Millennium Celebrations: A Global Journey into the Year 2000
As the world transitioned from the 20th to the 21st century, the arrival of the year 2000 sparked a wave of celebrations that swept across the planet from east to west. Following the International Date Line—the imaginary line on Earth's surface that separates one calendar day from the next—nations hosted everything from solemn religious services to massive pop concerts and high-tech fireworks displays.
These events were captured in massive global broadcasts, most notably the BBC-led 2000 Today and the Irish RTÉ marathon Millennium Eve: Celebrate 2000, which documented the chronological progression of the new millennium across various UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) zones.
Key Facts
- First Land: The Republic of Kiribati's Caroline Island (renamed Millennium Island) was among the first landmasses to see the new millennium.
- First Industrial Nation: New Zealand became the first industrial nation to celebrate the year 2000.
- Last Independent Nation: Samoa was the final independent nation to enter the millennium due to its UTC-11 time zone.
- Major Broadcasts: The global transition was tracked by the 28-hour 2000 Today event.
- Political Shifts: Russian President Boris Yeltsin unexpectedly resigned during his New Year address, naming Vladimir Putin as acting president.
The Pacific and Asia-Pacific (UTC+14 to UTC+8)
The celebrations began in the mid-Pacific. The US Navy submarine Topeka marked the occasion 400 metres underwater, straddling both the Equator and the International Date Line. In Tonga, the transition was marked by a choir reciting Hallelujah and a special CD featuring King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV.
In New Zealand, Auckland's harbor fireworks signaled the start for the industrial world, while the Chatham Islands held a Māori blessing. Moving west, Sydney, the upcoming host of the 2000 Summer Olympics, featured a massive display at the Harbour Bridge and exclusive parties at the Sydney Opera House.
East Asia hosted a blend of tradition and modernity. Japan and South Korea held joint celebrations; in Tokyo, temple bells rang 108 times to dispel evil. Notably, the heavy metal band Seikima-II performed a final concert titled "The Doomsday," disbanding exactly one second before midnight to fulfill a fictional prophecy.
In China, Beijing hosted dragon dances and fireworks, where leader Jiang Zemin lit a flame for Chinese civilization. Hong Kong saw film star Jackie Chan lead singers just before the midnight fireworks, while the Philippines held simultaneous parties, including a broadcast from Rizal Park with President Joseph Estrada.
Central Asia, Middle East, and Africa (UTC+7 to UTC+2)
From Vietnam's countdown parties in Ho Chi Minh City to India's grand opening of the 41-metre Thiruvalluvar Statue in Tamil Nadu, the celebrations were diverse. In India, however, the festivities were overshadowed by the return of hostages from Indian Airlines Flight 814.
In the Middle East, Dubai opened the iconic Burj Al Arab tower on December 1 to mark the occasion. In Egypt, Jean-Michel Jarre performed The Twelve Dreams of the Sun at the Giza pyramids. However, this period also saw tragedy in Egypt, where an argument in Kosheh escalated into anti-Coptic riots and a massacre of 20 Coptic Christians.
In Africa, former South African President Nelson Mandela marked the moment with a solitary candle in his former cell on Robben Island. Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, Israel launched one of its largest peacetime police operations to prevent doomsday fanatics from attempting to trigger an apocalypse.
Europe and the Atlantic (UTC+1 to UTC±0)
Europe's celebrations were characterized by cultural milestones. Paris illuminated the Eiffel Tower with 20,000 strobe lights, and Switzerland enacted a new constitution approved by referendum. In the Netherlands, Radio 2 launched the "Top 2000," a public-voted countdown of the century's greatest hits, ending with Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" at midnight.
London served as a major hub, featuring the "River of Fire" fireworks along the Thames and the opening of the Millennium Dome. A unique artistic endeavor began at midnight: Longplayer, a computer-generated piece of music designed to play for 1,000 years without repeating, ending in December 2999.
In Wales, the Manic Street Preachers performed for 57,000 fans at the Millennium Stadium. Across the UK, the "Ring In 2000" event successfully rang approximately 95% of the country's 45,000 church bells simultaneously at noon on January 1.
The Americas (UTC-1 to UTC-11)
The celebrations moved into the Western Hemisphere, starting with massive beach parties in Rio de Janeiro, where 2.5 million people gathered at Copacabana. In Argentina, the southernmost city of Ushuaia hosted a tango performance by Julio Bocca and Eleonora Cassano.
North America saw a variety of events. In Canada, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien presided over celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, while Celine Dion concluded her world tour in Montreal. In the United States, New York City's Times Square featured a new Waterford Crystal ball and a 24-hour series of global performances.
Other notable US events included Billy Joel's "2000 Years" concert at Madison Square Garden and a ten-hour jam session by the band Phish in Florida. In San Francisco, the Long Now Foundation activated the first prototype of the Clock of the Long Now, a timepiece designed to last 10,000 years.
The final celebrations occurred in the far west. Alaska marked the event with Yupik drumming, though some Anchorage events were canceled due to -8°F temperatures. Finally, Samoa, using the UTC-11 time zone, became the last independent nation to welcome the new millennium.
Millennium Event Summary
| Region/City | Key Event/Highlight | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Kiribati | Millennium Island | First land to see the new millennium |
| Russia | Presidential Address | Resignation of Boris Yeltsin |
| London, UK | Longplayer | 1,000-year non-repeating musical piece |
| New York, USA | Times Square Ball Drop | Global focal point with Waterford Crystal ball |
| San Francisco, USA | Clock of the Long Now | Clock designed to last 10,000 years |
| Samoa | UTC-11 Celebration | Last independent nation to enter 2000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country was the first industrial nation to celebrate the year 2000?
New Zealand was the first industrial nation to celebrate, with a major fireworks display in Auckland's harbor.
What was the "Longplayer" project in London?
Longplayer is a computer-generated musical composition by Jem Finer that started at midnight on January 1, 2000. It is designed to play for 1,000 years without ever repeating, concluding on December 31, 2999.
How did the Clock of the Long Now differ from standard clocks?
The prototype activated in San Francisco is designed to last at least 10,000 years. To accommodate this, its date indicator uses an extra digit (showing "02000" instead of "2000").
What political change occurred in Russia during the millennium transition?
President Boris Yeltsin unexpectedly announced his resignation during his New Year address. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin served as acting president until his election in March 2000.
Why were some celebrations in Seattle canceled?
Security concerns led to the cancellation of most city-wide celebrations following the 1999 WTO protests and the arrest of a man with explosives in nearby Port Angeles.