Weekly Online Lesson Online Lesson Archive Grade Level: 7-12 Subject: History

A Millennium Begins and Ends

For the first time in living memory, the world celebrated the simultaneous end of a year, a decade, a century, and a millennium. There are some who argue that millennial celebrations were a year premature, but for the festive millions around the globe who watched hour by hour as their calendar year earned a new initial digit, questioning the official millennium start date was a moot point. There were no major Y2K meltdowns and no bombings, which gave everyone extra cause to be cheerful.

In this week's online lesson the celebration continues. It's a chance to reflect on the last few days and the last thousand years.

Images of a Grand Revelry

A picture is worth a thousand years. If you missed any of the world's New Year events, here's the recap. Start with Y2K Around the World from MSNBC, a photo essay of 16 images showing fireworks and pageantry as people around the world got caught up in the spirit of the night.

Wait, there's more. Drop over to CNN Interactive and visit @2000, an in-depth report. The Global Events Guide shows significant celebration spots around the world along with a summary of what went on there. Click each place to learn more. For example, click Kiribati (far right), the first spot on earth to turn Y2K. In the new window that opens, learn about the celebrations there (including videos), or click the Photo Essays tab to see more images of the island. Use the menu on the left to visit places in the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.

You could explore these spots for hours (you can always come back), but break away to view the photo essay called In Pictures, One world, many parties. Of the two photo essays you've seen, which is your favorite image? Which city do you think had the coolest fireworks?

Now extend your photo viewing beyond the year end celebration by exploring MSNBC's The Year in Pictures 1999. Choose from six categories: Concerning America, Cultural Conflicts, A Changing World, Nature Strikes Back, Try Not to Grin, and The Century.

When you've seen them all, vote for your favorite image.

Stories of the Century

What were the top news stories of the 20th Century? Opinions vary, but results from polls of professional journalists and the public are compiled at Newseum's Stories of the Century site. You'll find several ways to view the information: compare public vs. journalist votes, compare male vs. female votes, or view the stories in a timeline format. Try the latter by clicking on the View Journalist's Timeline link (you need a 4.0 or better browser to open it). The page opens at Sigmund Freud's publication of "The Interpretation of Dreams," which wins the honor of being the first important story of the century. Follow the timeline along the top, clicking on the numbers to see the event (some stories, like the Wright Brothers #4, include videos). Explore all 100 in this easy-to-navigate format.

For more stories and views of the 20th Century, browse to the ABC News 2000 site called The Century. There's a lot here to explore, but focus on the Timelines, which are divided by theme and decade along the top of the page. And if you have a fast Internet connection, you'll enjoy watching key Video Moments of the century.

A Thousand Years of History

If a century of history isn't enough for you to study this week, how about a millennium? Visit CNN's MillenniuM site, a companion to the series (scheduled to run again in July 2000). There are ten episodes, one highlighting each century. Click an episode to launch its respective site, all of which require Flash multimedia capability. After each intro plays and the world map appears. From here you can recap the century, delve into unsolved history, dine with a famous person, read profiles and more.

Feel free to get lost here. In terms of both content and design, this is one of the best educational sites on the Web.

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