2001 Tour de France – started in Dunkerque, France
• 2006 Winter Olympics were held in Turin, Italy. (winner United States Lance Armstrong).
• 2008 Summer Olympics were held in Beijing, China. • 2002 Tour de France – started in Luxembourg
• 2010 Winter Olympics were held in Vancouver, (winner United States Lance Armstrong).
British Columbia, Canada. • 2003 Tour de France – started in Paris, France
• 2010 Summer Youth Olympics were held in (winner United States Lance Armstrong).
Singapore. • 2004 Tour de France – started in Liège, Belgium
• 2012 Summer Olympics Will be held in London, (winner United States Lance Armstrong).
United Kingdom. • 2005 Tour de France – started in Vendée, France
• 2014 Winter Olympics Will be held in Sochi, Russia. (winner United States Lance Armstrong).
• 2016 Summer Olympics Will be held in Rio de • 2006 Tour de France – started in Strasbourg, France
Janerio, Brazil. (winner Spain Oscar Pereiro).
• 2018 Winter Olympics Will be held in Pyeongchang, • 2007 Tour de France – started in London, United
South Korea. Kingdom (winner Spain Alberto Contador).
Association Football • 2008 Tour de France – started in France Brest, France
• Euro 2000 is won by France. (winner Spain Carlos Sastre).
• 2002 FIFA World Cup is won by Brazil. • 2009 Tour de France – started in Monaco, Monaco
• Euro 2004 is won by Greece. (winner Spain Alberto Contador).
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 21st century
• 2010 Tour de France – started in Rotterdam, • Wheelchair DanceSport is continuing to increases in
Netherlands (winner Spain Alberto Contador). importance worldwide and is now recognized as an
• 2011 Tour de France – started in Vendée, France official international paralympic sport.[26]
(winner Australia Cadel Evans). • Periodically are organized regional competitions,
Rugby Union World championships (for example 2010 in
• 2003 Rugby World Cup – host Australia - is won by Hannover) and European championships.
England
• 2007 Rugby World Cup – host France - is won by Domestic
South Africa Association Football
• 2011 Rugby World Cup – host New Zealand - is won • 2005 FIFA Club World Cup is won by São Paulo FC.
by New Zealand • 2006 FIFA Club World Cup is won by SC
• 2015 Rugby World Cup – host England. Internacional.
• 2019 Rugby World Cup – host Japan. • 2007 FIFA Club World Cup is won by AC Milan.
Tennis • 2008 FIFA Club World Cup is won by Manchester
• Roger Federer won 16 Grand Slam titles (4 Australian United.
Open, 1 French Open, 6 Wimbledon, and 5 US Open) • 2009 FIFA Club World Cup is won by Barcelona.
to beat Pete Sampras’ record of 14. • 2010 FIFA Club World Cup is won by Inter Milan.
• Both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal completed a • 2011 FIFA Club World Cup is won by Barcelona.
Career Grand Slam, winning the singles AFL (Australian Rules Football)
championships in the Australian Open, French Open, • 2000 AFL Grand Final – Essendon Bombers def.
Wimbledon and US Open; Nadal also won the Melbourne Demons.
Olympic Singles gold medal in the 2008 Beijing • 2001 AFL Grand Final – Brisbane Lions def. Essendon
Summer Olympics to complete a Golden Career Slam. Bombers.
• Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer at the 2008 • 2002 AFL Grand Final – Brisbane Lions def.
Wimbledon final with a score of Collingwood Magpies.
6-4,6-4,6-7(5),6-7(8),9-7. People consider this match • 2003 AFL Grand Final – Brisbane Lions def.
the greatest tennis match of all-time. The match Collingwood Magpies.
lasted for 8 hours (including two rain delays). • 2004 AFL Grand Final – Port Adelaide Power def.
• Roger Federer beat Andy Roddick in the 2009 Brisbane Lions.
Wimbledon final for his 15th Grand Slam • 2005 AFL Grand Final – Sydney Swans def. West Coast
championship after a 16-14 fifth set. Eagles.
• At the 2010 Wimbledon Championships, John Isner • 2006 AFL Grand Final – West Coast Eagles def. Sydney
and Nicolas Mahut completed the longest tennis Swans.
match in history. Isner won 6–4, 3–6, 6–7(7), 7–6(3), • 2007 AFL Grand Final – Geelong Cats def. Port
70–68. Adelaide Power.
Motorsport • 2008 AFL Grand Final – Hawthorn Hawks def.
• F1-Michael Schumacher wins World Championship Geelong Cats.
for the third time at Suzuka, Japan 2000 in a Ferrari • 2009 AFL Grand Final – Geelong Cats def. St Kilda.
F1-2000, Ferrari’s first driver’s championship in 21 • 2010 AFL Grand Final – Collingwood Magpies def. St.
years. Kilda.
• Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. (Dale Earnhardt) passes Basketball
away after a last-lap crash during the Daytona 500 in • 2001 NBA Finals – Los Angeles Lakers defeated the
February 2001. Philadelphia 76ers.
Golf • 2002 NBA Finals – Los Angeles Lakers defeated the
• the 2002 Ryder Cup was won by Europe 15 and a half New Jersey Nets.
to USA’s 12 and a half. • 2003 NBA Finals – San Antonio Spurs defeated the
• the 2004 Ryder Cup was won by Europe 18 and a half New Jersey Nets.
to USA’s 9 and a half. • 2004 NBA Finals – Detroit Pistons defeated the Los
• the 2006 Ryder Cup was won by Europe again 18 and Angeles Lakers.
a half to USA’s 9 and a half. • 2005 NBA Finals – San Antonio Spurs defeated the
• the 2008 Ryder Cup and last this decade was won by Detroit Pistons.
USA 16 and a half to Europe’s 11 and a half. • 2006 NBA Finals – Miami Heat defeated the Dallas
• the 2010 Ryder Cup was won by Europe 14 and a half Mavericks.
to USA’s 13 and a half. • 2007 NBA Finals – San Antonio Spurs defeated the
Wheelchair DanceSport Cleveland Cavaliers.
9
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 21st century
• 2008 NBA Finals – Boston Celtics defeated the Los • 2011 NRL season - Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (24)
Angeles Lakers. def. (10) New Zealand Warriors
• 2009 NBA Finals – Los Angeles Lakers defeated the • On the 22nd April, The Melbourne Storm were
Orlando Magic. stripped of their 2007 & 2009 titles as well as their
• 2010 NBA Finals – Los Angeles Lakers defeated the minor premierships from 07, 08 and 09 for
Boston Celtics. significant and deliberate salary cap breaches.
• 2011 NBA Finals – Dallas Mavericks defeated the American Football
Miami Heat. • 2001 Super Bowl XXXV – Baltimore Ravens defeated
Major League Baseball the New York Giants.
• 2000 World Series – New York Yankees def. New • 2002 Super Bowl XXXVI – New England Patriots
York Mets. defeated the St Louis Rams.
• 2001 World Series – Arizona Diamondbacks def. New • 2003 Super Bowl XXXVII – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
York Yankees. defeated the Oakland Raiders.
• 2002 World Series – Anaheim Angels def. San • 2004 Super Bowl XXXVIII – New England Patriots
Francisco Giants. defeated the Carolina Panthers.
• 2003 World Series – Florida Marlins def. New York • 2005 Super Bowl XXXIX – New England Patriots
Yankees. defeated the Philadelphia Eagles.
• 2004 World Series – Boston Red Sox def. St. Louis • 2006 Super Bowl XL – Pittsburgh Steelers defeated
Cardinals. the Seattle Seahawks.
• 2005 World Series – Chicago White Sox def. Houston • 2007 Super Bowl XLI – Indianapolis Colts defeated
Astros. the Chicago Bears.
• 2006 World Series – St. Louis Cardinals def. Detroit • 2008 Super Bowl XLII – New York Giants defeated the
Tigers. New England Patriots.
• 2007 World Series – Boston Red Sox def. Colorado • 2009 Super Bowl XLIII – Pittsburgh Steelers defeated
Rockies. the Arizona Cardinals.
• 2008 World Series – Philadelphia Phillies def. Tampa • 2010 Super Bowl XLIV – New Orleans Saints defeated
Bay Rays. the Indianapolis Colts.
• 2009 World Series – New York Yankees def. • 2011 Super Bowl XLV – Green Bay Packers defeated
Philadelphia Phillies. the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• 2010 World Series – San Francisco Giants def. Texas National Hockey League
Rangers. • 2001 Stanley Cup – Colorado Avalanche defeated the
• 2011 World Series - St. Louis Cardinals def. Texas New Jersey Devils.
Rangers. • 2002 Stanley Cup – Detroit Red Wings defeated the
NRL Carolina Hurricanes.
• 2000 NRL season – Brisbane Broncos (14) def. (6) • 2003 Stanley Cup – New Jersey Devils defeated the
Sydney Roosters. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
• 2001 NRL season – Newcastle Knights (30) def. (24) • 2004 Stanley Cup – Tampa Bay Lightning defeated
Parramatta Eels. the Calgary Flames.
• 2002 NRL season – Sydney Roosters (30) def. (8) New • 2005 Stanley Cup – Season cancelled due to labour
Zealand Warriors. dispute.
• 2003 NRL season – Penrith Panthers (18) def. (6) • 2006 Stanley Cup – Carolina Hurricanes defeated the
Sydney Roosters. Edmonton Oilers.
• 2004 NRL season – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs • 2007 Stanley Cup – Anaheim Ducks defeated the
(16) def. (13) Sydney Roosters. Ottawa Senators.
• 2005 NRL season – Wests Tigers (30) def. (16) North • 2008 Stanley Cup – Detroit Red Wings defeated the
Queensland Cowboys. Pittsburgh Penguins.
• 2006 NRL season – Brisbane Broncos (15) def. (8) • 2009 Stanley Cup – Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the
Melbourne Storm. Detroit Red Wings.
• 2007 NRL Season – Melbourne Storm (34) def. (8) • 2010 Stanley Cup – Chicago Blackhawks defeated the
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. Philadelphia Flyers.
• 2008 NRL Season – Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (40) • 2011 Stanley Cup – Boston Bruins defeated the
def. (0) Melbourne Storm. Vancouver Canucks.
• 2009 NRL Season – Melbourne Storm (23) def. (16)
Parramatta Eels.
• 2010 NRL season – St. George Illawarra Dragons (32)
def. (8) Sydney Roosters.
10
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 21st century
Economics & Industry • 2009 – Release of Avatar, the world’s highest
grossing film.
• The Late-2000s financial crisis continues to affect the • 2010s – Increasing use of 3D Camera Technology.
worldwide economy. • 2010 - Release of the third installment of the Toy
• Many American auto brands have been phased out Story franchise becomes the world’s highest grossing
such as Plymouth by Chrysler in 2001 and animated film, making over 1 billion dollars in the
Oldsmobile by General Motors in 2004, Pontiac and box-office.
Saturn by General Motors in 2010 and Mercury by • 2011 – Completion of the Harry Potter film series.
Ford in 2010.
Music
Entertainment • 2000s – The early 21st century has had a profound
impact on the condition of music distribution.
Entertainment during the 21st century had evolved from
Recent advents in digital computing & storage
the same types of entertainment which emerged around
technology have fundamentally altered industry and
the middle of the 20th century. Sports, films, music, TV
marketing practices as well as players in heretofore
series’ and books remained popular into the early 21st
unusual rapidity.
century but new forms of entertainment including social
• 2000s – Popularity of Beyonce and Britney Spears.
networking & internet accessed videos became popular.
• 2000s - Rising popularity in underground genres of
The most popular mediums of entertainment in the first
music such as Death Metal and Black Metal, some
decade at least were via televisions, the internet, CDs,
fusion genres emerging as a specific fusion such as
DVDs and paper. Digital information begins to complete
Blackened Death Metal.
its succession over analog information and storage tech-
• 1990s and 2000s – Increasing use of Autotune
niques.
technology.
• 2000s and 2010s – Popularity of Lady Gaga[citation
needed] and Ke$ha.
• 1990s and 2000s – Popularity of hip-hop music such
as Jay-Z and Eminem.
• 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010s - Populariry of
Madonna (entertainer)
• 2009 – Death of Michael Jackson.
• 2010s – Popularity of Dubstep and Justin Bieber.
• 2010s – Popularity of pop country music such as
Taylor Swift.
Sports
• 2000s – Increasing popularity for Football.
• 2000s – Increasing popularity of motor sports such as
NASCAR.
Social Networking
• 2000s – MySpace, Facebook and YouTube emerge in
the nineties when the very first social networks
emerged.
• 2010s – MySpace fades but Facebook & YouTube
remain popular and new sites such as Twitter and
Google+ emerge. Facebook replaces Digg as the most
popular media sharing site.
Mark Zuckerberg co-created Facebook in his Harvard dorm
room.
Issues and concerns
Film There are several points-of-view pertaining to the following
• 2003 – The first edition of Final Cut Pro is released of items, all of which should be considered accordingly.
which series would soon become very popular in the Issues that have been frequently discussed and debat-
film industry. ed so far in this century include:
11
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 21st century
• Advances in telecommunications and transportation, approximate number of induced abortions
the expansion of capitalism and democracy, and free performed worldwide in 2003 was 42 million.[28]
trade agreements have resulted in unprecedented • are a major political issue in many places, with same
global economic and cultural integration. This has sex marriage being legalized in several jurisdictions
caused (and is continuing to cause) economic and during the first decade of the century, but outlawed
cultural shifts which have been the subject of by constitutional amendment in other places.
considerable controversy. Meanwhile, some countries such as Uganda moved
to toughen their laws against any sort of homosexual
behavior. Political battles over pro- or anti-gay
legislation provoked much activism in the streets
and on the Internet.
• Poverty remains the root cause of many of the
world’s other ills, including famine, disease, and
insufficient education. Poverty contains many self-
reinforcing elements (for instance, poverty can make
education an unaffordable luxury, which tends to
result in continuing poverty) that various aid groups
hope to rectify in this century. Microcredit lending
has also started to gain a profile as a useful anti-
poverty tool.
• AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria each kill over a
million people annually. HIV remains without a cure
or vaccine, and is growing rapidly in India and much
of the African continent. Antibiotic resistance is a
growing concern for organisms such as tuberculosis.
Other diseases, such as SARS, ebola, and flu
variations, are also causes for concern. The World
Health Organization has warned of a possible coming
flu pandemic resulting from bird flu mutations. In
2009, there was an outbreak of swine flu whose
country of origin is still unknown.
• Active conflicts continue around the world,
Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2006. Almost 97% of future including civil wars in the Democratic Republic of
population growth will occur in developing countries.[27] the Congo (the largest war since World War II),
Chechnya, Côte d’Ivoire, Somalia, Senegal, Colombia,
• The United Nations estimates that world population Sudan (mainly in Darfur), and Libya. The 9/11
will reach 9.2 billion by mid-century. Such growth terrorist attacks triggered invasions of Afghanistan
raises questions of ecological sustainability and and partially and controversially Iraq. The War on
creates many economic and political disruptions. In Terrorism has seen controversies over civil liberties,
response, many countries have adopted policies accusations of torture, continued terrorist attacks
which either force or encourage their citizens to and ongoing instability, violence, and military
have fewer children, and others have limited occupation. Violence continues in the Arab–Israeli
immigration. Considerable debate exists over what conflict. Considerable concern remains about
the ultimate carrying capacity of the planet may be; nuclear proliferation, especially in Iran and North
whether or not population growth containment Korea, and the availability of weapons of mass
policies are necessary; to what degree growth can destruction to rogue groups.
safely occur thanks to increased economic and • Climate scientists have postulated that the earth is
ecological efficiency; and how distribution undergoing significant anthropogenic (human-
mechanisms should accommodate demographic induced) global warming.[29] The resulting economic
shifts. Evidence suggests that developed countries and ecological costs are hard to predict. Some
(such as Japan) suffer population implosion, and the scientists argue that human-induced global warming
population debate is strongly tied with discussions risks considerable losses in biodiversity and
about the distribution of wealth. ecosystem services unless considerable sociopolitical
• Debates between "Pro-choice" and "Pro-life" factions changes are introduced, particularly in patterns of
on the controversial procedure continue. The mass consumption and transportation.
12
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 21st century
• Issues surrounding the cultural, economic, and • are becoming scarce and more expensive, due to the
military dominance of the United States and its role escalating demand for petroleum ("oil") and oil-
in the world community have become even more based products such as gasoline and kerosene,
pointed given its recent military activities, unmatched by production. Discovery of new oil
problematic relations with the United Nations, fields has not been sufficient to sustain current
disagreement over several international treaties, and levels of production, and some fear that the earth
its economic policies with regard to globalization. may be running out of economically viable oil,
Integration of the European Union and the African pressing for alternatives. As Agrofuel, one possible
Union have proceeded. alternative, yields further hazards for the
• The increasing popularity of digital formats for environment and endangers food security, debate is
entertainment media such as movies and music, and far from over.
the ease of copying and distributing it via the • seem to remain strained as the "Western Alliance"
Internet and peer-to-peer networks, has raised and NATO square off with Russia and other nations
concerns in the media industry about copyright over international policy and the future of the ex-
infringement. Much debate is proceeding about the Soviet sphere. An Eastern Europe Missile Defense
proper bounds between protection of copyright, Shield, military and social conflicts in former
trademark and patent rights versus fair use and the Yugoslavia and the Caucasus (particularly Georgia
public domain, where some argue that such laws and Chechnya), fossil fuel infrastructures like the
have shifted greatly towards intellectual property Nabucco pipeline and the future of nuclear arsenals
owners and away from the interests of the general are among the topics that have strained the relations
public in recent years, while others say that such between the two sides with eerie reminders
legal change is needed to deal with a perceived reminiscent of the Cold War.
threat of new technologies against the rights of The United Nations lists global issues on its agenda and
authors and artists (or, as others put it, against the lists a set of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to at-
outmoded business models of the current tempt to address some of these issues.
entertainment industry). Domain name
"cybersquatting" and access to patented drugs and
generics to combat epidemics in third-world
Astronomical events (passed or
countries are other IP concerns. to come) in the 21st century
List of the long central solar eclipses
• Solar eclipse of July 22, 2009, total of 6 min 38.8 s,
saros 136. The longest of the century.
• Solar eclipse of January 15, 2010, annular of 11 min
08 s, du saros 141. The longest of the century, and
also of the entire millenium (!)
• Solar eclipse of August 2, 2027, total of 6 min 23 s,
saros 136.
• Solar eclipse of January 26, 2028, annular of 10 min
27 s, saros 141.
• Solar eclipse of August 12, 2045, total of 6 min 06 s,
Global Peak Oil forecast. Virtually all economic sectors rely saros 136.
heavily on petroleum. • Solar eclipse of February 5, 2046, annular of 9 min 42
s, saros 141.
• developments show no sign of slowing. • Solar eclipse of August 24, 2063, of 5 min 49 s, saros
Communications and control technology continues 136.
to augment the intelligence of individual humans, • Solar eclipse of February 17, 2064, annular of 8 min
collections of humans, and machines. Cultures are 56 s, saros 141.
forced into the position of sharply defining • Solar eclipse of May 11, 2078, total of 5 min 40 s,
humanity and determining boundaries on desire, saros 139.
thought, communication, behavior, and • Solar eclipse of November 4, 2078, annular of 8 min
manufacturing. Some, notably Ray Kurzweil, have 29 s, saros 144.
predicted that by the middle of the century there • Solar eclipse of May 22, 2096, total of 6 min 07 s,
will be a Technological Singularity if artificial saros 139.
intelligence that outsmart humans is created.
13
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 21st century
• Solar eclipse of November 15, 2096, annular of 8 min Television and film
53 s, saros 144. • WALL-E has mentioned the earth overcoming mass
consumerism and toxicity levels rising in the 21st
Other phenomena century. It takes place in the year 2805 (29th
• December 23, 2007: grand conjunction, a galactic century).
conjunction which happens every 26,000 years. • t.A.T.u Video Beliy Plaschik Is set "Sometime in the
• 2009: Triple conjunction Jupiter–Neptune. 21st century"
• Monday, August 21, 2017:[30] First total solar eclipse • The new series of Doctor Who which began in 2005
of the 21st century for the United States, and the depicts many fictional events that take place in the
first visible in the continental US since February 26, 21st century.
1979.[31] • The television series seaQuest DSV takes place
• November 11, 2019: Transit of Mercury. between the years 2018 and 2032.
• Friday, April 13, 2029: The asteroid 99942 Apophis • In the sequel to 2001: A Space Odyssey, a joint
(previously better known by its provisional American-Soviet space expedition is sent to Jupiter
designation 2004 MN4) will pass within 30,000 km in 2010.
(18,600 mi) of the Earth. • The Adult Swim series Sealab 2021 takes place in the
• July 2061: Next return of Halley’s Comet. year 2021.
• 2063: Triple conjunction Mars-Uranus. • The events of Stargate SG-1 continue into the early
• November 11, 2065: Transit of Mercury. 21st century.
• November 22, 2065: At 12:45 UTC, Venus will occult • Stargate Atlantis is set in the early 21st century.
Jupiter. This event will be the first occultation of a • The Transformers: The Movie: is set in the year 2005.
planet by another since January 3, 1818. This event The subsequent third season of the Transformers
will be very difficult to observe, because the series takes place after the events of the movie.
elongation of Venus and Jupiter from the Sun on that • The Japanese anime show The Super Dimension Fortress
date will be only 7 degrees. Macross spans the years 1999 to 2012 (its final episode
• 2066: Triple conjunction Jupiter-Uranus. takes place in January 2012, and a direct to video
• July 15, 2067: At 11:56 UTC, Mercury will occult epilogue featurette takes place in September 2012).
Neptune. This rare event will be very difficult to Its prequel and sequels take place in 2008 (Macross
observe, because of the constant low elongation of Zero), 2040 (Macross Plus), 2045–2046 (Macross 7) and
Mercury from the Sun, and the magnitude of 2059 (Macross Frontier). A dramatized historical
Neptune always under the limit of visibility with the fiction movie about the First Space War, The Super
naked eye. Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love?,
• Friday, November 10, 2084: Transit of Earth as seen premieres in 2031.
from Mars, the first and the only one in this century. • The American cartoon show Robotech, composed
• November 7, 2085: Transit of Mercury. from the footage of three unrelated anime series
(including Macross, above) spans the years 1999 to
2015, 2030–2031 and 2044–2045.
Fiction, Theology & Philosophy • Part of the sequel Back to the Future Part II is set on
Doomsday Scenarios October 21, 2015.
• 2012 – Some people believe the world will undergo a • The Japanese anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion is
great transformation on December 21, 2012. The also set in 2015.
exact nature of the transformation is not agreed on, • The film Blade Runner takes place in November 2019.
but this Doomsday Prediction is the most-known • The cult series Dark Angel is set in 2019.
doomsday theories so far, making the date highly • The film Daybreakers is set in 2019
anticipated and watched.[32] This originated with the • The film The Running Man starring Arnold
idea of that date being the end of the Mayan Schwarzenegger is set in 2019.
calendar, although Terence McKenna reached this • Both parts of the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode
date independently from mayan prophecy. "Past Tense" take place in 2024.
• 2036 – An asteroid (Apophis) was initially believed to • The dystopic sci-fi novel and film Metropolis takes
have a chance of impacting Earth in 2029. With place in 2027.
further study, this possibility was ruled out; • The film Children of Men is set in 2027.
however, there is a chance that Apophis will pass • The anime universe of Ghost in the Shell, its sequel
close to the Earth, altering its path to impact the Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, and anime television
Earth in 2036. The chances of this occurring are series based on the same premise (Ghost in the Shell:
estimated at 1 in 250,000. Stand Alone Complex and Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd
GIG), are centered somewhere around 2029.
14
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 21st century
• The Terminator is set up during the early years of the • The Doctor Who story The Seeds of Death is set in
21st century in terms of the wars between humans & 2090.
Skynet. Some of the intervening years are dealt with • The 1985 film Enemy Mine begins in 2092 and ends in
by the two sequels, Terminator 2: Judgment Day and 2095.
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, with the whole • The Doctor Who story Nightmare of Eden is set in 2096.
franchise building to a conclusion of the War in 2029. • The events of Leprechaun 4: In Space takes place in
• The 2002 version of The Time Machine has scenes that 2096.
take place in the 2030 and 2037 NYC. • The 2008 Disney Channel movie Minutemen is based
• The Doctor Who story The Enemy of the World is set in between the dates September 3, 2005 and September
Australia in 2030. 8, 2008.
• The comedy series Time Trumpet is set in 2031, and • The tagline of Torchwood series one is: "The 21st
"looks back on" the first 30 years of the 21st century. century is when everything changes. And we have to
• The anime OAV series Bubblegum Crisis (2032–33), its be ready." In series two, the second sentence
sequel Bubblegum Crash (2034), and its TV-series re- changes to: "And Torchwood is ready."
imagining Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 (2040). • The 2008 film Repo! The Genetic Opera is set in the year
• Demolition Man is set in 2032. 2056. Plastic surgery and a fictional pain-killing drug
• I, Robot was set in 2035. known as Zydrate are commonplace as fashion
• Deep space vessel Event Horizon was sent to test an statements and addictions. Additionally, The
artificial wormhole (black hole) in deep space in the painkiller Zydrate is called the "21st Century Cure"
year 2040. The lost ship is found 7 years later by a in the film.
rescue team on board the ship Lewis and Clark on low • The events of the Sci-Fi anime Planetes is set in the year
orbit around the planet Neptune. 2075.
• The Outward Urge has a major nuclear war in 2044 and • The 2009 disaster film 2012 takes place in the year
the first manned landing on Mars in 2094. 2012. It is based on an end of the world event on
• Bollywood movie Love Story 2050 was partly set in December 21, 2012.
2050. • The epilogue of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is
• Minority Report was set in April 2054. set on September 1, 2017.
• World War III ends in 2053 according to Star Trek: • The Japanese anime Copihan is set in the year 2034.
First Contact, with 600,000,000 dead and most major Computer and video games
cities destroyed. • The events of Metal Gear Solid take place in 2005,
• The 1998 remake of Lost in Space was set in 2058. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty takes places in the
• Most of Star Trek: First Contact takes place in 2063. In years 2007 (Tanker Chapter) and 2009 (Big Shell
Star Trek canon, the human Zefram Cochrane Chapter), and the events of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns
develops faster-than-light travel and makes first of the Patriots take place in 2014.
contact with an alien race during this year. • Duke Nukem 3D is set in the early 21st century and
• Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within is set in 2065. contains evidence (such as calendars) that suggest it
• The Doctor Who story The Moonbase is set in 2070. is more specifically set in October or December 2007
• The Japanese anime show Cowboy Bebop is set in 2071. • Uplink is set on the internet of the year 2010.
• The Nicktoon My Life as a Teenage Robot is set in 2072. • Perfect Dark Zero is set in 2020 and Perfect Dark is set in
• Equilibrium is set in 2072. 2023.
• The Doctor Who story Day of the Daleks is set in 2073, • The races in San Francisco Rush 2049 take place in
albeit in an alternative timeline. 2049.
• The film Total Recall, and the Doctor Who story • The events of Deus Ex take place in 2052.
Warriors of the Deep are set in 2084. • The levels "Breaking and Entering" and "You Genius,
• In Star Trek: Insurrection, it is discovered that the U-Genix" in TimeSplitters: Future Perfect take place in
Ba’ku moved to the Briar Patch at some point in this 2052.
century. • System Shock is set in 2072.
• The Jetsons is supposed to take place in the late 21st • Future Cop: LAPD takes place in the year 2098.
century. • The discovery of the Zohar in Xenosaga takes place in
• Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century and its sequels takes 20XX.
place in the years 2049–2054. • The Great War of the Fallout universe starts on
• The final episode of The X-Files sets December 22, October 23, 2077; nuclear bombs are launched,
2012 as the date for alien colonization. nobody knows who the aggressor was.
• The CGI animated series Cubix: Robots for Everyone • The events of Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne occur in
takes place in 2040. 20XX.
15
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 21st century
• In Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction, the 2nd • Stinkoman 20X6, of Homestar Runner fame, takes
Korean War starts early in this century. place in the seventh year of an unspecified decade in
• Mercenaries 2: World in Flames, takes place sometime the 21st century.
around between 2008 and 2010. Novels
• The Mega Man Classic series takes place sometime in • Arthur C. Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, 2010: Odyssey
the 21st century, represented as 20XX. Two and 2061: Odyssey Three.
• The MegaMan Battle Network series takes place in • Tad Williams’ Otherland series is set at some
20XX. undefined point in the 21st century
• The arcade game Robotron: 2084 takes place in the • Neal Stephenson’s The Diamond Age is also set in the
year 2084. 21st century, after some disaster befell the
• One Must Fall: 2097 takes place in 2097. centralized telephone network. This led people to
• The Mr. Driller series (and Dig Dug: Digging Strike, a build a decentralized network, which they used to
game in its related timeline) takes place in 20XX. transfer money, thus destroying normal methods of
• The events of Half-Life takes place around 2000–2009. taxation and bringing down most large
• The events of Half-Life 2 and its expansion packs governments.
takes place around the early 2020s. • Red Mars of Kim Stanley Robinson’s Mars trilogy
• The video game and cartoon 20X6 of Homestar begins in 2027.
Runner supposedly takes place in the seventh year of • Some books by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky are set
an unspecified decade in the 21st century. in 21st century
• The nuclear holocaust of the AquaNox universe takes • The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein
place in mid-21st century, followed by the massive takes place in 2075.
exodus of survivors underwater. • Turnabout by Margaret Peterson Haddix, is set in
• Trauma Center: Under the Knife and Trauma Center: 2005–06, 2057, and mainly 2085.
Second Opinion take place in 2018, when AIDS and CD Albums
cancer supposedly have cures. • In the timeline for Arjen Anthony Lucassen’s Ayreon,
• The events of Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow takes place in specifically the album 01011001, the human race
this time; specifically 2035. The sequel, Castlevania: destroys itself in a violent war in 2084. The alien
Dawn of Sorrow takes place one year later, in 2036. Forever race returns home one year later, in 2085,
These are the only two Castlevania titles to have after which the last human being goes on a journey
taken place beyond the early to mid 20th century detailed in the album The Dream Sequencer.
thus far. Comics
• The events of Tokyo Xtreme Racer: Drift and Tokyo • In the first Legion of Super-Villains story Cosmic
Xtreme Racer: Drift 2 take place during 20XX, when King clams to be from the 21st century. However as
Japanese highways have supposedly been opened as he is from Venus he may be using a different
racing circuits. calender.
• The events of Namco × Capcom takes place during • In another Superman story Superman battles
20XX. Futuremen from the Year 2000, in which Earth’s
• In the Command & Conquer: Tiberian series, the 2nd water has been dried away by a bomb. They hope to
Tiberium War between the Global Defense Initiative use Superman to get Billions from Earth for getting
and the Brotherhood of Nod begins in 2030. The 3rd water from Ice around Saturn, but Superman escapes
Tiberium War takes place 17 years later in 2047, them and helps Earth, while the villains are jailed.
which also sees the arrival of the Scrin to Earth. • Arno Stark a villainous version of Iron Man is from
• Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 (GRAW the year 2020.
2) takes place in 2014
• The events of Grand Theft Auto IV take place in the fall
of 2008.
Decades and years
• The fictional story line of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2000s
2, takes place in 2016. Main Article: 2000s (decade)
• The events that are set in the ’present’ of both • September 11, 2001 – Al-Qaeda terrorists hijack four
Assassin’s Creed and Assassin’s Creed 2 take place in the aircraft in the US, and deliberately crash them; three
year 2012. The plot of both games builds toward a of them reach their targets, two hit the World Trade
worldwide catastrophe prophesied to occur on Center in New York City, another the Pentagon, with
December 21, 2012. See 2012 phenomenon one more missing its target, a total of 3,000 people
• The Start of Ace Attorney: Phoenix Wright take place die from the attacks.
on August 3, 2016 • December 26, 2004 – the 2004 Indian Ocean
Internet earthquake killed up to 250,000 people.
16
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 21st century
• December, 2007 – the late-2000s recession begins, as [7] ^ Experts clash over millennium bugbear—The
the United States would see its biggest financial Times
crisis since the Great Depression. [8] Estimated casualties in Iraq
• June 11, 2009 – The 2009 flu pandemic begins – it was [9] O’Neil, John; Onishi, Norimitsu (2006-10-15). "US
declared a pandemic less than two months into the confirms nuclear claim". New York Times.
spread by the World Health Organization. However, http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/16/world/asia/
only 18,000 people died[citation needed]. 17koreacnd.html?hp&ex=1161057600&en=891cb4c4775510b3&ei=5
2010s Retrieved 2006-10-16.
Main Article: 2010s (decade) [10] Grolier- the new book of knowledge, section "E"
• January 12, 2010 – the 2010 Haiti earthquake killed [11] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i_9Hvnx-6s
more than 230,000 people. [12] "Total mobile subscribers top 1.8 billion".
• April 25–28, 2011 – the 2011 Super Outbreak was the MobileTracker Cell Phone News and Reviews. May 18,
deadliest tornado outbreak to affect the United 2005. Archived from the original on January 19,
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External links
PMID 17933648. http://media.mcclatchydc.com/ • Reuters – The State of the World The story of the
smedia/2007/10/17/13/Chang- 21st century
• Long Bets Foundation to promote long-term
Guttmacher_Institute_abortion_report.source.prod_affiliate.91.pdf.
Retrieved 2008-12-02. thinking
[29] http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/ • Long Now Long-term cultural institution
306/5702/1686 • Scientific American Magazine (September 2005
[30] http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/5MCSEmap/ Issue) The Climax of Humanity
2001-2100/2017-08-21.gif • MapReport 21st Century Event World Map
[31] http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/5MCSEmap/
1901-2000/1979-02-26.gif
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