2002 World History
Jacques Chirac
(1932–)
Tony Blair
(1953–)
Hugo Chavez
(1954–)
Hu Jintao
(1942–)
Luiz Ignácio Lula
da
Silva
(1945–)
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2002
- The euro currency debuts in 12 European countries (Jan. 2).
U.S. takes Taliban and al-Qaeda prisoners to Guantanamo Bay (Jan.
10). Defrocked priest John Geoghan convicted of child molestation;
church's role in cover-up sparks national outrage (Jan. 18). U.S.
reporter Daniel Pearl kidnapped in Pakistan (Jan.
23). Kenneth L. Lay, chairman
of bankrupt energy trader Enron, resigns; company under federal
investigation for hiding debt and misrepresenting earnings (Jan.
24). President Bush's first State of Union address labels Iran, Iraq, and North Korea “an
axis of evil” (Jan. 29). Queen Elizabeth II of
England marks 50 years as monarch (Feb 6). The trial of Slobodan
Milosevic on charges of
crimes against humanity opens at The Hague (Feb. 12). American
Taliban soldier John Walker Lindh charged
with supporting terrorism (Feb. 13). Reporter Pearl confirmed
dead in Pakistan (Feb. 21). Angolan UNITA rebel leader Jonas Savimbi killed in
battle (Feb. 22). Tamil Tigers and Sri Lankan government sign a
cease-fire agreement (Feb. 22). Hundreds in India die in
Hindu-Muslim clashes (March 2). U.S. and Afghan troops launch
Operation Anaconda against remaining al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters in
Afghanistan (March
2). Saudi peace proposal—offering Israel normal relations with
all Arab nations in return for withdrawal from occupied
territories—approved at Arab League summit
(March 28). Israeli tanks and warplanes attack West Bank towns of
Nablus, Jenin, Bethlehem, and others in response to string of
Palestinian suicide attacks. In the first three months of 2002, 14
suicide bombers killed dozens of Israeli civilians and wounded hundreds
(March 29–April 21). Israeli prime minister Sharon calls for exile of
Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat (April
2). UNITA Rebels and Angolan government sign a cease-fire ending 30
years of civil war (April 4). International Criminal Court wins
UN ratification, but U.S. refuses to ratify (April 11).
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez ousted in
coup, then reinstated (April 12, 14). U.S. and Russia reach
landmark arms agreement to cut both countries' nuclear arsenals by up to
two-thirds over the next ten years (May 13). East Timor becomes a new
nation (May 20). In letter to Director, FBI lawyer Coleen Rowley
criticizes FBI for thwarting terrorist efforts (May 21). Dirty
bomb plot foiled with arrest of Jose Padilla (June 10). U.S.
abandons 31-year-old Antiballistic Missile treaty
(June 13). At national conference, U.S. bishops recommend zero
tolerance policy for priests who abuse children (June 14).
Arthur Andersen firm convicted of destroying documents relating to
former client Enron Corp. (June 15). Bush announces U.S. will not
recognize an independent Palestinian state until Yasir Arafat is
replaced (June 24). WorldCom, after admitting to misstating
profits, files for bankruptcy—largest claim in U.S. history
(July 21). Pennsylvania miners rescued after spending 77 hours in a
dark, flooded mine shaft (July 28). Bush signs corporate reform
bill in response to spate of corporate scandals (July 30). Bush
addresses United Nations, calls for a “regime change” in
Iraq (Sept. 12). Tyco executives L. Dennis Kozlowski and Mark
Swartz indicted in stock-fraud scheme (Sept. 12). Terrorist bomb
in Bali kills hundreds
(Oct. 12). Government suspended in Northern Ireland in
protest of suspected IRA spy ring (Oct. 14). Former ImClone
Executive Sam Waksal pleads guilty to charges including fraud and
perjury (Oct. 15). North Korea admits to developing nuclear arms
in defiance of treaty (Oct. 16). Vatican calls for softening of
U.S. bishops' abuse policy (Oct. 18). Chechen rebels take 763
hostages in Moscow theater; Russian authorities release a gas into
theater, killing 116 hostages and freeing remaining survivors (Oct.
23–26). Snipers prey upon DC suburbs, killing ten and wounding
others (Oct. 2–24). Police arrest two sniper suspects, John
Allen Muhammad and John Lee Malvo (Oct. 24). CIA kills six
al-Qaeda members in Yemen (Nov. 4).
Republicans retake the Senate in midterm elections; gain additional
House seats (Nov. 5). UN Security Council passes unanimous
resolution calling on Iraq to disarm or else face “serious
consequences” (Nov. 8). China's Jiang Zemin officially
retires as general secretary; Hu Jintao named as his
successor (Nov. 14). UN arms inspectors return to Iraq (Nov.
18). EPA relaxes Clean Air Act (Nov. 22). Bush signs
legislation creating cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security
(Nov. 25). Boston archbishop Cardinal Bernard Law resigns over
growing child sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church (Dec.
13). Trent Lott steps down as
Republican leader after furor over pro-segregationist remark (Dec.
20). Sen. Bill Frist unanimously elected Republican leader of the
Senate (Dec. 23).
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