21st century

===[[2000s]]===
[[File:Second Congo War Africa map en.png|thumb|Belligerents of the [[Second Congo War]]]]
[[File:George-W-Bush.jpeg|thumb|upright|[[George W. Bush]], the 43rd [[president of the United States]], from 2001 to 2009]]
[[File:National Park Service 9-11 Statue of Liberty and WTC fire.jpg|thumb|right|[[September 11 attacks]]]]
[[File:Flickr - europeanpeoplesparty - EPP Sumiit 15 May 2006 (3).jpg|thumb|[[Angela Merkel]] and [[José Manuel Barroso]]]]
[[File:Obama and Medvedev sign Prague Treaty 2010.jpeg|thumb|[[Barack Obama]], the first [[African-American]] [[President of the United States|president]] of the [[United States]], and Russian President [[Dmitry Medvedev]] after signing the [[New START|Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty]]]]
* 1998–2003 – The [[Second Congo War]] continued into the early 21st century. A 1999 ceasefire quickly broke down and a UN peacekeeping mission, [[MONUC]], was unable to control the fighting. Troops from [[Rwanda]] and [[Uganda]] continued to support rebel groups against the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] and rifts also grew between Rwanda and Uganda as they accused each other of supporting rival rebel groups as well. [[Laurent Kabila]], president of the DRC, was assassinated in January 2001 and his son, [[Joseph Kabila]], took power. Throughout 2002 steps were made towards peace and Rwanda and Uganda both removed their troops from the country. On [[December 17]], 2002, a massive treaty officially ended the war. However, the DRC only holds power in less than half of the country, with most of the eastern and northern portions still controlled by rebel groups, where there is still significant infighting. In addition, Rwanda still supports anti-DRC rebels and anti-Rwandan rebels continue to operate from the DRC. The war killed an estimated 3.9 million people, displaced nearly 5.5 million, and led to a widespread and ongoing famine that continues to result in deaths. Severe human rights violations continue to be reported.<ref>{{cite web|date=2007-05-01|title=Mortality in the Democratic Republic of Congo: An ongoing crisis|url=https://www.rescue.org/report/mortality-democratic-republic-congo-ongoing-crisis|access-date=2021-03-30|website=International Rescue Committee (IRC)|language=en|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417081129/https://www.rescue.org/report/mortality-democratic-republic-congo-ongoing-crisis|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2000–2005 – The [[Second Intifada]], a major Palestinian uprising against [[Israel]], is estimated to have led to the deaths of approximately 3,000 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

====2001====
* [[January 20]]: [[George W. Bush]] is [[First inauguration of George W. Bush|inaugurated]] as the 43rd president of the United States. He is the second president from the [[Bush family]], after [[George H. W. Bush|his father]].
* [[April 1]] – The [[Netherlands]] becomes the first country in the world to legalize [[same-sex marriage]].
* [[May 13]] – Conservative media magnate [[Silvio Berlusconi]] wins the [[2001 Italian general election|general election]] in Italy, becoming the country's [[Prime Minister of Italy|Prime Minister]]. Berlusconi would go on to dominate Italian politics for the rest of the decade.
* [[June 1]] – The [[Nepalese royal massacre]] occurs at a house on the grounds of the [[Narayanhity Palace|Narayanhity Royal Palace]], the residence of the Nepalese monarchy. Ten members of the family were killed during a party or monthly reunion dinner of the royal family in the house. The dead included [[Birendra of Nepal|King Birendra of Nepal]] and [[Queen Aishwarya of Nepal|Queen Aishwarya]].
* [[July 20]] – [[July 22|22]] – More than 200,000 [[Anti-globalization movement|anti-globalization protesters]] march in [[Genoa]], during the [[27th G8 summit]]. Two demonstrators are killed by the [[Italian police]]. On [[July 21]], a group of [[Carabinieri]] [[2001 Raid on Armando Diaz|attacked the school Armando Diaz]], critically injuring many peaceful protesters. 
* [[September 11]] – [[September 11 attacks]] – Nineteen [[al-Qaeda]] terrorists [[Hijackers in the September 11 attacks|hijack]] four [[commercial airliner]]s and [[September 11 attacks|crash two of them]] into the [[World Trade Center (1973-2001)|World Trade Center]], one into [[the Pentagon]] and one into a field in [[Shanksville, Pennsylvania]], of the United States on 11 September, killing nearly 3,000 people. The president [[George W. Bush]] subsequently declares the [[War on Terror]].
* [[December 11]] – After 15 years of negotiations, the [[People's Republic of China]] becomes a member of the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO).
* 2001–2014 – The [[Northern Alliance]] and [[NATO]]-led [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]] [[United States invasion of Afghanistan|invades]] [[Afghanistan]] on [[Operation Enduring Freedom|October 7, 2001]], and overthrows the Al-Qaeda-supportive [[Taliban]] government. Troops remained to install a democratic government, fight a slowly escalating insurgency, and to hunt for Al-Qaeda leader [[Osama bin Laden]] who would be [[Death of Osama bin Laden|killed]] by [[SEAL Team Six|American troops]] nearly 10 years later, on [[May 2]], 2011. On [[December 24]], 2014, NATO forces officially ended combat operations in Afghanistan, but forces remained until [[August 30]], 2021, followed by a quick withdrawal of all troops.

====2002====
* [[January 1]]
** The [[Treaty on Open Skies|Open Skies]] mutual [[surveillance]] treaty, initially signed in [[1992]], officially enters into force.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/russia-conduct-observation-flight-over-us-under-open-skies-treaty-1742081|title=Russia To Conduct Observation Flight Over US Under Open Skies Treaty|last=Bora|first=Kukil|date=2014-12-08|newspaper=International Business Times|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref>
** The [[Euro]] is the official currency introduced in the [[Eurozone]] countries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/1/newsid_4044000/4044891.stm|title=Celebrations as euro hits the streets|date=2002-01-01|website=BBC News|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> The former currencies of all the countries that use the Euro ceased to be legal tender on February 28.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pr/date/2002/html/pr020228.en.html|title=The euro becomes the sole legal tender in all euro area countries|date=2002-02-28|website=European Central Bank|language=en|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref>
* [[January 6]] – ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' publishes results of an investigation leading to the [[Sexual abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston|criminal prosecutions]] of five Roman Catholic priests and bringing widespread attention to the [[Catholic Church sexual abuse cases|sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Church allowed abuse by priest for years|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/special-reports/2002/01/06/church-allowed-abuse-priest-for-years/cSHfGkTIrAT25qKGvBuDNM/story.html |first1=Matt |last1=Carroll |first2=Sacha |last2=Pfeiffer |first3=Michael |last3=Rezendes |first4=Walter V. |last4=Robinson |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=2002-01-06 |access-date=2023-03-12}}</ref>
* [[January 17]] – [[Mount Nyiragongo]] erupts in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], displacing an estimated 400,000 people.<ref>{{cite web |title=Case study – volcanic eruption in a developing country: Mt Nyiragongo – Volcanoes and volcanic eruptions – Edexcel – GCSE Geography Revision – Edexcel |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zpf9mnb/revision/7 |website=BBC Bitesize |access-date=22 March 2021}}</ref>
* [[January 18]] – The [[Sierra Leone Civil War]] comes to a conclusion with the defeat of the [[Revolutionary United Front]] by government forces.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.blackpast.org/gah/sierra-leone-civil-war-1991-2002|title=The Sierra Leone Civil War (1991–2002) {{!}} The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed|last=Momodu|first=Samuel|website=Black Past|date=January 16, 2017|language=en|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref>
* [[February 6]] – [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] of the [[Commonwealth realms]] celebrates her [[Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II|Golden Jubilee]], marking 50 years since her accession to the thrones of the [[United Kingdom]], [[Canada]], [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/queen-helps-cbc-tv-mark-50th-anniversary-1.323865|title=Queen helps CBC TV mark 50th anniversary|date=2002-10-11|website=CBC|access-date=2016-06-04}}</ref>
* [[February 8]] – [[February 24|24]] – The [[2002 Winter Olympics]] are held in [[Salt Lake City, Utah]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.olympic.org/salt-lake-city-2002|title=Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics – results & video highlights|date=2016-10-13|website=International Olympic Committee|access-date=2016-12-10}}</ref>
* [[February 12]] – The [[trial of Slobodan Milošević]], the former president of [[Serbia and Montenegro|Yugoslavia]], begins at the [[International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia]] in [[The Hague]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/11/opinion/the-trial-of-slobodan-milosevic.html|title=The Trial of Slobodan Milosevic|date=2002-02-11|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref>
* [[February 14]] – The [[State of Bahrain]] is declared a [[constitutional monarchy]] and becomes the [[Kingdom of Bahrain]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-02-15 |title=Bahrain now a monarchy |url=https://www.deseret.com/2002/2/15/19637636/bahrain-now-a-monarchy |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref>
* [[February 19]] – [[NASA]]'s ''[[2001 Mars Odyssey]]'' [[space probe]] begins to map the surface of [[Mars]] using its thermal emission imaging system.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/2009/02/feb-19-2002-odyssey-turns-its-cameras-on-mars/|title=Odyssey Turns Its Cameras on Mars|last=Long|first=Tony|date=2002-01-19|newspaper=Wired|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref>
* [[February 20]] – [[2002 El Ayyat railway accident]]: A train fire in [[El Ayyat]], Egypt kills at least 370 people.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 20, 2002 |title=Horror on Egypt fire train |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/africa/02/20/egypt.train/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=CNN}}</ref>
* [[February 22]]
** [[UNITA]] guerrilla leader [[Jonas Savimbi]] is killed in clashes against government troops led by [[President of Angola|Angolan President]] [[José Eduardo dos Santos]] in [[Moxico Province]], [[Angola]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1839252.stm|title=Savimbi 'died with gun in hand'|date=2002-02-25|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=2016-06-04}}</ref>
** The government of Sri Lanka and the [[Tamil Tigers]] agree to a ceasefire, temporarily ending the [[Sri Lankan Civil War]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dugger |first=Celia W. |date=2002-02-22 |title=Sri Lanka and Rebels Sign Cease-Fire Agreement |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/22/international/sri-lanka-and-rebels-sign-ceasefire-agreement.html |access-date=2022-12-11 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> It would last until the resumption of hostilities in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sirilal |first=Ranga |date=2008-01-02 |title=Sri Lanka ends ceasefire with Tamil Tigers |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-31216020080102 |access-date=2022-12-11}}</ref>
* [[February 27]] – A mob [[Godhra train burning|attacks]] a train near [[Godhra]], India, killing approximately 59 people.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2021-02-16 |title=Godhra train burning case accused held after 19 years |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/godhra-train-burning-case-accused-held-after-19-years/article33853611.ece |access-date=2022-12-11 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The state of Gujarat breaks out into [[2002 Gujarat riots|riots]], including the [[Gulbarg Society massacre]] on February 28 that kills approximately 69 people.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghosh |first=Sohini |date=2022-07-01 |title=Gulberg Society case: 69 dead, 30 missing, all those convicted out on bail |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/gulberg-society-case-69-dead-30-missing-all-those-convicted-out-on-bail-8003685/ |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
* [[May 20]] – After a long period of [[Indonesian occupation of East Timor|occupation by Indonesia]], [[East Timor]]'s independence is recognized by [[Portugal]] and the [[United Nations|UN]].
* [[July 1]] – The [[International Criminal Court]] (ICC) is established.
* [[September 10]] – [[Switzerland]], a [[neutral country]], becomes a member of the [[United Nations]].
* [[October 12]] – [[Jemaah Islamiyah]], a violent Islamist group, claims responsibility for the [[2002 Bali bombings|detonation of three bombs]] in the tourist district of [[Kuta]] on the [[Indonesia]]n island of [[Bali]]. The attack killed 202 people and left 209 people injured.
* [[November 15]] – [[Hu Jintao]] becomes the [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party]], making him the [[paramount leader]] of [[China]] after [[Jiang Zemin]].

====2003====
* 2003–present – In February 2003, a conflict in [[Darfur]], [[Sudan]] begins and escalates into [[War in Darfur|full-scale war]]. By 2008 it was believed that up to 400,000 people had been killed and over 2.5 million displaced. In 2005, the ICC decided that Darfur war criminals would be tried, and on [[July 14]], 2008, Sudanese president [[Omar al-Bashir]] was charged with 5 accounts of [[crimes against humanity]] and 2 accounts of war crimes, even though the ICC had no power to enforce such charges.
* 2003–2010 – The [[Multi-National Force – Iraq|U.S.-led coalition]] [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invades]] [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq]] on [[March 20]], 2003, and overthrows the government of [[Saddam Hussein]] (who is executed by the Iraqi government on December 30, 2006). Coalition troops remain in the country to install a democratic government and fight an escalating insurgency. In addition to an insurgency against the American presence, Iraq also suffered from a [[Iraqi insurgency (2003–11)|civil war]] for several years. The war was soon seen as the central front of the War on Terror by many governments, despite growing international dissatisfaction with the war. The [[Casualties of the Iraq War|total death toll]] has been estimated at near 150,000 but these estimations are highly disputed, with one highly disputed study guessing even over 1 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://antiwar.com/casualties/|title=Estimated casualties in Iraq|access-date=6 October 2014|archive-date=7 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007084135/http://antiwar.com/casualties/|url-status=live}}</ref> After the U.S.-led coalition initiated a [[Iraq War troop surge of 2007|troop surge]] in 2007, casualty numbers have decreased significantly. Combat ended, at least officially, in August 2010.
* 2003–2005 – A series of [[nonviolence|nonviolent]] [[revolution]]s known as the [[colour revolution]]s overthrow governments in [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Ukraine]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], and [[Lebanon]].
* [[December]] – Libyan leader [[Muammar Gaddafi]] announces that Libya would voluntarily eliminate all [[Libya and weapons of mass destruction|weapons of mass destruction]].

====2004====
* [[March 11]] – [[2004 Madrid train bombings|Ten explosions occur]] at the [[Cercanías Madrid|Cercanías]] commuter train system of [[Madrid]], [[Spain]], killing 191 people and injuring around 2,000.
* [[May 1]] – The [[European Union]] [[2004 enlargement of the European Union|expands]] by 10 countries (including eight former communist countries, plus [[Malta]] and [[Cyprus]]).
* [[June 5]] – Former U.S. president [[Ronald Reagan]] [[Death and state funeral of Ronald Reagan|dies]] at the age of 93, after suffering nearly a decade from [[Alzheimer's disease]].
* [[September 1]] – A group of Chechen rebels [[Beslan school siege|invade a school in Beslan]], keeping thousands of hostages during three days. A series of shootings and bombings kills 334 people and injured 750.
* [[November 11]] – [[Palestinian people|Palestinian]] leader and Chairman of the [[Palestine Liberation Organization]] [[Yasser Arafat]] dies in France, at the age of 75, from hemorrhagic stroke.
* [[November 18]] – [[Massachusetts]] becomes the first [[U.S. state]] to [[Goodridge v. Department of Public Health|legalize]] [[same-sex marriage]].
* [[December 26]] – [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami]] leaves 227,898 dead.

====2005====
* [[January 1]] – Jeanna Giese becomes the first person to ever survive [[rabies]] without a vaccination.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Razner|first=Sarah|title=15 years after she survived rabies, Jeanna Giese seeks to save others from it|url=https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/2019/09/12/fond-du-lac-rabies-survivor-jeanna-giese-seeks-save-others-virus/2284305001/|access-date=2021-01-14|website=The Reporter|language=en-US|archive-date=April 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419180124/https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/2019/09/12/fond-du-lac-rabies-survivor-jeanna-giese-seeks-save-others-virus/2284305001/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Lite|first=Jordan|title=Medical Mystery: Only One Person Has Survived Rabies without Vaccine—But How?|url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/jeanna-giese-rabies-survivor/|access-date=2021-01-14|website=Scientific American|language=en|archive-date=December 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210131741/http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=jeanna-giese-rabies-survivor|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[January 5]] – [[Eris (dwarf planet)|Eris]], the most massive known [[dwarf planet]] in the [[Solar System]], is discovered by a team led by [[Michael E. Brown]] using images originally taken on October 21, 2003, at the [[Palomar Observatory]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://solarviews.com/eng/eris.htm|title=Dwarf Planet Eris|last=Hamilton|first=Calvin J.|website=Solar Views|access-date=July 3, 2016|archive-date=August 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814052034/http://solarviews.com/eng/eris.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[January 12]] – [[Deep Impact (spacecraft)|''Deep Impact'']] is launched from [[Cape Canaveral]] with the purpose of studying the [[comet]] [[Tempel 1]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4162869.stm|title=Comet probe Deep Impact launches|publisher=BBC|date=2005-01-12|access-date=2009-10-14|archive-date=December 13, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213152505/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4162869.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[January 14]] – The [[Huygens (spacecraft)|''Huygens'' spacecraft]] lands on [[Titan (moon)|Titan]], the largest moon of [[Saturn]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/huygens_descent_comm_050114.html|title=Touchdown on Titan: Huygens Probe Hits its Mark|website=[[Space.com]]|access-date=2009-10-14|date=2005-01-14|first1=Tariq |last1=Malik |first2=Peter |last2=de Selding| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091010053614/http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/huygens_descent_comm_050114.html| archive-date=October 10, 2009| url-status= live}}</ref>
* [[January 20]]: The most intense [[solar particle event]] in recorded history is observed.<ref>{{cite web |title=A New Kind of Solar Storm |url=https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2005/10jun_newstorm |website=NASA Science |access-date=1 January 2021 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126014020/https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2005/10jun_newstorm/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[April 19]] – After the death of [[Pope John Paul II]] on [[April 2]], [[Joseph Ratzinger]] of Germany is [[2005 papal conclave|elected]] as Pope Benedict XVI.
* [[July 7]] – Four Islamic extremist [[suicide bomb]]ers [[7 July 2005 London bombings|set off three bombs in London]]; 56 people are killed, including the four suicide bombers.
* [[November 22]] – [[Angela Merkel]] becomes the first elected female [[Chancellor of Germany]].

====2006====
* [[July 12]] – [[Hezbollah]] crosses the border of [[Lebanon]] and captures two Israeli soldiers. Israel [[2006 Lebanon War|responds]] by sending troops across the border and bombing Hezbollah strongholds, while Hezbollah fires missiles on towns in northern Israel, approximately 6 each day. At the end of the war 1,200 Lebanese civilians, 500 Hezbollah fighters, 44 Israeli civilians and 121 Israeli soldiers die. A ceasefire is signed on [[August 14]], after which Israeli troops withdrew from Lebanon.
* [[October 9]] – [[North Korea]] conducts its [[2006 North Korean nuclear test|first nuclear test]].<ref>{{cite news |title=US confirms nuclear claim |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=15 October 2006 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/16/world/asia/17koreacnd.html |first1=John |last1=O'Neil |first2=Norimitsu |last2=Onishi |access-date=21 February 2017 |archive-date=21 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121110555/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/16/world/asia/17koreacnd.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This was preceded by years of political wrangling with the U.S. over the status of [[North Korea and weapons of mass destruction|their nuclear program]].

====2007====
* [[January 1]] – [[Bulgaria]] and [[Romania]] [[2007 enlargement of the European Union|join]] the [[European Union]].
* [[January 9]] – Apple CEO [[Steve Jobs]] introduces the original [[iPhone (1st generation)|iPhone]] at a Macworld keynote in [[San Francisco]], starting the new era of smartphones with this invention.
* [[January 25]] – A [[Fatah–Hamas conflict|civil war]] escalates in the [[Gaza Strip]] throughout June, which would result in the [[Hamas]] driving most [[Fatah]]-loyal forces out from the Strip. In reaction, Palestinian president [[Mahmoud Abbas]] dismisses Hamas Prime Minister [[Ismail Haniyeh]] and dissolves the Hamas-ruled parliament. Scattered conflict continues.
* [[January 31]] – Boston faces a [[2007 Boston Mooninite panic|hoax bomb scare]], as a result of [[LED]] placards of [[List of Aqua Teen Hunger Force characters#Ignignokt and Err|Ignignokt and Err]] from [[Aqua Teen Hunger Force]] being mistaken as an [[improvised explosive device]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://wgbhnews.org/post/mooninite-invasion-boston-6-years-later | title=GBH News | access-date=2022-09-15 | archive-date=2014-07-31 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731012118/http://wgbhnews.org/post/mooninite-invasion-boston-6-years-later | url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[July 25]] – [[Pratibha Patil]] becomes the first woman to be elected [[President of India]].
* [[December 13]] – 27 EU member states sign the [[Treaty of Lisbon]], with the treaty coming into effect on [[December 1]], 2009.
* 2007–2008 – [[2007-08 Kenyan crisis|Crisis]] follows the [[2007 Kenyan presidential election|Kenyan presidential election of 2007]], leading to the formation of a coalition government, with [[Mwai Kibaki]] as president and [[Raila Odinga]] as prime minister.

====2008====
* [[January 1]] – [[Cyprus]] and [[Malta]] adopt the [[euro]] currency.<ref name="vgEan">[http://www.euractiv.com/en/euro/cyprus-malta-set-join-eurozone-2008/article-163836 Cyprus and Malta set to join eurozone in 2008] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130041939/http://www.euractiv.com/en/euro/cyprus-malta-set-join-eurozone-2008/article-163836 |date=January 30, 2009}}, EurActiv</ref><ref name="qxkbC">[http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1198764121.53/ Akrotiri and Dhekelia adopt the euro], EUbusiness ([[ISO 4217]] code: VEF). {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706103838/http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1198764121.53/ |date=July 6, 2009}}</ref>
* [[January 14]] -; At 19:04:39 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]], the uncrewed [[MESSENGER]] [[space probe]] is at its closest approach during its first flyby of the planet [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]].<ref name="45JNK">{{cite web
  | url          = http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/mer_flyby1.html
  | title        = Mercury Flyby 1
  | access-date  = 2008-01-12
  | publisher    = [[Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory]]
  | url-status   = dead
  | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080516045507/http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/mer_flyby1.html
  | archive-date = May 16, 2008
  }}</ref>
* [[January 21]]
**Stock markets around the world plunge amid growing fears of a U.S. [[recession|Great Recession]], fueled by the 2007 [[subprime mortgage crisis]].<ref name="UdyTv">{{Cite news
  | author1      = Landler, Mark
  | author2      = Timmons, Heather
  | url          = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/21/business/22stox-web.html
  | title        = Stocks Plunge Worldwide on Fears of a U.S. Recession
  | date         = January 21, 2008
  | work         = The New York Times
  | access-date  = November 21, 2008
  | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20081211195300/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/21/business/22stox-web.html
  | archive-date = December 11, 2008
  | url-status   = live
  }}</ref>
**[[Online activist]] group [[Anonymous (hacker group)|Anonymous]] initiates [[Project Chanology]], after a [[News leak|leaked interview]] of [[Tom Cruise]] by the [[Church of Scientology]] is published on [[YouTube]], and the Church of Scientology issued a [[DMCA takedown|"copyright infringement" claim]]. In response, Anonymous sympathizers took to the streets to [[protest]] outside the church (after February 10), while the church's websites and centres were getting [[DoS attacks]], [[Prank call|phone line nukes]], and [[black faxes]].<ref name="sx8F7">{{Cite web|date=2011-05-10|title=Hackers Declare War on Scientology – Science News {{!}} Science & Technology {{!}} Technology News - FOXNews.com|website=[[Fox News]]|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,325586,00.html|access-date=2021-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510074500/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,325586,00.html|archive-date=May 10, 2011}}</ref><ref name="vOwe0">{{Cite web
  | date         = 2008-03-23
  | title        = From The Magazine : Radar Online : Scientology is under attack from a faceless cabal of online activists. Has America's most controversial religion finally met its match?
  | url          = http://www.radaronline.com/from-the-magazine/2008/03/scientology_anonymous_protests_tom_cruise_01.php
  | access-date  = 2021-03-12
  | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080323063402/http://www.radaronline.com/from-the-magazine/2008/03/scientology_anonymous_protests_tom_cruise_01.php
  | archive-date = March 23, 2008
  }}</ref><ref name="phLJJ">{{Cite web
  | date        = 2012-09-21
  | title       = "Anonymous" threatens to "dismantle" Church of Scientology via intern…
  | url        = http://apcmag.com/anonymous_threatens_to_dismantle_church_of_scientology_via_internet.htm
  | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120921005702/http://apcmag.com/anonymous_threatens_to_dismantle_church_of_scientology_via_internet.htm
  | url-status  = dead
  | archive-date = 2012-09-21
  | access-date = 2021-03-12
  | website     = archive.ph
  }}</ref><ref name="waVoL">{{Cite web|date=2008-08-21|title=Hacker Group Declares War On Scientology – News Story – KNBC {{!}} Los Angeles|url=http://www.knbc.com/news/15132759/detail.html|access-date=2021-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821132355/http://www.knbc.com/news/15132759/detail.html|archive-date=August 21, 2008}}</ref><ref name="muTyR">{{Cite news
  | last        = MAR
  | title       = Online group declares war on Scientology
  | newspaper   = National Post
  | language    = en-CA
  | url        = http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=261308
  | archive-url = https://archive.today/20080128145858/http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=261308
  | url-status  = dead
  | archive-date = 2008-01-28
  | access-date = 2021-03-12
  | issn        = 1486-8008
  }}</ref><ref name="LwGGz">{{Cite magazine
  | title       = War Breaks Out Between Hackers and Scientology – There Can Be Only One
  | language    = en-us
  | magazine        = Wired
  | url         = https://www.wired.com/2008/01/anonymous-attac/
  | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211014/https://www.wired.com/2008/01/anonymous-attac/
  | archive-date=2021-10-14  
  | access-date = 2021-03-12
  | issn        = 1059-1028
  }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="LqoSy">{{Cite web|date=2008-07-05|title=Anonymous Versus Scientology: Cyber Criminals or Vigilante Justice? {{!}} The Legality|url=http://www.thelegality.com/archives/22|access-date=2021-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705202321/http://www.thelegality.com/archives/22|archive-date=July 5, 2008}}</ref><ref name="yECdo">{{Cite web
  | date         = 2008-03-28
  | title        = Group Lines Road To Protest Church Of Scientology – Orlando News Story – WKMG Orlando
  | url          = http://www.local6.com/news/15205679/detail.html
  | access-date  = 2021-03-12
  | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080328184704/http://www.local6.com/news/15205679/detail.html
  | archive-date = March 28, 2008
  }}</ref>{{Excessive citations inline|date=December 2022}}
* [[February 16]] – [[2008 Kosovo declaration of independence|Kosovo unilaterally declares independence]] from [[Serbia]]. Serbia refuses to recognize it and considers Kosovo as part of its territory.
* [[February 18]] – [[WikiLeaks]] releases [[allegations]] of [[Tax evasion|illegal activities]] carried out by the [[Cayman Islands]] branch of [[Swiss banking]] corporation [[Julius Baer Group|Julius Baer]]; a subsequent [[Bank Julius Baer v. WikiLeaks|lawsuit against WikiLeaks]] prompts a [[Web domain|temporary suspension]] of the website, but uproar about violations of [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|freedom of speech]] causes WikiLeaks to be brought back online.<ref name="UHHp2">{{Cite magazine
  | title       = Cayman Islands Bank Gets Wikileaks Taken Offline in U.S. – Updated with Links
  | language    = en-us
  | magazine        = Wired
  | url         = https://www.wired.com/2008/02/cayman-island-b/
  | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211014/https://www.wired.com/2008/02/cayman-island-b/
  | archive-date=2021-10-14  
  | access-date = 2021-03-09
  | issn        = 1059-1028
  }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="L7ZF1">{{Cite news
  | last        = Gollner
  | first       = Philipp
  | date        = 2008-02-29
  | title       = Judge reverses ruling in Julius Baer leak case
  | language    = en
  | work        = Reuters
  | url         = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-baer-idUSN2927431720080229
  | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211014/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-baer-idUSN2927431720080229
  |  archive-date=2021-10-14  
  | access-date = 2021-03-09
  }}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* [[August 1]] – [[August 12|12]] – [[Russo-Georgian War|An armed conflict]] is fought between [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and the [[Russian Federation]] together with [[Ossetians|Ossetian]] and [[Abkhazians|Abkhazian]] separatists on the other. Russia officially [[International recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia|recognizes]] independence of [[Abkhazia]] and [[South Ossetia]].
* [[November 4]] – [[Barack Obama]] is [[2008 United States presidential election|elected]] as the first African-American [[president of the United States]]. He is sworn into office in [[January 20]], 2009.

====2009====
[[File:Reporter and Crowd outside UCLA - MJ Death.jpg|thumb|Reporter covering the [[death of Michael Jackson]] outside [[Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center|UCLA Medical Center]] in Los Angeles]]
* [[June 13]] – [[2009 Iranian presidential election protests|Protests erupt]] in [[Iran]], following the [[2009 Iranian presidential election protests|presidential election]] against [[President of Iran|Iranian President]] [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]].
* [[June 25]] – American pop star [[Michael Jackson]] dies at the age of 50. His [[Death of Michael Jackson|death]] triggers an outpouring of worldwide grief; online reactions to the event cripple several major websites and services, as the abundance of people accessing the [[uniform resource locator|web addresses]] pushes [[internet traffic]] to unprecedented and historic levels.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/26/michael.jackson.internet/|title=Jackson dies, almost takes Internet with him|website=[[CNN]]|date=June 26, 2009|access-date=January 30, 2024|archive-date=December 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225202917/https://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/26/michael.jackson.internet/|url-status=live}}</ref>