19992004

1999–2004 denotes the span from 1999 through 2004, a period of notable transition at the turn of the millennium. It encompasses the tail end of the 1990s, the early maturation of digital globalization, and the initial shaping of 21st‑century geopolitics and technology. Major themes include economic adjustments after the dot-com bubble, the expansion of European integration, and the emergence of new forms of media and communication.

In international politics, the period saw ongoing conflicts and realignments. The NATO bombing and subsequent conflict in Yugoslavia culminated in 1999, and Kosovo’s dispute remained a focal regional issue. The euro began as a virtual currency in 1999 and entered physical circulation in 2002, marking a new monetary framework for many European Union members. The attacks of September 11, 2001, triggered a broad US-led War on Terror, with the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and the 2003 invasion of Iraq shaping global security policy. In 2004, a major enlargement of the European Union added ten new member states: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. The year also saw the Madrid train bombings, a major terrorist attack in Europe, and the SARS outbreak of 2003 affected public health responses worldwide.

Economically, the period began with the bursting of the dot-com bubble and a protracted downturn in technology stocks, followed by gradual recovery. The technology sector shifted toward mobile and broadband, with Windows XP released in 2001 and the rise of online information platforms such as Wikipedia (launched in 2001). In culture and media, the era featured the emergence of global entertainment franchises, including The Lord of the Rings film trilogy (2001–2003) and the Harry Potter adaptations (2001, 2002, 2004). Online services expanded, with the launch of Facebook in 2004 and the continued growth of e-commerce and digital media.