The calendar reads 2001. Here is who arrived, who left, what launched, what people watched, and how the world worked.
⌘Technology
The first iPod held 1,000 songs.
Apple introduced a 5 GB music player for $399 in October 2001. It connected by FireWire.
Source: Apple Presents iPod ↗◆Movies
“A Beautiful Mind” was Best Picture.
The Academy’s 2002 ceremony honored films released in 2001 and gave its top prize to the drama.
Source: Oscars — 74th Academy Awards ↗?Wait, That Happened?
The first Apple Stores open.
Apple opened stores at Tysons Corner and Glendale Galleria on May 19, complete with product zones, a theater and the new Genius Bar.
Source: Apple to Open 25 Retail Stores in 2001 ↗†Remembered
The world said goodbye to George Harrison.
The Beatles guitarist and songwriter died that year.
Source: George Harrison ↗+Born
Billie Eilish entered the world.
The future Grammy- and Oscar-winning singer-songwriter was born on December 18.
Source: Billie Eilish ↗◎World events
The Nobel Peace Prize went to the United Nations and Kofi Annan.
The committee recognized their work for a better organized and more peaceful world.
Source: Nobel Peace Prize 2001 ↗♫Music
The O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack had Album of the Year.
At the 2002 Grammy Awards, O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack won Album of the Year.
Source: Album of the Year — 2002 ↗#Population
The latest census counted 281,421,906 Americans.
The 2000 count is the nearest decennial population anchor for this capsule.
Source: 2000 Census decade portrait ↗◎White House
Bill Clinton began the year in office; George W. Bush was inaugurated on January 20.
Presidential terms are pinned to inauguration and succession dates in the National Archives chronology.
Source: U.S. presidents in Census records ↗$Wallet
The federal wage floor was $5.15 an hour.
Coverage rules changed over time; this is the principal federal rate shown in the Department of Labor history.
Source: Federal minimum wage history ↗