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Major Events of February 2001: 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 February 2001 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of February 2001: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Feb 2001 Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise Divorce Announcement: Hollywood power couple Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise publicly announced their separation, marking the end of an 11-year marriage that had been closely followed by media and fans worldwide. The split would later be finalized in divorce, signaling a significant moment in celebrity relationship history.
  • 02 Feb 2001 President Bush Initiates Nuclear Arms Policy Review: President George W. Bush orders a comprehensive review of the United States' nuclear arms strategy, signaling potential shifts in national defense and international nuclear policy.
  • 04 Feb 2001 NFL Pro Bowl: AFC Dominates NFC: The American Football Conference (AFC) team decisively defeated the National Football Conference (NFC) team 38-17 in the annual Pro Bowl all-star game. Rich Gannon, quarterback for the Oakland Raiders, was named MVP, leading the AFC's offensive performance with remarkable skill and precision.
  • 05 Feb 2001 Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise announced their separation.
  • 06 Feb 2001 Ariel Sharon Becomes Israeli Prime Minister: Likud Party leader Ariel Sharon wins a decisive election, becoming the Prime Minister of Israel. This marked a significant moment in Israeli political history, as Sharon was known for his hawkish military background and complex political career.
  • 07 Feb 2001 Space Shuttle STS-98 Mission Launch: NASA launched Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-98, successfully delivering the Destiny laboratory module to the International Space Station, significantly expanding the station's research capabilities.
  • 08 Feb 2001 Disney California Adventure Park Grand Opening: Disney's California Adventure theme park officially opened in Anaheim, California, located adjacent to Disneyland. The 55-acre park features three distinct areas: Paradise Pier, Hollywood Pictures Backlot, and Golden State. The massive project cost US$1.4 billion to develop, with initial admission prices set at US$43 for adults and US$33 for children.
  • 09 Feb 2001 USS Greeneville and Ehime Maru Collision: A tragic maritime incident occurred at Pearl Harbor when the USS Greeneville (SSN-772), a US submarine, accidentally collided with the Japanese fishery high-school training ship Ehime Maru. The collision resulted in nine fatalities and approximately $2 million in submarine repairs, causing significant international diplomatic tension.
  • 11 Feb 2001 Anna Kournikova Computer Virus Outbreak: A Dutch programmer launched a notorious computer virus disguised as a photo of tennis star Anna Kournikova, which rapidly spread through email systems worldwide, infecting millions of computers and highlighting the growing cybersecurity vulnerabilities of the early internet era.
  • 12 Feb 2001 First Spacecraft Landing on an Asteroid: The NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft successfully landed on asteroid 433 Eros, marking a historic milestone in space exploration. The spacecraft touched down in the 'saddle' region of the asteroid, becoming the first human-made object to land on an asteroid's surface.
  • 13 Feb 2001 2001 El Salvador Earthquake: On February 13, 2001, a devastating magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck El Salvador, causing widespread destruction across the country and affecting neighboring Guatemala and Honduras. The earthquake resulted in at least 315 confirmed deaths, 3,399 injuries, and extensive infrastructure damage. Numerous landslides occurred in multiple regions of El Salvador, compounding the disaster's impact.
  • 14 Feb 2001 U.S. and British Military Strike Iraqi Targets: United States and British military forces conducted a coordinated aerial operation targeting Iraqi radar stations and air defense command centers, including sites near Baghdad. The military action was justified as a necessary response to perceived Iraqi provocations, further escalating tensions in the region.
  • 15 Feb 2001 All your bases are ours. We have flash/video versions of all the major websites, making us an instant hit.
  • 16 Feb 2001 US and British Forces Bomb Iraqi Air Defenses: As part of the ongoing Iraq disarmament crisis, British and U.S. military forces conducted strategic bombing raids targeting Iraqi air defense networks in Baghdad. The military operation resulted in three civilian casualties in a Baghdad suburb, escalating tensions in the region.
  • 17 Feb 2001 Dale Earnhardt's Fatal Crash: Legendary NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Sr. tragically died from injuries sustained during a catastrophic crash in the final lap of the Daytona 500. His death shocked the racing world and led to significant safety improvements in motorsports.
  • 18 Feb 2001 FBI Agent Robert Hanssen Arrested for Espionage: FBI agent Robert Hanssen was arrested for extensive espionage activities against the United States, having spied for the Soviet Union for over 25 years. His betrayal was considered one of the most damaging counterintelligence failures in FBI history. Hanssen was ultimately convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
  • 19 Feb 2001 Oklahoma City National Memorial: The Oklahoma City National Memorial serves as a poignant tribute and museum commemorating the victims, survivors, and community impact of the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing. The site preserves the memory of this tragic domestic terrorist attack and promotes understanding of its historical significance.
  • 20 Feb 2001 First Draft of Human Genome Published: The first comprehensive draft of the human genome is published in the journal 'Nature', marking a groundbreaking milestone in genetic research and human understanding of our biological blueprint. This publication represented a collaborative international effort that would revolutionize medical science and genetic research.
  • 21 Feb 2001 FBI Agent Charged with Espionage: In a significant counterintelligence case, an FBI agent was charged with spying for Russia, exposing critical vulnerabilities within U.S. intelligence agencies and reigniting Cold War-era security concerns.
  • 23 Feb 2001 Taliban Destruction of Bamyan Buddha Statues: In a shocking act of cultural vandalism, the Taliban systematically destroyed two monumental Buddha statues carved into the cliffs of Bamyan Valley, Afghanistan. These ancient sculptures, dating back to the 6th century, were UNESCO World Heritage sites and represented significant Buddhist artistic and historical heritage. The destruction was carried out using explosives and artillery, effectively erasing centuries of cultural history in an ideologically motivated act of iconoclasm.
  • 24 Feb 2001 Historic Milestone: First African American U.S. Senator: On this day, Hiram Rhodes Revels made history by being sworn in as the first African American to serve in the United States Senate. Representing Mississippi during the Reconstruction era, Revels broke a significant racial barrier in American political representation, paving the way for future generations of African American legislators.
  • 25 Feb 2001 Death of Sir Donald Bradman, Cricket Legend: Sir Donald Bradman, widely regarded as the greatest cricket player of the 20th century, passed away at the age of 92. Known for his extraordinary batting skills and unparalleled statistical performance, Bradman revolutionized cricket and set records that remain unbroken to this day. His test batting average of 99.94 is considered one of the most remarkable achievements in sports history.
  • 26 Feb 2001 Destruction of Bamiyan Buddha Statues: The Taliban systematically destroyed two monumental Buddha statues carved into the cliff face of the Bamiyan valley in Afghanistan, representing a devastating act of cultural vandalism. These ancient statues, dating back to the 6th century, were UNESCO World Heritage sites and among the largest standing Buddha statues in the world before their deliberate demolition.
  • 27 Feb 2001 Loganair Flight 670A crashes while attempting to make a water landing in the Firth of Forth in Scotland.
  • 28 Feb 2001 2001 Nisqually Earthquake: A significant intraslab earthquake struck the Pacific Northwest on February 28, 2001, at 10:54:32 local time. Measuring 6.8 on the moment magnitude scale with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe), the earthquake's epicenter was located in the southern Puget Sound, northeast of Olympia. The tremor was felt across multiple states and regions, including Oregon, British Columbia, eastern Washington, and Idaho. The earthquake caused extensive property damage estimated between $1-4 billion, resulted in one fatality from a heart attack, and injured several hundred people.