Millennium

Despite concerns about the Y2K problem and controversy over when the 3rd millennium actually began, the year 2000 inspired the largest celebration in history. Festivities were held all over the world. Some of the biggest events occurred at the Great Pyramid at Giza, Egypt; at Times Square in New York City; in Sydney, Australia (home of the Olympic Games in 2000); and at the Millennium Dome in Greenwich, England. The largest millennial pilgrimage site was Rome, Italy, where the Great Jubilee, or Holy Year, celebrations marked the 3rd millennium of Christianity. Jerusalem and various sites of biblical importance attracted millions of people as well. Events were held at places that some people believe are sacred, such as the ancient monument Stonehenge in England and the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru. Other popular locations included numerous South Pacific islands near the International Date Line that offered the first glimpses of dawn on January 1, 2000.