View source for 2002

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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Events by month|2002|prefix=Portal:Current events/}}
{{About year|2002}}
[[File:2002 image.png|
'''From left to right, top to bottom:'''
<ul>
<li>Memorial for the victims of the '''[[2002 Bali bombings]]''', which killed 202 people;</li>
<li>[[Vladimir Putin]] visiting hospitalized hostages of the '''[[Moscow theater hostage crisis]]''', in which 132 of the 912 hostages are killed;</li>
<li>The '''[[2002 FIFA World Cup]]''' is held in [[South Korea]] and [[Japan]] and was won by [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]];</li>
<li>The '''[[2002 European floods]]''' kill 232 people;</li>
<li>The '''[[2002 Gujarat riots]]''' began after the [[Godhra train burning|train burnings]], resulting in 1,000–2,000 deaths;</li>
<li>'''[[Euro]]''' coins and banknotes are introduced;</li>
<li>'''[[Death and funeral of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother|Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother dies]]''';</li>
<li>The '''[[Prestige oil spill]]''' causes a major environmental disaster in Spain, France, and Portugal;</li>
<li>'''[[East Timor]]''', now known as Timor-Leste, officially gains its independence.</li>
</ul>
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{{Year nav|2002}}
{{Year in various calendars|year=2002}}
{{C21 year in topic}}
{{Year article header|2002}}The effects of the [[September 11 attacks]] of the previous year had a significant impact on the affairs of 2002. The [[war on terror]] was a major political focus. Without settled [[international law]], several nations engaged in anti-terror operations, and human rights concerns arose surrounding the treatment of suspected terrorists. Elsewhere, the [[Colombian conflict]] and the [[Nepalese Civil War]] represented some of the most severe militant conflicts, while the [[2001–2002 India–Pakistan standoff|conflict between India and Pakistan]] was the only one between two sovereign nations. Religious tensions permeated the year, including violence between Hindus and Muslims in India during [[2002 Gujarat riots|violent riots]] and other attacks and attacks on Jews in response to the [[Second Intifada]]. The [[Catholic Church]] grappled with scrutiny amid [[Catholic Church sexual abuse cases|sexual abuse cases]].

Politics and religion in the early months of 2002 is still focused intently on the [[Muslim world]] and [[Islamic terrorism]] over the [[September 11 attacks]] the previous year.

[[Timor-Leste]] was established as a new sovereign nation, and the [[African Union]] began operating as a new intergovernmental organization. The [[International Criminal Court]] was founded in July. The global economy was stagnant as it slowly moved past the [[early 2000s recession]]. South America endured [[South American economic crisis of 2002|an economic crisis]], and the telecommunications and information technology industries faced their own economic declines. The [[Euro]] was introduced as a new currency at the beginning of the year.

The year 2002 was the second hottest on record at the time. Eruptions of [[Mount Nyiragongo]] severely affected surrounding populations in central Africa. The discovery of [[Quaoar]] in October challenged the conventional definition of a planet. [[Small RNA]] was discovered in 2002, and the human ancestor ''[[Sahelanthropus]]'' was first described. The [[Baiji|Baiji dolphin]] was declared functionally extinct from the [[Yangtze|Yangtze River]] in China. 

Norway won the most gold medals in the [[2002 Winter Olympics]], which were held in [[Salt Lake City]]. The popular film franchises [[Harry Potter (film series)|''Harry Potter'']] and [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'']] saw continued success, with ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'' becoming the highest-grossing film of the year, while [[James Bond (film series)|''James Bond'']] and ''[[Star Wars]]'' were less successful than other franchise installments. [[Pop music]] lost its popularity in 2002 amid the rise of [[Country music|country]] and [[Hip hop music|hip hop]], with hip hop artist [[Eminem]] producing the year's most successful album, ''[[The Eminem Show]]''.

{{TOC limit|2}}

== Population ==
The [[world population]] on January 1, 2002, was estimated to be 6.272&nbsp;billion people, and it increased to 6.353&nbsp;billion people by January 1, 2003.<ref name="UN Pop Prospects-2022">{{Cite report |url=https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/MostUsed/ |title=World Population Prospects 2022 |date=2022 |publisher=United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs |access-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-date=July 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711213112/https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/MostUsed/ |url-status=live }}</ref> An estimated 134.0&nbsp;million births and 52.5&nbsp;million deaths took place in 2002.<ref name="UN Pop Prospects-2022" /> The average global [[life expectancy]] was 67.1 years, an increase of 0.3 years from 2001.<ref name="UN Pop Prospects-2022" /> The number of global refugees was approximately 12&nbsp;million at the beginning of 2002, but it declined to 10.3&nbsp;million by the end of the year. Approximately 2.4&nbsp;million refugees were repatriated in 2002, of which 2&nbsp;million were Afghan. 293,000 additional refugees were displaced in 2002, primarily from Liberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Somalia, Ivory Coast, and the Central African Republic.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-06-20 |title=2002 Statistics summary |url=https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/briefing/2003/6/3ef2ecf5f/2002-statistics-summary.html |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328031009/https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/briefing/2003/6/3ef2ecf5f/2002-statistics-summary.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Conflicts ==
{{Main category|Conflicts in 2002}}
There were 31 armed conflicts in 2002 that caused at least 25 fatalities. Five of these resulted in at least 1,000 fatalities: the [[Burundian Civil War]], the [[Colombian conflict]], the [[Kashmir insurgency]], the [[Nepalese Civil War]], and the [[Second Sudanese Civil War]].<ref name=":2" /> Among developed nations in 2002, national defense shifted toward [[counterterrorism]] after the [[September 11 attacks]] and the [[United States invasion of Afghanistan|invasion of Afghanistan]] the previous year. Conflicts in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Israel, and the Philippines were directly related to countering [[Islamic terrorism]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last1=Wiharta |first1=Sharon |title=SIPRI Yearbook 2003: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security |last2=Anthony |first2=Ian |publisher=[[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]] |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-19-926570-1 |pages=87–108 |language=en |chapter=Major armed conflicts |chapter-url=https://www.sipri.org/yearbook/2003/02 |access-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328204444/https://www.sipri.org/yearbook/2003/02 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Rp|page=87}}

=== Internal conflicts ===
The Colombian conflict escalated after far-left insurgents occupied [[demilitarized zone]]s and kidnapped [[Íngrid Betancourt]], effectively ending peace talks. The insurgents began bombing cities, and over 200,000 Colombians were displaced by the conflict in 2002.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|pages=91–92}}

The Nepalese Civil War escalated in 2002, with casualties approximately equaling the combined totals from 1996 to 2001; half of this increase was civilian casualties, as civilians were targeted by both the Nepali government and the communist insurgents.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|pages=88–89}} Chechen insurgents in Russia escalated their attacks during the Second Chechen War, [[2002 Khankala Mi-26 crash|destroying]] a Russian [[Mil Mi-26]] in August and causing [[Moscow theater hostage crisis|a hostage crisis]] in Moscow.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|pages=93–94}} The [[Second Liberian Civil War]] also escalated, causing widespread displacement of civilians.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |url=https://www.unmultimedia.org/searchers/yearbook/page_un2.jsp?volume=2002 |title=Yearbook of the United Nations, 2002 |publisher=United Nations |editor-last=Gordon |editor-first=Kathryn |volume=56 |access-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328235126/https://www.unmultimedia.org/searchers/yearbook/page_un2.jsp?volume=2002 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Rp|page=90}}

Conflicts that saw some form of resolution in 2002 include the [[Eelam War III]] in Sri Lanka, which was halted with a ceasefire agreement in February,<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=98}} and the [[Angolan Civil War]], which was resolved in April with a ceasefire between the Angolan government and [[UNITA]].<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|page=89}} Internationally brokered peace talks advanced in the Second Sudanese Civil War,<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=102}} some factions of the [[Somali Civil War]],<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=106}} and the [[Second Congo War]], with the latter producing an agreement on December 17 to create [[Transitional Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|a Congolese transitional government]].<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|pages=100–101}} Afghanistan underwent its first year without direct military conflict in over two decades, though sporadic attacks were carried out by the [[Taliban insurgency]] and [[al-Qaeda]].<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|page=256}} An agreement was reached with the government of Burundi and the [[CNDD-FDD]] on December 3, but the other major faction in Burundi, the [[Palipehutu-FNL]], did not participate in peace talks.<ref name=":2" />

The largest attack on civilians in 2002 was [[2002 Bali bombings|a series of bombings]] in [[Bali]] that killed or injured hundreds on October 12, with Australian tourists making up a large portion of the victims.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=228}} Major attacks also [[2002 Mombasa attacks|took place in Kenya]] on November 28, bombing Israeli citizens at a hotel and making a failed attempt to shoot down an airplane boarded by Israelis.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=385}} The Washington D.C. area was the subject of [[D.C. sniper attacks|several sniper attacks]] the same month, killing ten people. Europe underwent a large number of [[mass shootings]] throughout the year, including [[Nanterre massacre|an attack]] on a town council meeting in France on March 27 that killed eight councilors and [[Erfurt school massacre|a school shooting]] in Germany on April 26—one of the deadliest in the world with 18 fatalities.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=229}}

=== International conflicts ===
[[File:Operation Defensive Shield 82.jpeg|thumb|The [[Israel Defense Forces]] occupying the [[West Bank]] during [[Operation Defensive Shield]]]]
The only direct conflict between nations in 2002 was the [[2001–2002 India–Pakistan standoff|India–Pakistan standoff]] in Kashmir,<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Eriksson |first1=Mikael |last2=Wallensteen |first2=Peter |last3=Sollenberg |first3=Margareta |date=2003 |title=Armed Conflict, 1989-2002 |journal=Journal of Peace Research |volume=40 |issue=5 |pages=593–607 |doi=10.1177/00223433030405006 |jstor=3648363 }}</ref> beginning in late 2001. This conflict was primarily one of [[brinkmanship]], with the threat of [[nuclear warfare]].<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=88}} Riots in Gujarat and suicide bombings in [[Jammu]] further escalated tensions. However by June 2002 the conflict had ended.<ref name=":15">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/timeannual20030000unse/ |title=Time Annual 2003 |publisher=Time Books |year=2003 |isbn=1-929049-90-0 |issn=1097-5721}}</ref>{{Rp|page=87}}

The [[Second Intifada]] continued in 2002 between the [[Israel Defense Forces]] and Palestinian paramilitary groups with an escalation in violence. Palestinian suicide bombings became coordinated to maximize the number of civilian casualties, while the Israeli military killed approximately twice as many Palestinians in retaliation.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=73}} In response to the suicide bombings, Israel carried out [[Operation Defensive Shield]] in March.<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|page=413}} Under this operation, Israel occupied much of [[West Bank]],<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|page=413}} and it and briefly held Palestinian president [[Yasser Arafat]] under house arrest.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=95}} The [[Battle of Jenin (2002)|Battle of Jenin]] was particularly destructive, with the [[United Nations]] finding both parties to be irresponsible regarding [[collateral damage]].<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=96}}

== Culture ==
=== Art and architecture ===
{{Main|2002 in art|2002 in architecture}}
[[File:Alexandrina Front view.jpg|thumb|Construction of the [[Bibliotheca Alexandrina]] was completed in 2002.]]
Economic downturn in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks limited the art industry in 2002. Organizations were less willing to give [[patronage]], and tourists were less willing to visit art exhibitions and museums, particularly in New York and the Middle East.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=502}} The [[Documenta11]] exhibition took place in [[Kassel]], Germany, contributing to the early movement of art globalization with its focus on experimental and documentary works from developing nations. Traditional visual art was mostly replaced by film and photography at the exhibition.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=503}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-08 |title=The Exhibitions That Defined the 2000s |url=https://www.artnews.com/list/art-in-america/features/the-exhibitions-that-defined-the-2000s-1234578321/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=ARTnews |at=Okwui Enwezor: Making the Art World Global |language=en-US |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329020823/https://www.artnews.com/list/art-in-america/features/the-exhibitions-that-defined-the-2000s-1234578321/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Critically acclaimed paintings in 2002 include [[The Upper Room (paintings)|''The Upper Room'']], a collection of paintings by [[Chris Ofili]] based on a drawing of a monkey by [[Andy Warhol]],<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Searle |first1=Adrian |last2=Jones |first2=Jonathan |last3=O'Hagan |first3=Sean |last4=Judah |first4=Hettie |date=2019-09-17 |title=The best art of the 21st century |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/sep/17/the-best-visual-art-of-the-21st-century |access-date=2023-03-29 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322173823/https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/sep/17/the-best-visual-art-of-the-21st-century |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''Dispersion'', an abstract work by [[Julie Mehretu]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 December 2015 |title=12 Masterpieces of 21st-Century Painting You Need to Know Now |url=http://www.artspace.com/magazine/art_101/phaidon-twenty-first-century-painting-masterpieces-list |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Artspace |language=english}}</ref>

The rebuilding of the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]] was a major focus in the architectural world, and various exhibitions were held to showcase design concepts. The [[Tribute in Light]] was implemented on [[World Trade Center site|the site]] during the interim.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=155}} Egypt began accepting designs for the [[Grand Egyptian Museum]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=234}} New structures constructed or opened in 2002 include the [[Austrian Cultural Forum New York|Austrian Cultural Forum]] in New York, the [[Imperial War Museum North]] in [[Manchester]],<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=156}} the [[Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels]] in Los Angeles, and the [[Bibliotheca Alexandrina]] in [[Alexandria]].<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=506}} The [[Bronx Developmental Center]] in New York and [[Fallingwater]] in Pennsylvania were renovated, and the [[Maslon House]] was demolished in California.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=157}}

=== Media ===
==== Popular media ====
{{Main|2002 in film|2002 in music|2002 in video games}}
[[File:EMINEM rapping Anger management tour 2003 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Eminem]] released the best-selling album of 2002, ''[[The Eminem Show]]''.]]
The highest-grossing film globally in 2002 was ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'', followed by [[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film)|''Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'']] and [[Spider-Man (2002 film)|''Spider-Man'']]. The highest-grossing non-English film was [[Hero (2002 film)|''Hero'']] (Mandarin), the 28th highest-grossing film of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 Worldwide Box Office |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2002/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Box Office Mojo |archive-date=May 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518020259/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Film was marked by several unexpected successes and failures in 2002, including the underwhelming performances of the ''[[Star Wars]]'' film ''[[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones|Attack of the Clones]]'', the ''[[James Bond]]'' film ''[[Die Another Day]]'', and the [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] film ''[[Treasure Planet]]'', as well as the [[Word-of-mouth marketing|word-of-mouth]] success of ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boyar |first=Jay |date=2002-12-28 |title=2002 Year in Review |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2002-12-29-0212280019-story.html |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Orlando Sentinel |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329025658/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2002-12-29-0212280019-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Critically acclaimed films from 2002 include [[Adaptation (film)|''Adaptation'']],''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ebert |first=Roger |date=2002-12-31 |title=The Best 10 Movies of 2002 |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/roger-ebert/the-best-10-movies-of-2002 |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=rogerebert.com |language=en |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329025708/https://www.rogerebert.com/roger-ebert/the-best-10-movies-of-2002 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=A. O. |date=2002-12-29 |title=Film: The Year in Review -- The Critics/The 10 Best; Ravished, Again, by Almodóvar |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/29/movies/film-the-year-in-review-the-critics-the-10-best-ravished-again-by-almodovar-535443.html |access-date=2023-03-29 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329025657/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/29/movies/film-the-year-in-review-the-critics-the-10-best-ravished-again-by-almodovar-535443.html |url-status=live }}</ref>''<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last1=Phipps |first1=Keith |last2=Rabin |first2=Nathan |last3=Tobias |first3=Scott |date=2003-01-15 |title=The Year In Film: 2002 |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-year-in-film-2002-1798208253 |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329025657/https://www.avclub.com/the-year-in-film-2002-1798208253 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Far from Heaven]]'',''<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" />''<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=2016-08-19 |title=The 21st Century's 100 greatest films |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20160819-the-21st-centurys-100-greatest-films |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=BBC |language=en |archive-date=August 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817230650/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20160819-the-21st-centurys-100-greatest-films |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[Talk to Her]]''.<ref name=":5" />''<ref name=":6" />''<ref name=":7" />

Music sales in 2002 amounted to about 3 billion units, a decline of 8% from 2001. [[CD]] albums remained the dominant form of music, making up 89% of the market. [[DVD]] music sales increased by 40%, while [[cassette tape]] music sales decreased by 36%.<ref>{{Cite report |url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/worldsales2002.pdf |title=The Recording Industry World Sales |date=2003 |publisher=[[IFPI]] |access-date=2023-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201940/http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/worldsales2002.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-03}}</ref> [[Pop music]] saw a major decline in 2002 as it was overtaken by [[country music|country]] and [[hip hop music]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Strauss |first=Neil |date=2002-12-26 |title=The Year That Pop Lost Popularity; In the Roster of No. 1 CD's, Extreme Genres Led the Pack |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/26/arts/year-that-pop-lost-popularity-roster-no-1-cd-s-extreme-genres-led-pack.html |access-date=2023-03-29 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329040336/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/26/arts/year-that-pop-lost-popularity-roster-no-1-cd-s-extreme-genres-led-pack.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Globally, the best-selling albums in 2002 were ''[[The Eminem Show]]'' by [[Eminem]], followed by [[Let Go (Avril Lavigne album)|''Let Go'']] by [[Avril Lavigne]] and the [[Elvis Presley]] greatest hits album [[ELV1S: 30 No. 1 Hits|''ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits'']]. The best-selling non-English album was [[Mensch (album)|''Mensch'']] ({{Translation|Human}}) by German singer [[Herbert Grönemeyer]], the 29th best-selling album overall.<ref name="ifpi">{{Cite web |title=2000-2005 Top 50 Albums [XLS] |url=https://www.ifpi.org/content/library/top-5-albums-2000-2005.xls |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323114337/http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/top-5-albums-2000-2005.xls |archive-date=2012-03-23 |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=[[IFPI]]}}</ref>

[[Sony]] and [[Microsoft]] introduced [[Online game|online gaming services]] for the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Xbox]] consoles, respectively.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=174}} Critically acclaimed video games released in 2002 include ''[[Eternal Darkness]]'', ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]]'', ''[[Metroid Prime]]'', ''[[Metroid Fusion]]'', and ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Notis |first1=Ari  |last2=Zwiezen |first2=Zack  |date=2022-07-01 |title=Let's Remember How Amazing 2002 Was For Video Games |url=https://kotaku.com/best-video-games-of-2002-metroid-prime-thps4-1849135720 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329055623/https://kotaku.com/best-video-games-of-2002-metroid-prime-thps4-1849135720 |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fox |first=Tanner |date=2022-04-04 |title=10 Greatest Video Games Of 2002, According To Metacritic |url=https://screenrant.com/metacritic-best-video-games-2002/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=ScreenRant |language=en |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329055616/https://screenrant.com/metacritic-best-video-games-2002/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The 100 Best Video Games and PC Games From the 2000s |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/the-best-video-games-of-the-2000s |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Complex |date=August 23, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329055624/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/the-best-video-games-of-the-2000s |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Medal of Honor: Allied Assault]]'' was influential in the war-based [[first-person shooter]] genre with its portrayal of grand cinematic battles. 2002 was the final year of traditional [[survival horror]] before it was overtaken by action-based survival horror games in franchises such as ''[[Resident Evil]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Ed |date=2016-06-09 |title=Why 2002 Was Possibly the Most Important Year in Video Gaming History |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/why-2002-was-possibly-the-most-important-year-in-video-gaming-history-244/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Vice |language=en |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329055622/https://www.vice.com/en/article/wdbe79/why-2002-was-possibly-the-most-important-year-in-video-gaming-history-244 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Libraries, press, and radio ====
{{Further|2002 in radio}}
Costa Rica was celebrated for an advance in [[free speech]] when it abolished criminal penalties for insulting public officials.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=275}} [[Radio in India]] became more popular in 2002 following deregulation, with five major stations in [[Mumbai]] breaking the [[state monopoly]] in April and with significant increases in the sales of car and pocket radios. ''[[Good Morning Afghanistan]]'' began airing to provide the Afghan people real-time updates on the nation's political situation, while [[Radio Liberty]] was expelled from Russia in October.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=272}} An expected recovery of the newspaper industry did not materialize in 2002 as digital media became more common, resulting in significant cutbacks.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=273}} The magazine industry faced similar challenges, as well as a separate controversy when the February 11 issue of ''[[Newsweek International]]'' was banned throughout the [[Muslim world]] for its [[depiction of Muhammed]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=275}}

The [[British Library]] digitized a 700-year-old edition of the [[Quran]], and the U.S. [[Library of Congress]] made high resolution scans of a [[Gutenberg Bible]] for closer study of Gutenberg's printing methods. Library services faced multiple disruptions in 2002. Strikes by librarians affected operations in both the United Kingdom and the United States, while funding shortages led to cutbacks in Germany, South Africa, and the United States.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=233}}

=== Sports ===
{{Main|2002 in sports}}
[[File:SLC flags opening ceremony.jpg|thumb|The [[2002 Winter Olympics]] were held in [[Salt Lake City]].]]
The [[2002 Winter Olympics]] were held in [[Salt Lake City]], with Norway winning the most gold medals. [[2002 Winter Olympics figure skating scandal|Allegations]] that a judge was bribed to favor Russia in a [[Figure skating at the 2002 Winter Olympics|figure skating event]] led to Canada and Russia both receiving gold medals in the event.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=515}}<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=2002 World Sports Highlights |url=https://www.topendsports.com/world/timeline/2002.htm |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Top End Sports |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329062009/https://www.topendsports.com/world/timeline/2002.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[2002 Commonwealth Games]] were held in [[Manchester]].<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=516}} The [[2002 FIFA World Cup]] was held in Japan and South Korea, and it ended with a 2–0 victory by Brazil over Germany. The traditionally well-performing teams of Argentina, France, and Italy did not meet expectations, while Senegal, South Korea, Turkey, and the United States performed better than they had historically.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=513}}

[[Michael Schumacher]] significantly exceeded his competition and set numerous records with the [[Ferrari F2002]] during the [[2002 Formula One World Championship]], prompting the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] to make several rule changes; this included reforms for [[team orders]] following a controversial move at the [[2002 Austrian Grand Prix]] in which Schumacher's teammate [[Rubens Barrichello]] moved aside to let him win.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=317}} In boxing, the [[Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson]] was preceded by a scuffle during a press conference. [[Lennox Lewis]] went on to defeat [[Mike Tyson]].<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=520}}<ref name=":8" /> Tennis was widely covered in 2002 when three of the four [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]] tournaments ended with [[Serena Williams]] defeating her sister [[Venus Williams]] in the finals.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=352}} In [[American football]], the [[Tuck Rule Game]] between the [[New England Patriots]] and the [[Oakland Raiders]] became a national controversy after officials cited the obscure [[Tuck rule (American football)|tuck rule]] to challenge a pass by [[Tom Brady]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=King |date=2003-01-01 |title=2002: The year in sports |url=https://www.salon.com/2002/12/31/year_in_sports_3/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Salon |language=en |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329062014/https://www.salon.com/2002/12/31/year_in_sports_3/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[New Zealand All Blacks]] received wide attention in rugby union for its victory in the [[2002 Tri Nations Series]], making a comeback performance following its losses in previous years.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=340}} [[Bruno Peyron]] set the record for the fastest [[circumnavigation]] by sailing in 2002, making the trip in 64 days.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=521}}

== Economy ==
{{Main category|2002 in economic history}}
{{See also|2002 world oil market chronology}}
[[File:Euro coins and banknotes.jpg|thumb|The [[Euro]] became the official currency of the [[European Union]] on January 1, 2002.]]
[[International trade]] increased by 1.9% in 2002, recovering from a decrease in 2001.<ref name=":9">{{Cite report |url=https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/world-economic-situation-and-prospects-2003/ |title=World Economic Situation and Prospects 2003 |date=2003-01-20 |publisher=United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs |isbn=92-1-109144-6 |access-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-date=July 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709210509/https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/world-economic-situation-and-prospects-2003/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Rp|page=11}} Most countries experienced only limited growth of output and employment in the year, and economic policy within the largest economies focused primarily on combating [[inflation]].<ref name=":9" />{{Rp|page=1}} The [[gross world product]] increased by 1.7%, the second lowest growth in a decade after that of 2001.<ref name=":9" />{{Rp|page=2}} Most developed nations began 2002 in a [[Government budget balance|budget]] surplus and ended in a deficit.<ref name=":9" />{{Rp|page=8}} The [[Euro]], a single official currency for the nations of the [[European Union]], was introduced on January 1.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=6}}

The [[early 2000s recession]] began to stabilize in the final months of the year.<ref name=":9" />{{Rp|page=1}} Growth was focused in the first half of the year before tapering in the second half<ref name=":9" />{{Rp|page=35}} as stock markets entered into a [[Stock market downturn of 2002|downturn]].<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Geller |first=Adam |date=2002-12-20 |title=2002's Hottest Business Stories |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2002s-hottest-business-stories/ |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=CBS News |language=en-US |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330021121/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2002s-hottest-business-stories/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By October, global equities saw a 24% decrease in 2002.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=185}} Particularly affected was [[AOL-Time Warner]], with its stocks losing 65% of their value by the fall.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=100}} The [[information technology]] industry in particular saw major decline in 2002<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=170}} before it began its recovery from the [[dot-com crash]] that had previously affected it.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=458}} The [[telecommunications]] industry was affected even more severely.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=176}}

The price drops associated with the September 11 attacks persisted for several months into 2002.<ref name=":9" />{{Rp|page=7}} Apprehensions about potential military conflict in Iraq also limited growth.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=185}} Latin American economies with large deficits were [[South American economic crisis of 2002|severely affected]] by lower prices, limiting export growth and preventing capital from entering the region, requiring further increases to the deficit.<ref name=":9" />{{Rp|page=3}} The region overall saw a negative GDP in 2002.<ref name=":9" />{{Rp|page=4}} Imports grew significantly in East Asia, with China competing with the United States as one of the largest export markets for other countries in the region.<ref name=":9" />{{Rp|page=12}} Imports in Latin America and Africa decreased compared to the previous year.<ref name=":9" />{{Rp|page=13}}

The United States recovered in part from the recession that had affected the Western world, while Europe's recovery was more limited.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=10}} South America saw significant economic challenges: [[1998–2002 Argentine great depression|Argentina's economic crisis]] continued from 2001, Brazil had low confidence in its economy, and Venezuela's economy suffered amid political upheaval.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=13}} Unlike the Western world, Eastern Europe and Asia showed strong growth in 2002.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=11}} Africa did not share this growth, as it also experienced a weak economy during the year.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=14}}

Several companies, predominantly in the United States, underwent major scandals in 2002. These included the [[WorldCom scandal]] that led to what was then the largest bankruptcy in American history, and accounting scandals emerging from the previous year's [[Enron scandal]].<ref name=":10" />{{Rp|page=|pages=92–93}} [[Xerox]] and the French company [[Vivendi]] were found to be reporting artificially inflated profits.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=186}} Others incidents included the [[ImClone stock trading case]] and fraud cases at [[Adelphia Communications Corporation|Adelphia]] and [[Tyco International|Tyco]]. These scandals brought the arrests of several high-profile executives,<ref name=":15" /> negatively affected public trust in corporate accounting,<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=185}} and increased the volatility of global stock markets.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|pages=|page=186}}

== Environment and weather ==
{{Main|2002 in the environment|Weather of 2002}}
{{See also|List of earthquakes in 2002|Tropical cyclones in 2002}}
[[File:Rusa 2002-08-27 0350Z.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Typhoon Rusa]] on August 27]]
2002 was the second hottest year on record, exceeded only by [[1998]].<ref name=":11">{{Cite report |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global/200213 |title=Annual 2002 Global Climate Report |date=2003 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=2023-03-30 |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330030957/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global/200213 |url-status=live }}</ref> There was below average precipitation in 2002, with droughts [[2000s Australian drought|in Australia]], northern China, [[2002 Indian heat wave|India]], and [[2002 North American drought|Western United States]].<ref name=":11" /> Heavy rains in late 2002 caused significant flooding in eastern Asia<ref name=":11" /> and [[2002 European floods|in central Europe]].<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=77}} The effects of the [[Asian brown cloud]] were documented in August by the [[United Nations Environment Programme]], warning of severe agricultural and meteorological effects in Afghanistan, northwestern India, and Pakistan.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=184}} February saw the collapse of the [[Larsen B]] ice shelf, a 12,000-year-old ice shelf in Antarctica with an area of 3,265&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (1,260 sq mi).<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=387}}

The third [[Global Environment Outlook]] report was published in May.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=465}} The [[World Summit on Sustainable Development]] was held in [[Johannesburg]] beginning on August 26. A number of proposals were endorsed in the summit, though environmentalists criticized the United States for not supporting stronger measures.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=209}} The European Union ratified the [[Kyoto Protocol]], while China and Russia announced their intent to do so. Australia and the United States rejected the protocol.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=211}} The war in Afghanistan caused widespread environmental issues, with forests destroyed, wildlife poached by refugees,<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=213}} and the [[Kabul Zoo]] requiring international support.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=215}} [[Kitulo National Park]] was established in Tanzania to preserve the endemic orchid species.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=239}}

Efforts to promote [[carbon sequestration]] were mixed in 2002. An experiment to study whether there were risks of pollution was shuttered following pressure from environmentalist groups such as [[Greenpeace]] and the [[World Wide Fund for Nature]], but [[Statoil]] reported success in a six-year-long experiment in the [[North Sea]] later in the year.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=212}}

The January eruption of [[Mount Nyiragongo]] brought destruction to [[Goma]], prompting an evacuation of 400,000 people, with 12,000 finding themselves homeless with damage across 14 villages.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=182}} A [[Prestige oil spill|major oil spill]] took place off the coast of [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]], Spain, when the [[MV Prestige|MV ''Prestige'']] ruptured and sank in November.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=87}} The deadliest earthquake in 2002 was [[2002 Hindu Kush earthquakes|a 6.1-magnitude earthquake]] that struck northern Afghanistan on March 25, killing approximately 1,000 people.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Timeline: World's deadliest earthquakes since 2000 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/6/the-worlds-deadliest-earthquakes-since-2000 |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005031552/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/6/the-worlds-deadliest-earthquakes-since-2000 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[2002 Bou'in-Zahra earthquake|A 6.5 magnitude earthquake]] in Iran killed approximately 200 people the following June.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=182}} North America saw one of its most intense earthquakes when [[2002 Denali earthquake|a 7.9 magnitude earthquake]] struck Alaska on November 3, but the remote location prevented any fatalities.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=181}}

The [[2002 Atlantic hurricane season]] saw 12 [[Tropical cyclone naming|named storms]], a near-average number. Most of them were relatively minor, with only 4 four becoming hurricanes, of which two attained major hurricane status. The season's activity was limited to between July and October, a rare occurrence caused partly by [[El Niño–Southern Oscillation|El Niño]] conditions. The two major hurricanes, [[Hurricane Isidore]] and [[Hurricane Lili]], both made landfall in Cuba and the United States, and combined were responsible for most of the season's damages and deaths.<ref name=":18">{{Cite journal |last1=Pasch |first1=Richard J. |last2=Lawrence |first2=Miles B. |last3=Avila |first3=Lixion A. |last4=Beven |first4=John L. |last5=Franklin |first5=James L. |last6=Stewart |first6=Stacy R. |date=2004-07-01 |title=Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2002 |journal=Monthly Weather Review |language=EN |volume=132 |issue=7 |pages=1829–1859 |doi=10.1175/1520-0493(2004)132<1829:AHSO>2.0.CO;2 |bibcode=2004MWRv..132.1829P |issn=1520-0493|doi-access=free }}</ref> The [[2002 Pacific typhoon season]] entailed a typical number of typhoons, but they were above average in intensity with 46% of typhoons reaching "intense strength". [[Typhoon Rusa]] killed at least 113 people in South Korea, making it the nation's deadliest typhoon in 43 years.<ref name="TSR2001Summ">{{cite web |last1=Saunders |first1=Mark |last2=Lea |first2=Adam |date=2003-01-17 |title=Summary of 2002 NW Pacific Typhoon Season and Verification of Authors' Seasonal Forecasts |url=https://www.tropicalstormrisk.com/docs/TSRNWP2002Verification.pdf |website=Tropical Storm Risk |publisher=University College London |access-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-date=July 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703084025/http://tropicalstormrisk.com/docs/TSRNWP2002Verification.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Health ==
{{Main category|2002 in health}}
The [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) recognized "reducing risks" and "promoting healthy life" as its health concern of focus in the 2002 [[World Health Report]].<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241562072 |title=World Health Report: 2002 |date=2002-09-11 |publisher=[[World Health Organization]] |isbn=92-4-156207-2 |issn=1020-3311 |access-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330034242/https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241562072 |url-status=live }}</ref> Global food supplies reduced in 2002 amid droughts and drops in harvest yields.<ref name=":52">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/britannicabookof0000ency_u4j0/ |title=Britannica Book of the Year 2003 |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |year=2003 |isbn=978-0852299562}}</ref>{{Rp|page=146}} Famines occurred in Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=6}} Eritrea, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Swaziland were also heavily affected by insufficient food.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=146}} The fishing industry was not affected, increasing slightly from previous years.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=149}} Nigeria and the Philippines took steps toward establishing national healthcare systems.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=311}}

A 2001 [[Ebola]] outbreak in Gabon and the Republic of the Congo continued through 2002.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=221}} The United States and the Dutch company [[Crucell]] collaborated to begin development on an Ebola vaccine in response.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=222}} The year's increased focus on terrorism, particularly after the [[2001 anthrax attacks]], prompted many countries to invest in vaccines, antibiotics, and antivirals as a precaution against [[bioterrorism]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=221}} Renewed attention was brought to the case of family doctor [[Harold Shipman]] when it was announced in July that he had killed 200 other people under his care beyond the 15 for which he was prosecuted.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=232}}

== Politics and law ==
{{Main|2002 in politics}}
[[File:Hamid Karzai became winner at the 2002 Loya Jirga.jpg|thumb|[[Hamid Karzai]] (right) is elected president of Afghanistan]]
[[East Timor]] became a sovereign nation in 2002.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=1}} It was one of two nations, along with Switzerland, to join the [[United Nations]] in September.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=382}} Brazil, Lesotho, and Senegal established democracy in 2002 through the acceptance of fair elections, while Bahrain and Kenya moved toward democracy through the strengthening of political institutions. Democracy was disestablished in Ivory Coast and Togo following mass political violence and unfair elections, respectively.<ref name=":12">{{Cite book |last=Karatnycky |first=Adrian |url=https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/Freedom_in_the_World_2003_complete_book.pdf |title=Freedom in the World 2003: The Annual Survey of Political Rights and Civil Liberties |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-7425-2870-3 |pages=14–16 |language=en |chapter=Liberty's Expansion in a Turbulent World |access-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321093001/https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/Freedom_in_the_World_2003_complete_book.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Rp|page=14}}

The United States was not reelected to its membership on the [[United Nations Commission on Human Rights]] for the first time.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=381}} Afghanistan underwent significant [[liberalization]] under a [[Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan|transitional government]] following end of major fighting in the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]], particularly in the capital of [[Kabul]], though distant regions of the country remained oppressed by [[warlord]]s.<ref name=":12" />{{Rp|page=15}} Civil rights also increased following the end of conflicts in Angola, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Macedonia.<ref name=":12" />{{Rp|pages=15–16}} Turkey lessened its restrictions on the country's [[Kurds in Turkey|Kurdish population]] in 2002.<ref name=":12" />{{Rp|page=16}} The majority of [[Gibraltar]]'s population engaged in protests when the British government considered delivering partial control of the territory to Spain; this culminated with [[2002 Gibraltar sovereignty referendum|a referendum]] that rejected the move.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=385}}

The [[Chinese Communist Party]] chose [[Hu Jintao]] as its next leader in a November meeting.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=87}} The [[African Union]] formally came into existence in July.<ref name=":16">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/annualregister200000unse_a8t0/ |title=The Annual Register 2002 |publisher=Keesing's Worldwide |year=2003 |isbn=1-886994-46-3 |editor-last=Lewis |editor-first=D. S.}}</ref>{{Rp|page=7}} The United Kingdom held [[Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II|a Golden Jubilee]] celebration for Queen [[Elizabeth II]], marking fifty years as the monarch.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=78}} In Latin America, the [[1998–2002 Argentine great depression|great depression in Argentina]] continued into 2002, causing significant political turmoil. Venezuela also underwent political crisis with [[2002 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt|an attempted coup]] against President [[Hugo Chávez]] in April and [[Venezuelan general strike of 2002–2003|a national strike]] against his administration later in the year.<ref name=":13" /> Brazil elected the leftist president [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]] in response to the economic instability.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=86}}

[[NATO]] established a diplomatic relationship with Russia through the [[NATO-Russia Council]] in May, and NATO announced seven new members in November: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. This expansion meant that NATO countries bordered Russia for the first time.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=282}} Russia and the United States signed the [[Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty]] nuclear disarmament agreement in May, but the United States left the [[Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty]] the following month, and Russia then left the [[START II]] treaty. The [[International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation]] was signed by over 90 countries in November.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=277}}

A wave of [[social pension]] reform took place in European nations, where Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, were all in various phases of implementation. Similar reforms occurred in Japan and Singapore.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|pages=309–311}} Anti-globalization protests took place during the September [[Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group|World Bank–IMF meeting]] in Washington, D.C.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=314}}

=== Crime and international law ===
The [[Rome Statute]] entered into force in July, establishing the [[International Criminal Court]].<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=469}} The [[International Court of Justice]] ruled in three cases: it ruled that [[diplomatic immunity]] applied to all crimes, including [[crimes against humanity]], and it settled two territorial disputes, ruling in favor of Cameroon over Nigeria and in favor of Malaysia over Indonesia.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|pages=471–472}} [[Special Court for Sierra Leone|A lesser court]] was established by the United Nations in Sierra Leone to prosecute figures associated with the nation's civil war.<ref name=":16"/>{{Rp|page=470}} A ban on the use of [[child soldiers]] was [[Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict|established in international law]] in February.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=381}}

The prosecution of former Yugoslavian president [[Slobodan Milošević]] began in February,<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=225}} but it was delayed and the genocide portion of the charges against him was dropped.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=86}} [[Biljana Plavšić]], the former president of [[Republika Srpska]], plead guilty to crimes against humanity in a related case.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=225}} In August, the [[International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda]] saw the arrests of nine more people accused of genocide, including army chief of staff [[Augustin Bizimungu]]. Efforts failed to create a similar tribunal in Cambodia to prosecute [[Khmer Rouge]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=226}} United Nations peacekeeping missions concluded in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Prevlaka, reducing its Balkan presence to Kosovo.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=381}}

Former military dictator of Argentina [[Leopoldo Galtieri]] was arrested in July for his actions in the [[Dirty War]]. Two generals from the [[Salvadoran Civil War]] were found liable for torture in an American court, and they were ordered to pay $54.6 million in damages.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=282}} A major espionage case in the United States ended in May with [[Robert Hanssen]] sentenced to life in prison for spying on behalf of the Soviet Union.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=232}} Serbia and Montenegro abolished capital punishment to qualify for entry to the [[Council of Europe]], and Turkey did so to garner support for its incorporation into the European Union. Prisoners in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Turkey engaged in deadly strikes and riots in response to poor conditions in 2002.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=232}}

=== War on terror ===
[[File:Guantanamo captives in January 2002 -b.jpg|thumb|The first inmates arrive at [[Camp X-Ray]] in the [[Guantanamo Bay detention camp]].]]
[[Terrorism]] dominated politics internationally in 2002, with both terrorist acts and attempts to declare groups as terrorist organizations being prevalent throughout the year. [[Islamic terrorism]] was widely seen as responsible for terrorist attacks throughout the year. In response, the United States began providing military assistance against terrorists in several countries as part of [[Operation Enduring Freedom]].<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=2}} [[International law]] regarding these actions had yet to be settled, and international organizations spent the year debating how action against terrorist groups should be carried out.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=469}}

Pakistan arrested al-Qaeda operative [[Ramzi bin al-Shibh]] in September on suspicions of involvement in the September 11 attacks and extradited him to the United States. The United States arrested an addition fifteen suspects across several states for involvement in the preparation of future terrorist attacks.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=228}} Anti-terrorism actions by the United States, including the [[arbitrary arrest]] and deportation of non-citizens and [[indefinite detention]] of suspected terrorists captured in Afghanistan, were condemned as human rights violations.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=314}}  American treatment of prisoners in the war on terror came under scrutiny, particularly in [[Camp X-Ray]] in the [[Guantanamo Bay detention camp]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=232}} China and Russia invoked anti-terrorism to take actions against their [[Uyghurs|Uyghur]] and [[Chechens|Chechen]] minorities, respectively.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=315}}

Australia, Russia, and the United States all declared a right to [[preemptive strikes]] against foreign terrorist groups in 2002.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=278}} [[George W. Bush]] defined an "[[axis of evil]]" in [[2002 State of the Union Address|an address]] in January, naming Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as foreign adversaries of the United States. [[Lead-up to the Iraq War|Increasing tensions]] between Iraq and the United States became a major geopolitical issue in 2002 amid [[Iraq disarmament crisis|suspicions]] that Iraq had resumed [[Iraq and weapons of mass destruction|its production of weapons of mass destruction]]. The United Nations delivered [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441|an ultimatum]] for Iraq to comply with weapons inspections in late 2002.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Getz |first=Arlene |date=2002-12-25 |title=The Top Stories Of 2002 |url=https://www.newsweek.com/top-stories-2002-141407 |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=Newsweek |language=en |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330055222/https://www.newsweek.com/top-stories-2002-141407 |url-status=live }}</ref> Because of this dispute, as well Hussein's involvement with terrorist groups amid the [[war on terror]], an [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]] by the United States was widely expected.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|pages=66–71}}

== Religion ==
{{Main category|2002 in religion}}
Religious violence was prevalent in 2002. Hindu–Muslim relations were strained in India, most prominently by [[Godhra train burning|an attack on a Hindu train car]] in February that led to [[2002 Gujarat riots|weeks of deadly riots]] in [[Gujarat]]. Unrest from the Second Intifada led to widespread attacks on Jews throughout the world, and Christians in Pakistan faced several attacks throughout the year.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=301}}

The [[Catholic Church sexual abuse cases|Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal]] continued from 2001; the church adopted rules on how to address sexual abuse allegations on January 8, and [[Pope John Paul II]] made his second papal statement on the matter on March 22.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=448}} The [[Catholic Church]] created four new Russian dioceses in February, resulting in protests by members of the [[Russian Orthodox Church]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=302}} Belarus made the [[Belarusian Orthodox Church]] into the state's legally recognized religion, curtailing practice of other religions.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=449}} The [[Church of England]] determined in July that divorcees could marry in the church. Then in December, the church saw its first leader in centuries from outside its own membership when the Welsh [[Rowan Williams]] was confirmed as [[Archbishop of Canterbury]].<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=447}}

Islam grappled with the aftermath of the [[September 11 attacks]] in 2002, facing both the expansion of [[Islamic terrorism]] and of United States military action in combating it.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=450}} [[Orthodox Judaism]] was the subject of several disputes with the Israeli government throughout the year, including the exemption of Orthodox Jews from military service and recognition of non-Orthodox conversions in the population registry.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=303}}

The relationship between religion and education shifted in several nations in 2002. The removal of the Taliban from power allowed girls to attend school in Afghanistan for the first time, and textbooks funded by the United States included images of women. Pakistan introduced a law to regulate Islamic [[madrasa]] schools under pressure from Western nations, but it saw backlash from the schools. State-funded [[faith schools]] became a polarizing issue when the government suggested increasing their number. The [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] of the United States [[Zelman v. Simmons-Harris|ruled]] that [[school vouchers]] allowed students to seek religious education.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|pages=204–205}}

== Science ==
{{Main|2002 in science}}
[[File:里耶秦簡.jpg|thumb|The [[Liye Qin Slips]] were discovered by archaeologists in 2002.]]
Archeological finds in 2002 included [[James Ossuary|the alleged ossuary]] of [[James, brother of Jesus]]; [[red ochre]] cave art in the [[Blombos Cave]] in South Africa, created approximately 77,000 years ago and the oldest known artwork; the largest [[Etruscan civilization]] settlement found to date, from approximately 2,600 years ago; [[Liye Qin Slips|a collection of bamboo slips]] featuring 200,000 characters of calligraphy from the [[Qin dynasty]]; [[Kanaganahalli#Excavation during 2000 to 2002|two stone slabs]] featuring the Indian emperor [[Ashoka]]; ancient irrigation canals under [[Tucson, Arizona]]; a [[Mayan art|Mayan mural]] in [[San Bartolo (Maya site)|San Bartolo]], Guatemala; an Aztec shrine on [[Pico de Orizaba]] in Mexico; and the Palace of Parliament of [[Upper Canada]] that had been destroyed in the [[War of 1812]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|pages=152–154}} A major study published in 2002 provided evidence against the [[Black Sea deluge hypothesis]] that had been popularized in 1996.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=180}} The [[Egyptian Museum]] held an [[Exhibitions of artifacts from the tomb of Tutankhamun|exhibition for artifacts]] from the [[tomb of Tutankhamun]], including some items never seen by the public.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=234}}

Chemists in 2002 bonded [[uranium]] to [[noble gases]] for the first time,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.osu.edu/chemists-make-first-ever-compounds-of-noble-gases-and-uranium/ | title=Chemists Make First-Ever Compounds of Noble Gases and Uranium }}</ref> observed a [[blackberry]]-shaped molecular structure in [[molybdenum blue]], [[fluorinated]] carbon [[Carbon nanotube|nanotubes]], synthesized a stable [[cyclopentadienyl cation]], discovered the oxidation-resistant gold {{Chem|Au|55}}, incorporated a [[photonic lattice]] into a tungsten [[Electrical filament|filament]], invented the ITQ-21 [[Zeolite membrane|zeolite]] to more efficiently refine [[petroleum]], and developed a method to create [[crystalline oxide film]] without extreme heat.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|pages=261–263}} A team led by Rüdeger Köhler developed a laser that emits [[terahertz radiation]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|pages=263–264}} Early study of [[Bose–Einstein condensates]] continued in 2002, as did that of [[quantum dots]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=264}} A major study into [[antimatter]] across 70 institutions took place in 2002 with results suggesting that antimatter may not be a precise opposite of matter.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=263}}

The discovery of a large [[trans-Neptunian object]], [[Quaoar]], prompted reconsideration of how to define a planet, including doubts about whether [[Pluto]] should be considered a planet.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=264}} Study with the [[Cosmic Background Imager]] revealed a more detailed image of [[cosmic background radiation]], and telescopes were able to counteract the scattering effect of Earth's atmosphere through [[adaptive optics]].<ref name=":14" /> The largest known volcanic eruption in the [[Solar System]] was discovered on the moon [[Io (moon)|Io]] in November 2002, using imaging that had been taken in February 2001.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=183}} The youngest known [[pulsar]] was discovered in 2002, originating from [[SN 1181|a supernova documented in 1181]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=266}}

Two major breakthroughs were made in [[number theory]] in 2002: [[Manindra Agrawal]] led a team in developing the [[AKS primality test]], and [[Preda Mihăilescu]] created a proof for the 150-year-old [[Catalan's conjecture]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=261}}

The September 11 attacks of the previous year caused a shift in focus among cultural anthropologists in 2002 toward the study of violence in society.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=151}}

=== Biology ===
[[File:Sahelanthropus tchadensis - TM 266-01-060-1.jpg|thumb|The discovery of the ''Toumaï'' fossil ''(pictured)'' led to the discovery of ''[[Sahelanthropus]]''.]]
New species of animals described in 2002 include the [[rupicolous gerbil]], the [[lesser Congo shrew]], and the [[bald parrot]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=215}} The rediscovery of [[Bavarian pine vole]]s was announced in Austria after being thought extinct in the 1960s.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=467}} Several paleological discoveries in China strong evidence supporting a relation between [[theropods]] and birds.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=241}} The hominid ancestor ''[[Sahelanthropus]]'' was identified in 2002 from fossils found in Chad.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=150}} A new genus of [[conifer]] in Vietnam, ''[[Xanthocyparis]]'', was described.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=239}}

Genome sequences were completed for [[indica rice]] and for the malaria carriers ''[[anopheles gambiae]]'' and ''[[plasmodium falciparum]]''.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|pages=456–457}}<ref name=":14" /> Scientists at the [[San Diego Zoo]] successfully created cloned egg cells for the endangered [[banteng]] by applying its DNA to egg cells from cows.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=216}} Scientists in the United States announced in July that they had reconstructed a [[poliovirus]] specimen using its genetic sequence.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=221}}

Two experiments in 2002 were successful in producing plants from old seeds: a lotus plant was grown from a 500-year-old seed, and two other plants were grown after their seeds were bottled and laid dormant since 1879.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=239}} A new [[herbicide]] was discovered by extracting the [[catechin]] toxin of the [[Centaurea stoebe|spotted knapweed]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=238}} Controversy about [[genetically modified crops]] increased when it was discovered that pest-resistant genes can be transferred to [[weed]]s and that crops resistant to some pests can become more vulnerable to others.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=238}}

Other biology developments from 2002 include an understanding of [[Transient receptor potential channel|TRP channels]] in taste, the role of light in a [[circadian rhythm]], and the development of [[Electron cryotomography|3D imagery of cells]].<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |date=2002-12-23 |title=Science's Top Ten: Discovery Of Genes' "Control Switches" Named Top Advance Of 2002 |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/12/021223084005.htm |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=ScienceDaily |language=en |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330071713/https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/12/021223084005.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Major advances in the development and application of [[stem cells]] triggered an ethics debate that defined the field, in part because stem cells were commonly developed from the human [[fetus]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|pages=239–240}} Study of hormones led to the identification of two related to appetite: [[ghrelin]] to encourage eating and [[peptide YY]] to discourage it.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=223}}

=== Technology ===
{{Further|2002 in spaceflight}}
[[File:2002 Toyota Prius (3).jpg|thumb|A 2002 [[Toyota Prius]]]]
There were 61 successful and four failed space launches in 2002. [[NASA]] launches included the [[Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager]], the [[Aqua (satellite)|Aqua]] research satellite, and a [[Polar Operational Environmental Satellites|Polar Operational Environmental Satellite]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=NASA - Space Flight 2002 - The Year in Review |url=https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/reports/2002/index.html |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=NASA |language=en |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330071710/https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/reports/2002/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[CONTOUR]] probe was put into orbit on July 3 but lost when activated on August 15.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=267}} The [[European Space Agency]] launched the [[Meteosat 8]] satellite in August and the [[INTEGRAL]] observatory in October. It also saw the launch of the [[Envisat]] satellite.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|pages=453–454}} China launched the ''[[Shenzhou 3]]'' and ''[[Shenzhou 4]]'' missions in March and December, respectively.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=454}} Russia sent the second ever space tourist, [[Mark Shuttleworth]], into space.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=453}} The creation of the [[International Space Station]] remained the largest focus of global space programs, but its development was halted for several months after potentially deadly cracks were found on several [[space shuttles]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=266}}

The [[open-source-software movement]] saw growth throughout the year, in part because of Microsoft's success in avoiding tighter regulations in court.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=458}} China blocked [[Google Search]] and [[AltaVista]] in August,<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=233}} provoking a [[hacktivist]] movement in the United States that worked to circumvent such restrictions in authoritarian nations.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=175}} Some parts of Google were restored on September 12.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=233}} New developments in [[peer-to-peer]] sharing allowed decentralized [[file sharing]] between computers, causing a proliferation of [[online piracy]]. [[Blogging]] also became a common practice in 2002.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=460}} [[Klez]] was a [[computer worm]] that spread extensively in 2002 before public awareness limited its effectiveness.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=175}} [[Hybrid vehicle]]s first saw widespread popularity in 2002.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|pages=94–95}}

==Events==
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This timeline reflects the events described in the article above, determined by their inclusion in reliable sources about the year 2002. The sources used in this timeline exist solely to confirm the dates and do not on their own indicate due weight.

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===January===
[[File:Euro 1 coin.gif|thumb|1 [[euro]] coin]]
* January – [[Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines]]: The Philippines and the United States begin a joint operation to combat Jihadist groups in the Philippines.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maxwell |first=David |date=2021-10-07 |title=Lessons from the Philippines: Irregular Warfare in Action |url=https://mwi.usma.edu/lessons-from-the-philippines-irregular-warfare-in-action/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Modern War Institute |language=en-US |archive-date=December 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212014833/https://mwi.usma.edu/lessons-from-the-philippines-irregular-warfare-in-action/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[January 1]] – The [[Euro]] is introduced as the official physical currency in the [[Eurozone]] countries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/1/newsid_4044000/4044891.stm|title=Celebrations as euro hits the streets|date=2002-01-01|website=BBC News|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=April 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408085040/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/1/newsid_4044000/4044891.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The first physical transactions are carried out on [[Réunion]]. The former currencies of all the countries that use the Euro cease to be legal tender on February 28.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pr/date/2002/html/pr020228.en.html|title=The euro becomes the sole legal tender in all euro area countries|date=2002-02-28|website=European Central Bank|language=en|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=April 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408095616/https://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pr/date/2002/html/pr020228.en.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[January 6]] – ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' publishes results of an investigation leading to the [[Sexual abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston|criminal prosecutions]] of five Roman Catholic priests and bringing widespread attention to the [[Catholic Church sexual abuse cases|sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Church allowed abuse by priest for years |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/special-reports/2002/01/06/church-allowed-abuse-priest-for-years/cSHfGkTIrAT25qKGvBuDNM/story.html |first1=Matt |last1=Carroll |first2=Sacha |last2=Pfeiffer |first3=Michael |last3=Rezendes |first4=Walter V. |last4=Robinson |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=2002-01-06 |access-date=2023-03-12 |archive-date=May 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518025527/https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/special-reports/2002/01/06/church-allowed-abuse-priest-for-years/cSHfGkTIrAT25qKGvBuDNM/story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[January 16]] – The [[United Nations]] and Sierra Leone create a joint [[Special Court for Sierra Leone]] to prosecute the [[Revolutionary United Front]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bringing Justice: the Special Court for Sierra Leone: Brief Overview of the Establishment of the Special Court |url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2004/sierraleone0904/2.htm |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=Human Rights Watch}}</ref>
* [[January 17]] – [[Mount Nyiragongo]] erupts in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], displacing an estimated 400,000 people.<ref>{{cite web |title=Case study - volcanic eruption in a developing country: Mt Nyiragongo - Volcanoes and volcanic eruptions - Edexcel - GCSE Geography Revision - Edexcel |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zpf9mnb/revision/7 |website=BBC Bitesize |access-date=22 March 2021 |archive-date=April 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410145811/https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zpf9mnb/revision/7 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[January 18]] – The [[Sierra Leone Civil War]] comes to a conclusion with the defeat of the [[Revolutionary United Front]] by government forces.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.blackpast.org/gah/sierra-leone-civil-war-1991-2002|title=The Sierra Leone Civil War (1991–2002) {{!}} The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed|last=Momodu|first=Samuel|website=Black Past|date=January 16, 2017|language=en|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202032641/http://www.blackpast.org/gah/sierra-leone-civil-war-1991-2002|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[January 19]] – In [[American football]], [[Tom Brady]]'s victory in the [[Tuck Rule Game]] causes a national controversy.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2016-10-05 |title=Tom Brady moments: Remembering the Tuck Rule |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/10/05/tom-brady-biggest-moments-tuck-rule |access-date=2024-10-07 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}}</ref>
* [[January 29]] – American president [[George W. Bush]] defines an [[axis of evil]] consisting of Iran, Iraq, and North Korea in [[2002 State of the Union Address|his State of the Union Address]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glass |first=Andrew |date=2019-01-29 |title=President Bush cites 'axis of evil,' Jan. 29, 2002 |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/29/bush-axis-of-evil-2002-1127725 |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Politico}}</ref>

===February===
[[File:2002 Winter Olympics flame.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Olympic flame]] during the [[2002 Winter Olympics]]]]
* [[February 3]] – [[2002 Afyon earthquake]]: A 6.0 magnitude earthquake strikes [[Afyonkarahisar Province]], Turkey, killing 41 people and damaging thousands of buildings.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-10-06 |title=Turkey: Afyon earthquake - Final report |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/turkey/turkey-afyon-earthquake-final-report |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Reliefweb |publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs |language=en |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813065711/https://reliefweb.int/report/turkey/turkey-afyon-earthquake-final-report |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[February 5]] – NASA launches the [[Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager]] as part of the [[Explorers Program]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lin |first1=R.P. |last2=Dennis |first2=B.R. |last3=Hurford |first3=G.J. |last4=Smith |first4=D.M. |last5=Zehnder |first5=A. |last6=Harvey |first6=P.R. |last7=Curtis |first7=D.W. |last8=Pankow |first8=D. |last9=Turin |first9=P. |last10=Bester |first10=M. |last11=Csillaghy |first11=A. |last12=Lewis |first12=M. |last13=Madden |first13=N. |last14=Van Beek |first14=H.F. |last15=Appleby |first15=M. |date=2002 |title=The Reuven Ramaty High-Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) |journal=Solar Physics |volume=210 |issue=1/2 |pages=3–32 |doi=10.1023/A:1022428818870 |bibcode=2002SoPh..210....3L }}</ref>
* [[February 8]]–[[February 24|24]] – The [[2002 Winter Olympics]] are held in [[Salt Lake City, Utah]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.olympic.org/salt-lake-city-2002|title=Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics - results & video highlights|date=2016-10-13|website=International Olympic Committee|access-date=2016-12-10|archive-date=June 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602104222/https://www.olympic.org/salt-lake-city-2002|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[February 11]]
** Several Muslim-majority nations ban an issue of [[Newsweek International]] when it [[Depictions of Muhammad|depicts Muhammad]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=275}}
** The Catholic Church establishes four new dioceses in Russia, prompting backlash from the [[Russian Orthodox Church]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-02-12 |title=Vatican move irks Russian church |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2002/02/12/vatican-move-irks-russian-church/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref>
* [[February 12]] 
** The [[trial of Slobodan Milošević]], the former president of [[Serbia and Montenegro|Yugoslavia]], begins at the [[International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia]] in [[The Hague]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/11/opinion/the-trial-of-slobodan-milosevic.html|title=The Trial of Slobodan Milosevic|date=2002-02-11|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108030603/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/11/opinion/the-trial-of-slobodan-milosevic.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
** The [[Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict]] comes into effect, establishing an international agreement against the use of [[child soldiers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict |url=https://treaties.un.org/pages/showDetails.aspx?objid=0800000280001282&clang=_en |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=United Nations Treaty Collection}}</ref>
* [[February 14]]
** The [[State of Bahrain]] is declared a [[constitutional monarchy]] and becomes the [[Kingdom of Bahrain]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-02-15 |title=Bahrain now a monarchy |url=https://www.deseret.com/2002/2/15/19637636/bahrain-now-a-monarchy |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Deseret News |language=en |archive-date=December 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212003209/https://www.deseret.com/2002/2/15/19637636/bahrain-now-a-monarchy |url-status=live }}</ref>
** The [[International Court of Justice]] rules in favor of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the ''[[Arrest Warrant of 11 April 2000 case]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Judgment of 14 February 2002 |url=https://www.icj-cij.org/node/103177 |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=International Court of Justice}}</ref>
* [[February 19]] – [[NASA]]'s ''[[2001 Mars Odyssey]]'' [[space probe]] begins to map the surface of [[Mars]] using its thermal emission imaging system.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/2009/02/feb-19-2002-odyssey-turns-its-cameras-on-mars/|title=Odyssey Turns Its Cameras on Mars|last=Long|first=Tony|date=2002-01-19|newspaper=Wired|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=September 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901201922/https://www.wired.com/2009/02/feb-19-2002-odyssey-turns-its-cameras-on-mars/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[February 22]] – [[UNITA]] guerrilla leader [[Jonas Savimbi]] is killed in clashes against government troops led by [[President of Angola|Angolan President]] [[José Eduardo dos Santos]] in [[Moxico Province]], [[Angola]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1839252.stm|title=Savimbi 'died with gun in hand'|date=2002-02-25|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=2016-06-04|archive-date=June 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614151458/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1839252.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[February 23]]
** The [[Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia]] kidnap the presidential candidate [[Íngrid Betancourt]], holding her captive for the next six years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brockes |first=Emma |date=2010-09-17 |title=Ingrid Betancourt: I still have nightmares |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/sep/18/ingrid-betancourt-i-still-have-nightmares |access-date=2024-10-07 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
** A ceasefire ends [[Eelam War III]] in Sri Lanka. It stays in effect until January 2008.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2008-01-06 |title=Sri Lanka tears up 2002 ceasefire |url=https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/sri-lanka-tears-2002-ceasefire |work=Tamil Guardian}}</ref> 
* [[February 25]] – ''Good Morning Afghanistan'' begins broadcasting over radio in Dari and Pashto, establishing a national news source for Afghanistan.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lobjakas |first=Ahto |date=2002-02-25 |title=Afghanistan: EU Begins Daily Radio Broadcasts Of 'Good Morning Afghanistan' |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/1098915.html |access-date=2024-10-07 |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |language=en}}</ref>
* [[February 27]] – A mob [[Godhra train burning|attacks]] a train near [[Godhra]], India, killing approximately 59 people.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2021-02-16 |title=Godhra train burning case accused held after 19 years |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/godhra-train-burning-case-accused-held-after-19-years/article33853611.ece |access-date=2022-12-11 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211204011/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/godhra-train-burning-case-accused-held-after-19-years/article33853611.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> The state of Gujarat breaks out into [[2002 Gujarat riots|riots]], including the [[Gulbarg Society massacre]] on February 28 that kills approximately 69 people.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghosh |first=Sohini |date=2022-07-01 |title=Gulberg Society case: 69 dead, 30 missing, all those convicted out on bail |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/gulberg-society-case-69-dead-30-missing-all-those-convicted-out-on-bail-8003685/ |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211205500/https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/gulberg-society-case-69-dead-30-missing-all-those-convicted-out-on-bail-8003685/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===March===
[[File:Envisatmod.jpg|thumb|A model of the [[Envisat]] satellite]]
* [[March 1]] – The [[Envisat]] environmental satellite is launched, with its purpose being the recording of information on environmental change.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2002/mar/01/spaceexploration.environment|title=New satellite will monitor global warming|date=2002-03-01|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=October 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018125737/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2002/mar/01/spaceexploration.environment|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[March 2]]–[[March 10|10]] – Afghan and coalition troops carry out [[Operation Anaconda]] in the [[Shah-i-Kot Valley]], the largest combat operation against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban to that point.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Geibel |first=Adam |date=2002 |title=Operation Anaconda, Shah-i-Khot Valley, Afghanistan, 2-10 March 2002 |url=https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/Online-Exclusive/2017-Online-Exclusive-Articles/Operation-Anaconda-Shah-i-Khot-Valley-Afghanistan/ |journal=[[Military Review]] |volume=82 |issue=3 |pages=72–77 |access-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211045937/https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/Online-Exclusive/2017-Online-Exclusive-Articles/Operation-Anaconda-Shah-i-Khot-Valley-Afghanistan/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[March 3]] – Switzerland votes in favor of a referendum to join the [[United Nations]], challenging a long-held tradition of neutrality and isolationism.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Volger |first1=Helmut |title=A Concise Encyclopedia of the United Nations |date=28 December 2021 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-48120-6 |page=394 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i2NjEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA394 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[March 11]] – The [[Tribute in Light]] is installed at the [[World Trade Center site]] in [[New York City]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dunlap |first=David W. |date=2015-09-11 |title=Tribute in Light Captures Grief and Joy of 9/11 Anniversary |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/11/nyregion/tribute-in-light-captures-grief-and-joy-of-9-11-anniversary.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911190401/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/11/nyregion/tribute-in-light-captures-grief-and-joy-of-9-11-anniversary.html |archive-date=2015-09-11 |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>
* [[March 16]] – [[Sofia Gubaidulina]]'s ''[[Johannes-Ostern]]'' is premiered, together with her earlier ''[[Johannes-Passion (Gubaidulina)|Johannes-Passion]]'', at Hamburg's [[St. Michael's Church, Hamburg|Michaeliskirche]], performed by soloists, choir and orchestra from the [[Mariinsky Theatre]] combined with [[NDR Chor|NDR choir and orchestra]], conducted by [[Valery Gergiev]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Sofia Gubaidulina - St. John Easter | url = https://www.boosey.com/cr/music/Sofia-Gubaidulina-St-John-Easter/26545 | publisher = [[Boosey and Hawkes]] | access-date = 25 February 2026 | language = en }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Lesle | first = Lutz | url = https://www.welt.de/print-welt/article379212/Lehrstueck-von-der-Richtigkeit-des-falschen-Wegs.html | title = Lehrstück von der Richtigkeit des falschen Wegs | newspaper = [[Die Welt]] | date = 14 March 2002 | language = de | access-date = 13 March 2026 }}</ref>
* [[March 25]]
** [[2002 Hindu Kush earthquakes]]: A 6.1 magnitude earthquake strikes [[Nahrin]], Afghanistan, killing 800 people and leaving 10,000 homeless.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-04-01 |title=Afghanistan: Earthquake Appeal No.10/02 Operations Update No. 5 |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/afghanistan-earthquake-appeal-no1002-operations-update-no-5 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=ReliefWeb |publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117051523/https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/afghanistan-earthquake-appeal-no1002-operations-update-no-5 |url-status=live }}</ref>
** [[Shenzhou 3]] is launched from China.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shenzhou 3 |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2002-014A |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=National Aeronautics and Space Administration}}</ref>
* [[March 27]]
** A Palestinian [[Passover massacre|suicide bomber kills]] 30 people and injures 140 others at a hotel in [[Netanya]], Israel.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/ten-years-after-passover-bombing-survivors-return-to-netanyas-park-hotel/|title=Ten years after Passover blast, survivors return to Park Hotel|last=Friedman|first=Matti|date=2012-03-27|newspaper=The Times of Israel|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=March 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329232332/http://www.timesofisrael.com/ten-years-after-passover-bombing-survivors-return-to-netanyas-park-hotel/|url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[Nanterre massacre]]: A man kills eight members of the [[Nanterre]] town council in France at the end of a council meeting.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=229}}
* [[March 29]] – In response to increasingly common attacks by Palestinian militants, Israeli initiates [[Operation Defensive Shield]], a large-scale counter-terrorism operation in the [[West Bank]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/aug/02/israel|title=UN report details West Bank wreckage|last=Whitaker|first=Brian|date=2002-08-02|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=October 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015042344/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/aug/02/israel|url-status=live}}</ref>

===April===
[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Standing Guard in Nablus.jpg|thumb|[[Israel Defense Force]] soldiers during the [[Battle of Nablus]]]]
* [[April 1]]
** The [[South West State of Somalia]] is established as an autonomous territory in Somalia by [[Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigadud]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-04-02 |title=afrol News - Third autonomous region breaks with Somalia |url=http://www.afrol.com/News2002/som004_southwest.htm |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=afrol News |archive-date=December 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225082645/http://www.afrol.com/News2002/som004_southwest.htm%20 |url-status=live }}</ref>
** [[Battle of Jenin (2002)|Battle of Jenin]]: Israeli forces attack Palestinian militants in the [[Jenin refugee camp]].<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep08976.5 |title=Session I: Jenin: What Actually Happened? |date=2003-01-01 |publisher=Institute for National Security Studies |pages=15–22 |access-date=2022-12-12 |archive-date=December 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212014840/https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep08976.5 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[April 2]] – [[Siege of the Church of the Nativity|Siege of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem]]: Israeli forces besiege the [[Church of the Nativity]] in [[Bethlehem]] when militants take shelter there. The siege will last for 38 days.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/1389824/Bloody-siege-of-Bethlehem.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/1389824/Bloody-siege-of-Bethlehem.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Bloody siege of Bethlehem|last=Guardia|first=Anton La|date=2002-04-04|website=The Telegraph|access-date=2016-06-04}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* [[April 3]]–[[April 8|8]] – [[Battle of Nablus]]: Israeli forces occupy [[Nablus]], Palestine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 3, 2002 |title=Israeli tanks roll across West Bank |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/04/03/mideast.military/index.html |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=CNN |archive-date=December 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212014831/http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/04/03/mideast.military/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[April 4]] – A peace agreement is made to end the [[Angolan Civil War]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Butcher |first=Tim |date=2002-04-05 |title=Unita signs peace treaty with Angolan army to end 27-year civil war |language=en |newspaper=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/angola/1389946/Unita-signs-peace-treaty-with-Angolan-army-to-end-27-year-civil-war.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2017-01-27 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/angola/1389946/Unita-signs-peace-treaty-with-Angolan-army-to-end-27-year-civil-war.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* [[April 5]] – The genome sequence for [[indica rice]] is published.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wade |first=Nicholas |date=2002-05-05 |title=Experts Say They Have Key to Rice Genes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/05/us/experts-say-they-have-key-to-rice-genes.html |access-date=2024-10-13 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>
* [[April 11]] – [[Llaguno Overpass events]]: a shootout takes place between the {{ill|Caracas Metropolitan Police|es|Policía Metropolitana de Caracas}} and pro-government [[Bolivarian Circles]] in central [[Caracas]], Venezuela, near the presidential [[Miraflores Palace]], causing 19 deaths and injuring 127 people.<ref name="Jones327">Jones (2008:327–8)</ref> The military high command refuse President [[Hugo Chávez]]'s order to implement the ''[[Plan Ávila]]'' as a response to the protests and demands his resignation.<ref name="p2325NELSON">{{cite book|last1=Nelson|first1=Brian A.|title-link= The Silence and the Scorpion|title=The silence and the scorpion : the coup against Chávez and the making of modern Venezuela|date=2009|publisher=Nation Books|isbn=978-1568584188|edition=online|location=New York|pages=23–25}}</ref> President Chávez is subsequently arrested by the military.<ref name="Ref_2008">{{cite web|date=2 January 2008|title=Esposa de Gebauer espera publicación en Gaceta de Ley de Amnistía|url=http://politica.eluniversal.com/2008/01/02/pol_ava_esposa-de-gebauer-es_02A1282403.shtml|access-date=31 January 2010|work=[[El Universal (Caracas)|El Universal]]|language=es|quote=Otto Gebauer fue imputado por el delito de insubordinación y privación ilegítima de libertad al coronel Hugo Chávez Frías,|archive-date=November 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081109014835/http://politica.eluniversal.com/2008/01/02/pol_ava_esposa-de-gebauer-es_02A1282403.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ref_2006">{{cite web|date=15 March 2006|title=Veneconomía|url=http://www.veneconomy.com/site/files/articulos/artEsp3586_2470.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.veneconomy.com/site/files/articulos/artEsp3586_2470.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|access-date=29 January 2010|language=es}}</ref><ref name="Ref_">Rey, J. C. (2002), [http://www.analitica.com/bitblioteca/juan_carlos_rey/insolito_golpe.asp "Consideraciones políticas sobre un insólito golpe de Estado"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103201015/http://www.analitica.com/bitblioteca/juan_carlos_rey/insolito_golpe.asp|date=3 January 2009}}, pp. 1–16; cited in Cannon (2004:296); "In 2002, Venezuela's military and some of its business leaders ousted President Chavez from power and held him hostage." (N. Scott Cole (2007), "Hugo Chávez and President Bush's credibility gap: The struggle against US democracy promotion", ''International Political Science Review'', 28(4), p498)</ref> Chávez's request for asylum in Cuba is denied, and he is ordered to be tried in a Venezuelan court.<ref name="Bellos">{{cite web|last1=Bellos|first1=Alex|title=Chavez rises from very peculiar coup|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/apr/15/venezuela.alexbellos|access-date=8 February 2015|website=[[The Guardian]]|date=April 15, 2002|archive-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524051905/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/apr/15/venezuela.alexbellos|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[April 12]] – [[Augustin Bizimungu]] is arrested for his involvement in the [[Rwandan genocide]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-08-15 |title=Former Rwandan army chief of staff arrested, transferred to UN war crimes tribunal |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2002/08/42892 |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=UN News |language=en}}</ref>
* [[April 14]] – President [[Hugo Chávez]] of Venezuela is restored to power following [[2002 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt|an attempted coup]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Forero |first=Juan |date=2002-04-14 |title=A Chávez Comeback More Astounding Than His Fall |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/14/world/a-chavez-comeback-more-astounding-than-his-fall.html |access-date=2022-12-11 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211045934/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/14/world/a-chavez-comeback-more-astounding-than-his-fall.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[April 18]] – Romanian mathematician [[Preda Mihăilescu]] creates a proof for the [[Catalan's conjecture]], which had gone unsolved for 158 years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weisstein |first=Eric W. |title=Catalan's Conjecture |url=https://mathworld.wolfram.com/CatalansConjecture.html |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=MathWorld |language=en}}</ref>
* [[April 25]] – South African [[Mark Shuttleworth]] blasts off from the [[Baikonur Cosmodrome]] on the [[Soyuz TM-34]], becoming the first African space tourist.<ref name=":16" />{{Rp|page=453}}
* [[April 26]] – [[Erfurt school massacre]]: An expelled student kills 16 people and commits suicide at a school in [[Erfurt]], Germany.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-04-26 |title=Eighteen killed in German school shooting |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/apr/26/schools.education |access-date=2024-10-07 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
[[File:Vladimir Putin 24 May 2002-9.jpg|thumb|[[Vladimir Putin]] and [[George W. Bush]] sign the [[Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty]]]]

===May===
*[[May 2]] – [[Bojayá massacre]]: A church is struck with a cylinder bomb during a conflict between the [[Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia]] and the [[United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia]], killing an estimated 119 people.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Grattan |first1=Steven |last2=Voge |first2=Cady |title=Bojaya massacre: After 17 years, victims' remains returned |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2019/11/15/bojaya-massacre-after-17-years-victims-remains-returned |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211060404/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2019/11/15/bojaya-massacre-after-17-years-victims-remains-returned |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[May 4]] – NASA launches the [[Aqua (satellite)|Aqua]] satellite as part of the [[Earth Observing System]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aqua {{!}} NASA's Earth Observing System |url=https://eospso.nasa.gov/missions/aqua |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=National Aeronautics and Space Administration |date=June 16, 2023 }}</ref>
*[[May 9]] – [[2002 Kaspiysk bombing]]: Over 40 people are killed when insurgents bomb a military parade in [[Kaspiysk]], Russia.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2010-03-31 |title=Timeline: Recent attacks in Russia |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-metro-blasts-timeline-idUSTRE62U0YJ20100331 |access-date=2022-12-11 |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211060402/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-metro-blasts-timeline-idUSTRE62U0YJ20100331 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[May 10]] – American FBI agent [[Robert Hanssen]] is sentenced to life in prison for espionage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grace |first=Francie |date=2002-05-10 |title=A Traitor On Tape - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-traitor-on-tape/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=CBS News}}</ref>
*[[May 13]] – Rebels bombard [[Arthington, Liberia]], with artillery during the [[Second Liberian Civil War]] causing panic in the neighboring capital, [[Monrovia]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=McGreal |first=Chris |date=2002-05-14 |title=Shelling provokes terror in Liberia's capital |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/may/14/chrismcgreal |access-date=2024-10-07 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
*[[May 14]] – [[Kaluchak massacre]]: Militants attack a bus and an Indian army camp in Kaluchak, [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], killing 31 people and escalating the [[2001–2002 India–Pakistan standoff|India–Pakistan standoff]].<ref name=":17">{{Cite book |last=Yusuf |first=Moeed |title=Brokering Peace in Nuclear Environments: U.S. Crisis Management in South Asia |date=2018 |publisher=Stanford University Press |isbn=978-1-5036-0655-5 |pages=83–84}}</ref>
*[[May 20]] – [[Timor-Leste independence]]: East Timor regains its independence as the Democratic Republic of [[Timor-Leste]] after 2.5 years of United Nations administration and 26 years of [[Indonesian occupation of East Timor|Indonesian occupation]] since 1975.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/05/19/1021801638341.html|title=East Timor celebrates as a nation is born|date=2002-05-20|website=The Age|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=February 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203202856/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/05/19/1021801638341.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[May 22]] – Nepali Prime Minister [[Sher Bahadur Deuba]] asks King [[Gyanendra of Nepal|Gyanendra]] to dissolve the parliament amid escalation of the Nepalese Civil War.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/asa310722002en.pdf |title=Nepal: A Deepening Human Rights Crisis |date=2002 |publisher=Amnesty International |page=4}}</ref>
*[[May 24]] &ndash; United States President [[George W. Bush]] and Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] sign the [[Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-05-24 |title=Bush and Putin sign historic anti-nuclear treaty |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/may/24/russia.usa |access-date=2024-10-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
* [[May 28]] – The [[NATO-Russia Council]] is established.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-05-28 |title=NATO-Russia Council Created |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-a-2002-05-28-21-nato-russia-67269457/379710.html |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref>
* [[May 31]] 
**The [[2002 FIFA World Cup]] begins, taking place in South Korea and Japan.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/may/31/worldcupfootball2002.sport10|title=The opening ceremony: as it happened|last=Murray|first=Scott|date=2002-05-31|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=October 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017170028/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/may/31/worldcupfootball2002.sport10|url-status=live}}</ref>
** The [[Kyoto Protocol]] is ratified by the [[European Union]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/kyoto-protocol-on-climate-change.html#:~:text=On%2031%20May%202002%2C%20the,the%20United%20States%20and%20Australia | title=Kyoto Protocol on climate change &#124; EUR-Lex }}</ref>

===June===
[[File:Quaoar-weywot hst.jpg|thumb|The trans-Neptunian dwarf planet [[Quaoar]] and its moon [[Weywot (moon)|Weywot]]. Quaoar's [[Quaoar#Rings|two rings]] are not resolved in this image.]]
* [[June 3]] – Archaeologists begin uncovering the [[Liye Qin Slips]] in [[Liye]], China.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Xueqin |first1=Li |title=A Preliminary Study of the Qin Period Inscribed Slips from Liye |journal=Chinese Archaeology |date=January 2004 |volume=4 |issue=1 |doi=10.1515/CHAR.2004.4.1.158 }}</ref>
* [[June 4]]
** The ringed dwarf planet [[Quaoar]] is discovered by astronomers [[Chad Trujillo]] and [[Michael E. Brown|Michael Brown]] at the [[Palomar Observatory]].<ref name="jpldataquaoar">{{cite web |type=2023-08-31 last obs |title=JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 50000 Quaoar ({{mp|2002 LM|60}}) |work=NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory |url=https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?sstr=Quaoar |access-date=5 July 2024 }}</ref>
** The [[Zeyzoun Dam]] in [[Zayzun, Hama|Zayzun]], Syria, fails.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-06-04 |title=Syrian dam collapses |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2025583.stm |access-date=2022-12-12 |archive-date=September 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914174803/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2025583.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[June 8]] – The [[Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson]] boxing fight takes place. Following a scuffle prior to the match, [[Lennox Lewis]] defeats [[Mike Tyson]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cancian |first=Dan |date=2021-04-28 |title=Here's What Happened the Last Time Mike Tyson Fought Lennox Lewis |url=https://www.newsweek.com/mike-tyson-lennox-lewis-what-happened-last-fight-1587147 |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref>
* [[June 10]] – British scientist [[Kevin Warwick]] carries out first direct electronic communication experiment between the nervous systems of two humans.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/nervous-system-hookup-leads-to-telepathic-hand-holding|title=Nervous System Hookup Leads to Telepathic Hand-Holding|last=Giaimo|first=Cara|date=2015-06-10|newspaper=Atlas Obscura|language=en|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=June 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611064804/http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/nervous-system-hookup-leads-to-telepathic-hand-holding|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[June 12]] – The [[ImClone stock trading case]] begins when [[ImClone Systems]] CEO [[Samuel D. Waksal]] is arrested for [[insider trading]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-06-13 |title=Former ImClone CEO Samuel Waksal arrested - Jun. 12, 2002 |url=https://money.cnn.com/2002/06/12/news/waksal/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020802223609/http://money.cnn.com/2002/06/12/news/waksal/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 2, 2002 |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=CNN Money}}</ref>
* [[June 13]]
** Afghanistan changes its official longform name to the [[Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan]].<ref name="AFG_constitution">{{Cite web|url=http://president.gov.af/sroot_eng.aspx?id=68|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127090617/http://president.gov.af/sroot_eng.aspx?id=68|url-status=dead|title=Afghanistan ratified a new constitution on 26 Jan 2004|archive-date=November 27, 2010}}</ref><ref>CIA World Factbook 2003</ref>
** The United States withdraws from the [[Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty]] with Russia.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Milbank |first=Dana |date=2002-06-13 |title=U.S. Withdraws From Missile Treaty |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2002/06/14/us-withdraws-from-missile-treaty/ab565e15-9814-43ee-bf46-3e3a5e3d91bd/ |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>
* [[June 14]] – Russia withdraws from the [[START II]] nuclear reduction agreement with the United States.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wyatt |first=Caroline |date=2002-06-14 |title=Russia abandons Start II arms treaty |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2044941.stm |access-date=2024-10-09 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* [[June 22]] – [[2002 Bou'in-Zahra earthquake]]: A 6.5 magnitude earthquake strikes north-western Iran, killing over 200 people.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mahdavifar |first1=Mohammad R. |last2=Solaymani |first2=Shahryar |last3=Jafari |first3=Mohammad K. |title=Landslides triggered by the Avaj, Iran earthquake of June 22, 2002 |journal=Engineering Geology |date=August 2006 |volume=86 |issue=2-3 |pages=166–182 |doi=10.1016/j.enggeo.2006.02.016 |bibcode=2006EngGe..86..166M }}</ref>
* [[June 25]] – The [[WorldCom scandal]] breaks and the [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] begins its investigation into [[WorldCom]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ulick |first=Jake |date=2002-06-26 |title=SEC hits WorldCom with charges |url=https://money.cnn.com/2002/06/25/news/worldcom/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020627101207/http://money.cnn.com/2002/06/25/news/worldcom/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 27, 2002 |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=CNN Money}}</ref>
* [[June 29]] – [[Battle of Yeonpyeong (2002)|Second Battle of Yeonpyeong]]: During the 2002 FIFA World Cup in [[South Korea]] and [[Japan]], two North Korean patrol boats cross a contested border in between the two Koreas and attack two South Korean [[Chamsuri-class patrol boat]]s.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yonhap |title=S. Korea marks 2002 inter-Korean naval skirmish with 'victory' ceremony |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20220629000197 |access-date=23 September 2023 |work=The Korea Herald |date=29 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101071959/https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20220629000197 |archive-date=1 January 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[June 30]] – 2002 FIFA World Cup: Brazil beats Germany 2–0 in the [[2002 FIFA World Cup Final]] with [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]] scoring the two goals; Brazil's captain [[Cafu]], who becomes the first player to appear in three successive World Cup finals, accepts the trophy on behalf of the team.<ref>{{cite news | title = Ronaldo's Sweetest Vindication | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/01/sports/soccer-ronaldo-s-sweetest-vindication.html | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 1 July 2002 | access-date = 22 May 2010 | first = Jere | last = Longman | archive-date = May 1, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110501071146/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/01/sports/soccer-ronaldo-s-sweetest-vindication.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

===July===
[[File:Flag of the African Union.svg|thumb|The flag of the [[African Union]]]]
* [[July 1]] – The [[Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court|Rome Statute]] comes into force, thereby establishing the [[International Criminal Court]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/1970312.stm|title=US renounces world court treaty|date=2002-05-06|website=BBC News|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=July 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726172535/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/1970312.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[July 3]] – NASA launches the [[CONTOUR]] satellite but loses contact.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CONTOUR |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2002-034A |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=National Aeronautics and Space Administration |archive-date=October 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017222453/https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2002-034A |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[July 5]] – The [[Imperial War Museum North]] opens in [[Trafford]], England.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The History of IWM |url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/corporate/IWM-history |website=Imperial War Museum}}</ref>
* [[July 9]]
** The [[Organisation of African Unity]] is disbanded and replaced by the [[African Union]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2115736.stm|title=African Union replaces dictators' club|date=2002-07-08|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=2016-06-04|archive-date=March 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304011606/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2115736.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
** The [[Church of England]] allows divorcees to remarry.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-07-09 |title=Anglican Church eases rules on remarriage |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2002/07/09/Anglican-Church-eases-rules-on-remarriage/3471026187200/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=UPI}}</ref>
* [[July 11]]
** The first synthetic virus is announced after being successfully created and tested at [[Stony Brook University]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pollack |first=Andrew |date=2002-07-12 |title=Traces of Terror: The Science; Scientists Create a Live Polio Virus |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/12/us/traces-of-terror-the-science-scientists-create-a-live-polio-virus.html |access-date=2022-12-11 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211064220/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/12/us/traces-of-terror-the-science-scientists-create-a-live-polio-virus.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
** Former Argentine junta leader [[Leopoldo Galtieri]] is arrested for the kidnap, torture, and murder of 20 leftist guerillas during the [[Dirty War]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGirk |first=Jan |date=2002-07-12 |title=General Galtieri is arrested on torture and murder charges |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/general-galtieri-is-arrested-on-torture-and-murder-charges-183984.html |website=The Independent}}</ref>
** The discovery of the early hominid ''[[Sahelanthropus]]'' is announced.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Radford |first=Tim |date=2002-07-11 |title=Scientists find key evidence of our oldest relative after 25 years searching the Sahara |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/jul/11/research.highereducation |access-date=2024-10-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
* [[July 13]] – Militants attack in Qasim Nagar, Jammu and Kashmir, killing 29 people.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ahmad |first=Mukhtar |date=2002-07-13 |title=29 killed in militant attack in Jammu |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2002/jul/13jk2.htm |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Rediff |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211060403/https://www.rediff.com/news/2002/jul/13jk2.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[July 14]] – The only captive [[baiji]] dolphin dies as the species approaches extinction.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chen |first=Na |date=2002-07-14 |title=Dolphin QiQi is Gone, but Research will Continue |url=https://english.cas.cn/newsroom/archive/news_archive/nu2002/201502/t20150215_136283.shtml |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=Chinese Academy of Sciences |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207161153/https://english.cas.cn/newsroom/archive/news_archive/nu2002/201502/t20150215_136283.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[July 20]] – The [[Machakos Protocol]] is signed during the [[Second Sudanese Civil War]], establishing a framework for peace talks and possible independence of South Sudan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-08-12 |title=Peace talks resume in Kenya |url=https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2002/08/12/peace-talks-resume-kenya |website=The New Humanitarian}}</ref>
* [[July 21]] – At the height of the [[WorldCom scandal]], WorldCom files the largest bankruptcy in American history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beltran |first=Luisa |date=2022-07-22 |title=WorldCom files largest bankruptcy ever |url=https://money.cnn.com/2002/07/19/news/worldcom_bankruptcy/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020804223111/http://money.cnn.com/2002/07/19/news/worldcom_bankruptcy/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 4, 2002 |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=CNN Money}}</ref>
* [[July 23]] – Salvadoran generals [[José Guillermo García]] and [[Carlos Eugenio Vides Casanova]] are found liable for torture in an American court.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bach |first=Trevor |date=2014-06-12 |title=Two Salvadoran Generals Ordered Deported for Civil War Torture |url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/two-salvadoran-generals-ordered-deported-for-civil-war-torture-6395902 |website=Miami New Times}}</ref>
* [[July 25]]–[[August 4]] – The [[2002 Commonwealth Games]] are held in [[Manchester]], England.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-07-26 |title=Manchester memories: Reliving 2002 Commonwealth Games as Glasgow 2014 starts with a bang |url=https://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/sport/26072014-manchester-memories-reliving-2002-commonwealth-games-as-glasgow-2014-starts-with-a-bang/ |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=Mancunian Matters |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* [[July 27]] – The [[Sknyliv air show disaster]] takes place, killing 77, becoming the deadliest [[air show]] accident of all time.

===August===
* [[August 7]] – The [[AKS primality test]] is published by [[Manindra Agrawal]], [[Neeraj Kayal]], and [[Nitin Saxena]] from the [[Indian Institutes of Technology]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weisstein |first=Eric W. |title=MathWorld News: Primality Testing Is Easy |url=https://mathworld.wolfram.com/news/2002-08-07/primetest/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=MathWorld |language=en}}</ref>
* [[August 19]] – [[2002 Khankala Mi-26 crash]]: Chechen separatists shoot down a Russian [[Mil Mi-26]], killing 127 soldiers. It was the worst aviation disaster in the history of the Russian military.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-04-30 |title=Chechen gets life for killing 127 Russian soldiers |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/apr/30/russia.chechnya |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211060405/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/apr/30/russia.chechnya |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[August 22]]–[[September 4]] &ndash; [[Typhoon Rusa]], the most powerful typhoon to hit South Korea in 43 years, makes landfall, killing at least 236 people.<ref name="ifrc99">{{cite report|author=International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies|publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|date=2002-09-09|title=DPR Korea: Typhoon Rusa Information Bulletin No. 2/2002|access-date=2012-07-31|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-peoples-republic-korea/dpr-korea-typhoon-rusa-information-bulletin-no-22002|archive-date=August 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808054037/http://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-peoples-republic-korea/dpr-korea-typhoon-rusa-information-bulletin-no-22002|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="guy">{{cite report |author=Guy Carpenter |date=2003-01-30 |title=Tropical Cyclone Review 2002 |publisher=Marsh & McLennan Companies |access-date=2012-07-25 |url=http://gcportal.guycarp.com/portal/extranet/popup/pdf/GCPub/tropcyc_02.pdf |page=21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206042923/http://gcportal.guycarp.com/portal/extranet/popup/pdf/GCPub/tropcyc_02.pdf |archive-date=2012-02-06 }}</ref>
* [[August 26]]–[[September 4]] – [[Earth Summit 2002]] takes places in [[Johannesburg]], South Africa, aimed at discussing [[sustainable development]] by the [[United Nations]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Tilbury |first=Daniella |date=2003 |title=The World Summit, Sustainable Development and Environmental Education |journal=Australian Journal of Environmental Education |volume=19 |pages=109–113 |doi=10.1017/S0814062600001518 |jstor=44656369 }}</ref>
* [[August 28]] – [[EUMETSAT]] launches the [[Meteosat 8]] satellite as part of its [[Meteosat]] program.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Long-serving European weather satellite safely moved to the "graveyard orbit" |url=https://www.eumetsat.int/long-serving-european-weather-satellite-safely-moved-graveyard-orbit |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=EUMETSAT}}</ref>

===September===
* [[September 10]] – Switzerland joins the [[United Nations]] as the 190th member state after rejecting a place in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2002/GA10041.doc.htm|title=With Admission of Switzerland, United Nations Family Now Numbers 190 Member States|date=2002-09-10|website=United Nations|language=en|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=March 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313224022/https://www.un.org/press/en/2002/GA10041.doc.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[September 11]] – Yemeni [[al-Qaeda]] operative [[Ramzi bin al-Shibh]] is arrested in Pakistan for involvement in the September 11, 2001 attacks. He will later be found [[Competency evaluation (law)|unfit to stand trial]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goksedef |first=Ece |date=2023-09-22 |title=9/11 defendant unfit to stand trial, US judge rules |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66886923 |access-date=2024-10-12}}</ref>
* [[September 14]]–[[September 27|27]] – [[Hurricane Isidore]] crosses Cuba, the [[Yucatán Peninsula]], and [[Louisiana]].<ref name=":18" />
* [[September 19]] – General [[Robert Guéï]] leads an [[2002 Ivorian coup attempt|army mutiny]] in an attempt to overthrow [[Ivory Coast]] President [[Laurent Gbagbo]], resulting in [[First Ivorian Civil War|civil war]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ivory-coast-turmoil-in-a-troubled-country-1.1007287|title=Ivory Coast: Turmoil in a troubled country|newspaper=CBC News|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=September 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923162917/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ivory-coast-turmoil-in-a-troubled-country-1.1007287|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[September 21]]–[[October 4]] – [[Hurricane Lili]] crosses Cuba and several other Caribbean islands before making landfall in Louisiana.<ref name=":18" />
* [[September 26]] - The Senegalese ferry [[MV Le Joola]] sinks off the West African coast with 1,863 people killed according to official reports, making it one of the worst peacetime maritime disasters in history. Only 64 passengers survive.
* [[September 27]] – [[East Timor]] is admitted to the [[United Nations]] as the 191st member state;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2002/ga10069.doc.htm|title=Unanimous Assembly Decision Makes 191st United Nations Member State|website=United Nations|access-date=2016-06-04|archive-date=November 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101142500/https://www.un.org/press/en/2002/ga10069.doc.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> it also changes its official longform name from "Democratic Republic of East Timor" to "Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste".
[[File:Operation Enduring Freedom - djibouti2.jpg|thumb|American and French soldiers in [[Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa]]]]

===October===
* October – [[Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa]]: The United States deploys troops to the [[Horn of Africa]] to combat Islamist groups and pirates.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://sipri.org/sites/default/files/2019-04/sipribp1904.pdf |title=The Foreign Military Presence in the Horn of Africa Region |last=Melvin |first=Neil |date=2019 |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |page=20 |access-date=2022-12-12 |archive-date=December 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212014829/https://sipri.org/sites/default/files/2019-04/sipribp1904.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[October 2]] – Former [[Republika Srpska]] president [[Biljana Plavšić]] pleads guilty to [[crimes against humanity]] for her involvement in the [[Bosnian genocide]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Simons |first=Marlise |date=2002-10-03 |title=Ex-Bosnian Serb Leader Enters Guilty Plea to The Hague |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/international/europe/exbosnian-serb-leader-enters-guilty-plea-to-the-hague.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226233021/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/03/international/europe/exbosnian-serb-leader-enters-guilty-plea-to-the-hague.html |archive-date=2021-02-26 |access-date=2024-10-10 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>
* [[October 4]] – The genome sequences for malaria carriers ''[[anopheles gambiae]]'' and ''[[plasmodium falciparum]]'' are published.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Aultman |first1=Kathryn S. |last2=Gottlieb |first2=Michael |last3=Giovanni |first3=Maria Y. |last4=Fauci |first4=Anthony S. |title=Anopheles gambiae Genome: Completing the Malaria Triad |journal=Science |date=4 October 2002 |volume=298 |issue=5591 |pages=13–13 |doi=10.1126/science.298.5591.13 |pmid=12364752 }}</ref>
* [[October 10]] – The International Court of Justice rules in favor of Cameroon in ''Cameroon v. Nigeria''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Judgment of 10 October 2002 |url=https://www.icj-cij.org/node/103194 |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=International Court of Justice}}</ref>
* [[October 11]] – The [[United States Congress]] approves military action in Iraq should it fail to comply with United Nations requirements for [[weapon of mass destruction|weapons of mass destruction]].
* [[October 12]] – [[Jemaah Islamiyah]] militants [[2002 Bali bombings|detonate multiple bombs]] in two nightclubs in [[Kuta, Bali]], killing 202 people and injuring over 300 people, making it the worst terrorist act in Indonesia's history.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2778923.stm|title=Bali death toll set at 202|date=2003-02-19|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=2016-06-04|archive-date=May 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513062055/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2778923.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 15]] – The [[2002 Somali Reconciliation Conference|Somali Reconciliation Conference]] begins, initiating peace talks between two factions of the [[Somali Civil War]]: the [[Transitional National Government of Somalia|Transitional National Government]] and the government of [[Puntland]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-10-15 |title=Peace talks underway in Kenya |url=https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/report/35154/somalia-peace-talks-underway-kenya |website=The New Humanitarian}}</ref>
* [[October 16]]
** The Indian military stands down from the border with Pakistan, ending the standoff between the two nations.<ref name=":17" />
** The [[Bibliotheca Alexandrina]] opens in [[Alexandria]], Egypt, in a ceremony attended by several heads of state.<ref>{{Cite web |last=El Deeb |first=Sarah |date=2002-10-16 |title=Bibliotheca Alexandrina To Open |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bibliotheca-alexandrina-to-open/ |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[October 17]] – The [[European Space Agency]] launches the [[INTEGRAL]] observatory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=INTEGRAL (INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory) |url=https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/integral#integral-international-gamma-ray-astrophysics-laboratory |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=eoPortal}}</ref>
* [[October 21]] – The discovery of the [[James Ossuary]] is announced.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zohar |first=Gil |date=2023-07-29 |title=James Ossuary, alleged relic of Jesus's brother, to be shown in Dallas |url=https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-752545 |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=The Jerusalem Post}}</ref>
* [[October 23]]–[[October 26|26]] – [[Chechnya|Chechen]] rebels take control of the ''[[Nord-Ost]]'' theatre in [[Moscow]] and [[Moscow theater hostage crisis|hold the audience hostage]]. At least 170 people are killed following a Russian attempt to subdue the militants.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/oct/24/russia.chechnya|title=Chechen gunmen storm Moscow theatre|last=Steele|first=Nick Paton Walsh Jonathan|date=2002-10-23|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=December 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201224650/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/oct/24/russia.chechnya|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 24]]
** The culprits of the [[D.C. sniper attacks]] are arrested after they kill ten people in the United States over the previous three weeks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-20 |title=DC Area Sniper Fast Facts |url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/11/04/us/dc-area-sniper-fast-facts/index.html |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=CNN}}</ref>
** [[2002 Bahraini general election]]: Bahrain holds its first Parliamentary elections since 1973.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bahrain: parliamentary elections Al-Nuwab, 2002 |url=http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2371_02.htm |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=archive.ipu.org |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305012223/http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2371_02.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[October 27]] – [[2002 Brazilian general election]]: [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]] is elected President of Brazil.
* [[October 31]] – Belarus restricts religious activity outside of the [[Belarusian Orthodox Church]] with a new law.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wines |first=Michael |date=2002-11-23 |title=New Belarus Law Codifies Rising Religious Repression |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/23/world/new-belarus-law-codifies-rising-religious-repression.html |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>

=== November ===
[[File:S-vicente2-Prestige oil spill.jpg|thumb|Cleanup after the [[MV Prestige|MV ''Prestige'']] disaster]]
* [[November 3]] – [[2002 Denali earthquake]]: A 7.9 magnitude earthquake, one of the strongest North American earthquakes recorded, occurs in Alaska.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=181}}
* [[November 7]] – A [[2002 Gibraltar sovereignty referendum|sovereignty referendum]] is held in [[Gibraltar]]. The people reject Spanish sovereignty.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=385}}
* [[November 8]] – The [[United Nations Security Council]] unanimously adopts [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441|Resolution 1441]], forcing [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq]] to either [[Iraq disarmament crisis|disarm or face]] "serious consequences".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/30/world/meast/iraq-weapons-inspections-fast-facts/index.html|title=Iraq Weapons Inspections Fast Facts|date=2016-03-04|website=CNN|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=March 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314010652/http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/30/world/meast/iraq-weapons-inspections-fast-facts/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Iraq agrees to the terms of the resolution on November 13.<ref name=":0" />
* [[November 13]] – [[Prestige oil spill|''Prestige'' oil spill]]: Greek oil tanker {{MV|Prestige}} begins spilling oil off the coast of [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]]. It will continue until November 19, spilling 60,000 tonnes of oil in the worst environmental disaster in the history of the [[Iberian Peninsula]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Martinez |first1=Marta Rodriguez |last2=Llach |first2=Laura |date=2022-11-14 |title='Terrifying cocktail': Spain's worst environmental disaster, 20 years |url=https://www.euronews.com/2022/11/14/spains-biggest-environmental-disaster-the-prestige-20-years-after |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Euronews |language=en |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211042302/https://www.euronews.com/2022/11/14/spains-biggest-environmental-disaster-the-prestige-20-years-after |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[November 15]] – [[Hu Jintao]] becomes [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-11-15 |title=Hu confirmed as China's next leader |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/nov/15/china.world1 |access-date=2024-11-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
* [[November 16]] – [[2002–2004 SARS outbreak]]: The first case of the [[SARS|Severe acute respiratory syndrome]] (SARS) epidemic, a [[zoonosis]] caused by a [[coronavirus]], is recorded in [[Guangdong]] province of south China.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Feng |first1=Dan |last2=de Vlas |first2=Sake J. |last3=Fang |first3=Li-Qun |last4=Han |first4=Xiao-Na |last5=Zhao |first5=Wen-Juan |last6=Sheng |first6=Shen |last7=Yang |first7=Hong |last8=Jia |first8=Zhong-Wei |last9=Richardus |first9=Jan Hendrik |last10=Cao |first10=Wu-Chun |date=November 2009 |title=The SARS epidemic in mainland China: bringing together all epidemiological data |journal=Tropical Medicine & International Health |language=en |volume=14 |issue=Suppl 1 |pages=4–13 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-3156.2008.02145.x |pmc=7169858 |pmid=19508441}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.who.int/csr/sars/country/table2004_04_21/en/index.html|title=Summary of probable SARS cases with onset of illness from 1 November 2002 to 31 July 2003|publisher=[[World Health Organization]]|year=2004|access-date=2011-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624025825/http://www.who.int/csr/sars/country/table2004_04_21/en/index.html|archive-date=2011-06-24|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[November 22]] – [[2002 Prague NATO summit|Prague summit]]: [[NATO]] announces seven new countries that intend to join: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-11-22 |title=NATO Summit Closes With Seven New Members |url=https://www.dw.com/en/nato-summit-closes-with-seven-new-members/a-680791 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=Deutsche Welle |language=en}}</ref>
* [[November 25]]
** The [[Hague Code of Conduct]] is signed to regulate [[intercontinental ballistic missiles]] internationally.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HCoC {{!}} HCoC |url=https://www.hcoc.at/what-is-hcoc/frequently-asked-questions.html |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=www.hcoc.at}}</ref>
** U.S. President George W. Bush signs the [[Homeland Security Act of 2002|Homeland Security Act]] into law, establishing the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]], in the largest U.S. government reorganization since the creation of the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] in [[1947]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2512891.stm|title=Bush signs landmark security act|date=2002-11-25|website=BBC News|access-date=2017-01-27|archive-date=October 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020062609/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2512891.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Following a several month-long transitional period, it commences operations the following year.
* [[November 28]] – [[2002 Mombasa attacks]]: Suicide bombers blow up an Israeli-owned hotel in [[Mombasa]], Kenya, but their colleagues fail in their attempt to bring down an [[Arkia|Arkia Israel Airlines]] charter flight with surface-to-air-missiles.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sher |first=Hanan |date=2003 |title=Israel |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23605545 |journal=The American Jewish Year Book |volume=103 |pages=183–280 |jstor=23605545 |issn=0065-8987 |access-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627024124/https://www.jstor.org/stable/23605545 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===December===
*[[December 2]] – Opponents of President Chavez begin [[2002–2003 Venezuelan general strike|a strike]] in Venezuela.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bellos |first=Alex |date=2002-12-28 |title=Strikes force oil-exporting Venezuela to import fuel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/dec/28/venezuela.alexbellos |access-date=2024-10-09 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
*[[December 3]] – The government of Burundi signs a ceasefire with the [[CNDD-FDD]] rebel group to end the [[Burundian Civil War]]. It holds until February 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Burundi: Civilians Pay the Price of Faltering Peace Process |url=https://www.hrw.org/legacy/backgrounder/africa/burundi/burundi0203.htm |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=Human Rights Watch}}</ref>
*[[December 17]]
**A peace agreement is made in the [[Second Congo War]], approving the creation of the [[Transitional Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo]].<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|pages=100–101}}
**The International Court of Justice rules in favor of Malaysia in the [[Ligitan and Sipadan dispute]] with Indonesia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Summary of the Judgment of 17 December 2002 |url=https://www.icj-cij.org/node/103907 |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=International Court of Justice}}</ref>
*[[December 27]]
**[[2002 Grozny truck bombing]]: Chechen suicide bombers attack the government headquarters in [[Grozny]], Russia, killing over 70 people.<ref name=":1" />
**[[2002 Kenyan general election]]: Kenya holds its first free elections, ousting the dominant [[Kenya African National Union]] Party following a victory of the [[National Rainbow Coalition]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Anderson |first=David M. |date=2003 |title=Briefing: Kenya's Elections 2002: The Dawning of a New Era? |journal=African Affairs |volume=102 |issue=407 |pages=331–342 |doi=10.1093/afraf/adg007 |jstor=3518682 }}</ref>
*[[December 29]] – [[Shenzhou 4]] is launched from China.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shenzhou 4 |url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2002-061A |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=National Aeronautics and Space Administration}}</ref>
*[[December 31]] – The [[United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina]] ends.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNMIBH: United Nations Mission in Bosnia Herzegovina - Background |url=https://peacekeeping.un.org/ru/mission/past/unmibh/background.html |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=Bosnia and Herzegovina - UNMIBH |publisher=United Nations Department of Public Information}}</ref>

== Nobel Prizes ==
[[File:Nobel medal.png|right|120px]]
* [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry|Chemistry]] – [[John B. Fenn]] and [[Koichi Tanaka]], [[Kurt Wüthrich]]
* [[Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences|Economics]] – [[Daniel Kahneman]] and [[Vernon L. Smith]]
* [[Nobel Prize in Literature|Literature]] – [[Imre Kertész]]
* [[Nobel Peace Prize|Peace]] – [[Jimmy Carter]]
* [[Nobel Prize in Physics|Physics]] – [[Raymond Davis Jr.]] and [[Masatoshi Koshiba]], [[Riccardo Giacconi]]
* [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine|Physiology or Medicine]] – [[Sydney Brenner]], [[H. Robert Horvitz]], and [[John E. Sulston]]

==Births and deaths==
{{Main|Category:2002 births|Deaths in 2002}}

== See also ==
* [[2002 deaths|Deaths in 2002]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* [http://www.google.com/press/zeitgeist2002.html 2002 Year-End Google Zeitgeist] – Google's Yearly List of Major Events and Top Searches for 2002
* [http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2002/yir/ Top Stories of 2002] - [[CNN]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20021221090431/http://channels.netscape.com/ns/event/yir2002/default.jsp Year in Review] - [[Netscape]]

{{Events by month links}}
{{Portal bar|Modern history}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2002}}
[[Category:2002| ]]