World Events:
* September 11th Attacks: The deadliest terrorist attacks in world history, with the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
* War on Terror: The United States launched the "War on Terror" in response to the 9/11 attacks, leading to the invasion of Afghanistan and the overthrow of the Taliban regime.
* The Anthrax Attacks: Five people died and 17 others were infected in a series of anthrax attacks targeting U.S. media outlets and government officials.
* Enron Scandal: The collapse of the energy giant Enron, exposing massive accounting fraud and triggering a wave of corporate scandals.
* India-Pakistan Standoff: A tense standoff between India and Pakistan, triggered by an attack on the Indian parliament.
* The Dot-com Bubble Burst: The bursting of the technology bubble, leading to massive layoffs and a recession in the tech industry.
Politics & Society:
* George W. Bush's Presidency: George W. Bush took office in January 2001, facing a highly divided nation after the close election.
* The Patriot Act: The controversial Patriot Act was passed, expanding government surveillance powers in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
* The European Union Expansion: The European Union expanded to include 10 new member states, primarily from Eastern Europe.
* The "Death of the Taliban": The Taliban regime in Afghanistan was overthrown by US-led forces.
Other Major Events:
* The Nobel Peace Prize: The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the United Nations and its Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.
* The Harry Potter Series: The fourth book in the Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire", was released.
* The Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster: The Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry, killing all seven astronauts on board.
This is just a brief overview. 2001 was a pivotal year in world history, filled with both tragedy and significant changes. You can find more detailed information on specific events by searching online or referring to news archives.