20 iconic photos of the early 2000s, from power couples to history-making moments

Erin McDowellNov 19, 2020, 21:28 IST

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake at the AMAs in 2001.Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage/Getty Images

The early 2000s saw the rise of reality television, from the premiere of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" to the first season of "The Bachelor."
Musical artists like Lady Gaga and Mariah Carey dominated the industry, while power couples like Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake kept the tabloids talking.
The "aughts" also gave rise to social media networks, the first iPhone, and the first camera phone technology.
But there were also major news events that changed America forever.

The early 2000s were a time of emerging technology, iconic power couples, and new TV shows that left a lasting impact.

Yet the "aughts" also bore witness to unforgettable moments in US history, from 9/11 to the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Here are 20 photos of iconic pop culture moments, advancements in technology, and major news events that defined the aughts.

In the 2000s, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were the power couple no one could get enough of.

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston at the premiere of "Rock Star" in September 2001. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake were another power couple that dominated the pop culture scene in the early 2000s.

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake at the AMAs in 2001. Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage/Getty Images

Talking of fashion moments, early 2000s style included a lot of Juicy Couture, low-rise jeans, and oversized sunglasses.

Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton in 2008. PhotoNews International Inc./FilmMagic/Getty Images

The first cell phone with a built-in camera became widely available in 2002.

The mobile phone J-SH53 in 2003. YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images

Mark Zuckerberg launched "The Facebook," which he built inside his Harvard dorm, on February 4, 2004.

Mark Zuckerberg photographed at Eliot House at Harvard University on May 14, 2004. Rick Friedman/Corbis/Getty Images

Apple released the first iPhone in 2007.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs holds up the new iPhone at Macworld on January 9, 2007. David Paul Morris/Getty Images

Janet Jackson had an infamous wardrobe malfunction while performing with Justin Timberlake at Super Bowl XXXVII.

Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake perform at half-time at Super Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium, on February 1, 2004, in Houston, Texas. JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images

Mariah Carey swept the 48th Annual Grammy Awards in 2006.

Mariah Carey at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards in 2006. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc/Getty Images

Lady Gaga broke out onto the scene in 2008 with her debut album "The Fame."

Lady Gaga accepts the award for "Best New Artist" from Eminem during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Reality TV reached new heights in the 2000s. In 2002, the very first episode of "The Bachelor" premiered.

The first episode of "The Bachelor." Craig Sjodin/Walt Disney Television/Getty Images

"Lost" also premiered in the early 2000s.

The cast of "Lost" attend the premiere of the show in 2004. Marco Garcia/Getty Images

"Gilmore Girls" celebrated its 100th episode on January 31, 2005.

The cast of "Gilmore Girls" celebrates the show's 100th episode in 2005. Kevin Winter/Getty Images

"Keeping Up With the Kardashians" premiered on October 9, 2007.

The Kardashians. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

In the early 2000s, there were also multiple moments in US politics that captured the world's attention. George W. Bush was sworn in as president in 2001.

George W. Bush is sworn in on January 20, 2001. Wally McNamee/CORBIS/Corbis/Getty Images

In a now-famous photograph, President Bush received the news about the 9/11 terrorist attacks while visiting an elementary school.

President George W. Bush receiving the news about the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Doug Mills/AP

The 9/11 terrorist attacks claimed more than 2,500 lives.

The Twin Towers up in smoke on September 11, 2001. Robert Giroux/Getty Images

Former US President Ronald Reagan died on June 5, 2004, in Bel Air, California, at the age of 93.

Former first lady Nancy Reagan touches the casket of her husband during his state funeral on Capitol Hill on June 9, 2004. Peter Jones-Pool/Getty Images

At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, Usain Bolt of Jamaica broke a world record in the 100-meter male sprinting event.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica reacts after breaking the world record to win the gold medal in the Men's 200m Final. Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

In a case that gripped the country, former Illinois policeman Drew Peterson was charged with murdering his third wife and was named a suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife.

Drew Peterson leaves the Will County Jail in his attorney's car in 2008. Scott Olson/Getty Images

In a case that gripped the country, former Illinois policeman Drew Peterson was charged with murdering his third wife and was named a suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife.

At the end of the decade, Barack Obama became the first Black man to be sworn in as president of the United States.

Barack Obama and Michelle Obama dance at the Inaugural Ball on January 20, 2009, in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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20 iconic photos of the early 2000s, from power couples to history-making moments

In the 2000s, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were the power couple no one could get enough of.

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake were another power couple that dominated the pop culture scene in the early 2000s.

Talking of fashion moments, early 2000s style included a lot of Juicy Couture, low-rise jeans, and oversized sunglasses.

The first cell phone with a built-in camera became widely available in 2002.

Mark Zuckerberg launched "The Facebook," which he built inside his Harvard dorm, on February 4, 2004.

Apple released the first iPhone in 2007.

Janet Jackson had an infamous wardrobe malfunction while performing with Justin Timberlake at Super Bowl XXXVII.

Mariah Carey swept the 48th Annual Grammy Awards in 2006.

Lady Gaga broke out onto the scene in 2008 with her debut album "The Fame."

Reality TV reached new heights in the 2000s. In 2002, the very first episode of "The Bachelor" premiered.

"Lost" also premiered in the early 2000s.

"Gilmore Girls" celebrated its 100th episode on January 31, 2005.

"Keeping Up With the Kardashians" premiered on October 9, 2007.

In the early 2000s, there were also multiple moments in US politics that captured the world's attention. George W. Bush was sworn in as president in 2001.

In a now-famous photograph, President Bush received the news about the 9/11 terrorist attacks while visiting an elementary school.

The 9/11 terrorist attacks claimed more than 2,500 lives.

Former US President Ronald Reagan died on June 5, 2004, in Bel Air, California, at the age of 93.

At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, Usain Bolt of Jamaica broke a world record in the 100-meter male sprinting event.

In a case that gripped the country, former Illinois policeman Drew Peterson was charged with murdering his third wife and was named a suspect in the disappearance of his fourth wife.

At the end of the decade, Barack Obama became the first Black man to be sworn in as president of the United States.