The Year 2001 Major Events, Popular Culture, Prices,

911 Terrorist Attacks

More Information for the Terrorist 911 Attacks

al-Qaeda Terrorists attack the United States using hijacked passenger aircraft to bring down the Twin Towers in New York and crashing an aircraft into the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia leaving nearly 3,000 people dead. the attacks become known simply as 911 due to the date of the attack September 11th. Due to the attacks a number of things happen, America Declares War on Terrorism and invades Afghanistan where the leader of al-Qaeda Osama bin Laden was believed to be hiding , Security increases for all aspects of American life including Airline Security.

Known simply as 9/11. On September 11, 2001 Nineteen hijackers simultaneously took control of four U.S. domestic commercial airliners. The hijackers crashed two planes into the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York City one into each of the two tallest towers. Within two hours, both towers collapsed. The hijackers crashed the third aircraft into the U.S. Department of Defense headquarters, the Pentagon, in Arlington County, Virginia. The fourth plane crashed into a rural field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, following apparent passenger resistance.

United States - Genesis Spacecraft Launched

More Information for NASA Genesis

1. NASA launches the Genesis spacecraft during August of 2001.

2. The mission of Genesis was to examine and collect samples of solar wind.

3. This mission was the first to collect and return materials to Earth since the Apollo program.

4. NASA thought that the samples could provide more accurate information about the composition of the Sun and improve upon theories about the creation of the Sun and the planets.

5. Genesis crash-landed back on Earth in September of 2004.

6. Due to a design flaw in the parachute several samples were damaged in the crash, but there were still some left intact that NASA was able to study.

Italy -- Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy re-opens to the public during December of 2001. The popular tourist destination was built in 1360 and closed in 1990 for repairs. It opened 11 years later after a team of engineers, architects, and soil experts successfully stabilized it without removing its famous tilt. There were multiple attempts to fix the sinking tower and it was accomplished by removing soil underneath it to counter the tilt. The repairs cost about $27 million and the experts who worked on it estimated that the 12th century building would last at least another 200 years before toppling over.

NEAR Shoemaker Spacecraft

NASA’s NEAR (Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous) Shoemaker spacecraft became the first spacecraft to land on an asteroid when it touches down in the “saddle” region of 433 Eros. The spacecraft initially launched in February of 1996 and ended its mission after landing on the asteroid which was approximately 355 kilometers away from Earth. While visiting the asteroid, the spacecraft took photos of its descent, and measured data relating to mineralogy, morphology, the composition of it, its magnetic field, and other properties.

United States - iTunes Released by Apple

The Apple Computer Company releases the iTunes program during January of 2001. The purpose of the software was to organize and manage digital multimedia files, primarily music and video files on a computer. It was used primarily by users to store and organize their digital music collections, rip songs off of CDs, and to upload their music and video collections onto devices like an iPod. In 2003 , Apple introduced the iTunes Store which made it even easier for iTunes users to add to their digital music collection.

Russia - Mir Space Station De-Orbits

1. The Russian space station Mir was de-orbited during March.

2. The space station plunged into the South Pacific in a controlled re-entry that was monitored by several space agencies.

3. Mir was originally assembled in 1986 and placed in low Earth orbit by the Soviet Union.

4. It was the first modular space station and had a larger mass than any other spacecraft that had been launched at that point in time.

5. Russia chose to de-orbit the Mir space station as they lacked the funding to continue operations and had been devoting more time and resources to the new International Space Station that was launched in 1998.

Space Tourism

Dennis Tito becomes the first space tourist during May of 2001.

U.S. business man and multimillionaire Dennis Tito returns from his space flight in May of 2001. Tito was considered to be the very first “space tourist’ having paid his way for a trip to the International Space Station aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Tito reportedly paid $20 million to Space Adventures, a company that facilitated his training in Russia and subsequent flight to the ISS. Tito originally tried to plan his trip through NASA but NASA officials did not approve of Tito’s flight as they did not believe he would have enough training. Dennis Tito’s space journey lasted for about six days during which he helped conduct experiments before he returned to Earth.

Anthrax attacks

A series of Anthrax attacks spreads fear amongst the American Public and several people are infected by handling infected letters

United States invades Afghanistan

The United States invades Afghanistan, with some participation from the UK. Marking the beginning of the US "War on Terrorism" campaign. Seeking to oust the Taliban and find Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden

California Rolling Blackouts

California suffers more Rolling Blackouts and electricity rate hikes of up to 46 percent

Enron files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

Pacific Gas and Electric in California Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

Dale Earnhardt

The legendary racing driver Dale Earnhardt who had won a record seven Nascar championships dies in a last-lap crash during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway

Gotthard Road Tunnel

Fire In Gotthard Road Tunnel Joining Switzerland to Northern Italy Under The Alps kills 39

Pan Am Flight 103

The Scottish Court in the Netherlands convicts a Libyan and acquits another for their part in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 which crashed in Lockerbie, Scotland

IRA Dismantles weapons arsenal

IRA Dismantles it's weapons arsenal after years of fighting

Summer of the Shark

2001 becomes known as "Summer of the Shark" after a number of shark attack fatalities.

Galapagos Islands Ecological Disaster

'Jessica' runs aground on the Island of San Cristobal in the Galapagos Islands causing an Ecological Disaster when 180,000 gallons of oil are leaked into the sea

Shoe Bomber

Richard C. Reid, dubbed by the press as the shoe bomber, attempts to blow up an American Airlines plane

Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty

The US Pulls Out Of 1972 Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty

Aids drugs

Pharmaceutical Companies Agree to sell Aids drugs for cost price in Africa a discount of up to 90% to help the fight against Aids.

27th G8 summit

The 27th G8 summit takes place in Genoa, Italy. Massive demonstrations against the meeting by anti-globalization groups

Cincinnati Rioting

Cincinnati Mayor Charles Luken declares a state of emergency after the third night of Riots

Selby Rail Crash

Selby Rail Crash in Northern England

Ghana stampede

120 people killed in stampede at football game in Ghana

India parliament building attack

Gunmen attack the parliament building in the Indian capital, New Delhi leaving At least 12 dead and 22 injured

Hotel fire Manila

Hotel fire at Manila, Philippines causes the death of over 100 people.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa reopens after 11 years repairs to stop it falling over

General Pervez Musharraf

TGeneral Pervez Musharraf Takes Power on June 21st and takes on the role of president and chief executive in Pakistan and banning opposition parties political rallies.

Eden Project

The Eden Project in Cornwall, England Opened ( the worlds largest greenhouse ) trying to help save the worlds largest collection of plants