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Major Events of March 2000: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from March 2000 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of March 2000: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Mar 2000 Hans Blix Elected to UNMOVIC Leadership: Hans Blix, a prominent Swedish diplomat and international civil servant, was elected as the Executive Chairman of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC), a critical role in international weapons inspection efforts.
  • 02 Mar 2000 Pinochet Returns to Chile After UK Legal Battle: Former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet was allowed to return home to Chile after the United Kingdom declined to extradite him on torture charges, concluding a significant international legal confrontation regarding human rights violations.
  • 03 Mar 2000 Croatian General Convicted of War Crimes: The United Nations war crimes tribunal sentenced Croatian General Tihomir Blaskic to 45 years in prison for directing systematic attacks on Bosnian Muslim villages during the Bosnian War between 1992 and 1994. This landmark verdict highlighted international efforts to prosecute war crimes committed during the Yugoslav conflicts.
  • 04 Mar 2000 Sony PlayStation 2 Launch in Japan: Sony released the groundbreaking PlayStation 2 video game console in Japan, marking a significant milestone in gaming technology. The system boasted impressive specifications for its time, including a 294.912 MHz 128-bit Emotion Engine processor, 32 MB RAM, and a 147.456 MHz Graphics Synthesizer. The console was priced at 39,800 yen and achieved remarkable commercial success, selling one million units in its first weekend, demonstrating the immense popularity of the PlayStation brand.
  • 06 Mar 2000 AMD Launches First 1 GHz Commercial Processor: Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) shipped the first commercially-available 1 GHz processor, marking a significant milestone in computer processor technology and performance capabilities.
  • 07 Mar 2000 2000 US Presidential Primary Results: Al Gore and George W. Bush secured decisive victories in their respective party primaries, setting the stage for a pivotal presidential election that would significantly impact American political history.
  • 08 Mar 2000 Tokyo Metro Train Collision: On March 8, 2000, a tragic sideswipe collision between two Tokyo Metro trains resulted in the deaths of five people. The incident highlighted potential safety concerns in Tokyo's complex urban rail transportation system.
  • 09 Mar 2000 James Earl Ray's Guilty Plea for MLK Assassination: James Earl Ray formally pleaded guilty to the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. He was sentenced to 99 years in prison for the murder, which was a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement and American history.
  • 10 Mar 2000 Dot-Com Bubble Bursts: The NASDAQ Composite stock market index peaks at 5,408.60, marking the definitive turning point of the dot-com era and the beginning of a significant market correction in technology stocks.
  • 11 Mar 2000 Lonestar's 'Amazed' Tops US Music Charts: The country ballad 'Amazed' by Lonestar was the number one song in the United States during the week of March 6-12, 2000. The song, known for its emotional lyrics and powerful vocals, dominated the Billboard music charts during this period.
  • 12 Mar 2000 Pope John Paul II's Historic Apology: Pope John Paul II issued a landmark apology for historical wrongdoings committed by members of the Roman Catholic Church, acknowledging past transgressions and seeking reconciliation across various historical conflicts and injustices.
  • 14 Mar 2000 UN Tribunal Sentences Croatian General for War Crimes: The United Nations International Criminal Tribunal convicted General Tihomir Blaskic of war crimes for directing systematic attacks against Bosnian Muslim villages during the Bosnian War. Blaskic was sentenced to 45 years in prison for his role in orchestrating ethnic violence between 1992 and 1994.
  • 15 Mar 2000 Battle of Halmyros: Catalan Company's Conquest of Athens: In a decisive medieval military engagement, the Catalan Company, a renowned mercenary group, defeated Walter V, Count of Brienne, effectively seizing control of the Duchy of Athens. This battle represented a significant geopolitical shift in the Mediterranean region during the early 14th century, demonstrating the power and influence of mercenary forces in medieval territorial conflicts.
  • 16 Mar 2000 Dow Jones Industrial Average Experiences Massive Single-Day Gain: On March 16, 2000, the Dow Jones Industrial Average achieved a remarkable performance, surging 499.19 points, representing a 4.93% increase. This substantial gain marked the second-largest point gain in a single trading day, signaling significant market optimism and potential economic momentum during the early dot-com era.
  • 17 Mar 2000 Ugandan Cult Mass Tragedy: On March 17, 2000, a devastating incident occurred involving the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God, a religious cult in Uganda. Approximately 778 members died in what investigators believe was a deliberate mass murder or orchestrated mass suicide. The tragedy unfolded with 530 members perishing in a fire at a cult location, and an additional 248 members found dead elsewhere. The event shocked the international community and raised serious questions about cult dynamics and leadership manipulation.
  • 18 Mar 2000 Chen Shui-bian Elected President of Taiwan: Chen Shui-bian of the Democratic Progressive Party was elected President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), ending the Kuomintang's 55-year continuous political rule. This election marked a significant turning point in Taiwanese political history, representing a shift towards a more pro-independence stance and democratic transition.
  • 19 Mar 2000 President Bill Clinton's State Visit to India: President Bill Clinton arrived in New Delhi, India, for an official state visit, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between the United States and India at the turn of the millennium. This visit was part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and discuss strategic cooperation between the two nations.
  • 20 Mar 2000 Pope John Paul II's Historic Holy Land Pilgrimage: Pope John Paul II embarked on a significant diplomatic and spiritual journey, visiting Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. This pilgrimage was part of the Pope's efforts to promote interfaith dialogue and reconciliation in one of the world's most complex geopolitical regions.
  • 21 Mar 2000 Pope John Paul II's Historic Visit to Israel: Pope John Paul II began the first official visit by a Roman Catholic pontiff to Israel, marking a significant moment in interfaith relations and diplomatic history. This groundbreaking trip aimed to build bridges between the Catholic Church and the Jewish community, addressing historical tensions and promoting mutual understanding.
  • 24 Mar 2000 S&P 500 Index Reaches Peak Before Dot-Com Bubble Collapse: The S&P 500 index reached a significant intraday peak of 1,552.87, marking a pivotal moment in financial history just before the dramatic dot-com bubble burst. This peak represented the zenith of the late 1990s tech-driven market euphoria, which would soon dramatically unravel.
  • 25 Mar 2000 American Beauty Triumphs at 72nd Academy Awards: At the 72nd Academy Awards, the critically acclaimed film *American Beauty* achieved significant recognition. Kevin Spacey won Best Actor for his compelling performance, while Hilary Swank was honored with the Best Actress award. The film's success highlighted the year's cinematic achievements and marked a notable moment in Hollywood's annual celebration of film excellence.
  • 26 Mar 2000 Russian Presidential Election: Vladimir Putin is elected President of Russia, marking a significant turning point in Russian political history. An ex-KGB officer, Putin's election came at a critical moment following the economic turmoil of the 1990s. His presidency would be characterized by efforts to stabilize the country economically and politically, though increasingly criticized for authoritarian tendencies.
  • 27 Mar 2000 Phillips Petroleum Plant Explosion in Pasadena, Texas: On March 27, 2000, a catastrophic explosion occurred at the Phillips Petroleum plant in Pasadena, Texas, resulting in one fatality and 71 injuries. The incident highlighted significant industrial safety concerns and prompted investigations into the cause and prevention of such industrial accidents.
  • 28 Mar 2000 Three children are killed in an accident where a CSX freighttrain hits a Murray County school bus.
  • 30 Mar 2000 America's Cup 2000 Sailing Race: Team New Zealand successfully defended their America's Cup title near Auckland, decisively defeating the Prada Challenge 2000 with a 5-0 sweep in the best-of-9 series. This victory solidified New Zealand's dominance in international sailing competition.
  • 31 Mar 2000 Dr. Harold Shipman Convicted of Mass Murder: Dr. Harold Shipman, a British family physician, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 15 patients in Greater Manchester. A subsequent inquiry revealed he may have been responsible for the deaths of at least 215 people, making him one of the most prolific serial killers in modern history.