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Y2K Nostalgia: See historical photos of new millennium panic before the year 2000

Updated Dec. 18, 2024, 3:38 p.m. ET
According to the National Museum of American History, “the term Year 2000 bug, also known as the millennium bug and abbreviated as Y2K, referred to potential computer problems which might have resulted when dates used in computer systems moved from the year 1999 to the year 2000.” In an effort to save space, earlier electronic computers “abbreviated the four-digit year designation and stored only the final two digits," according to the museum. “The fear was that when clocks struck midnight on January 1, 2000, affected computer systems, unsure of the year, would fail to operate and cause massive power outages, transportation systems to shut down, and banks to close. Widespread chaos would ensue.” “Research firm Gartner estimated the cost of Y2K remediation to be $300 - $600 billion. Businesses and government organizations created special technology teams to ensure that all hardware and software was Y2K compliant (Y2KC).” In this file photo, Sam and Ria Skemp and the pet Chihuahua, Rattel, celebrate the New Year on Dec. 31, 1999, at home with party and all of the things they bought for Y2K, including gas masks.
According to the National Museum of American History, “the term Year 2000 bug, also known as the millennium bug and abbreviated as Y2K, referred to potential computer problems which might have resulted when dates used in computer systems moved from the year 1999 to the year 2000.” In an effort to save space, earlier electronic computers “abbreviated the four-digit year designation and stored only the final two digits," according to the museum. “The fear was that when clocks struck midnight on January 1, 2000, affected computer systems, unsure of the year, would fail to operate and cause massive power outages, transportation systems to shut down, and banks to close. Widespread chaos would ensue.” “Research firm Gartner estimated the cost of Y2K remediation to be $300 - $600 billion. Businesses and government organizations created special technology teams to ensure that all hardware and software was Y2K compliant (Y2KC).” In this file photo, Sam and Ria Skemp and the pet Chihuahua, Rattel, celebrate the New Year on Dec. 31, 1999, at home with party and all of the things they bought for Y2K, including gas masks.
John Partipilo, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
Drivers line up for gas on New Year's Eve 1999 in Eugene, Ore.
Drivers line up for gas on New Year's Eve 1999 in Eugene, Ore.
The Register-Guard Via USA TODAY Network
Some of the many New Year's resolutions posted on a wall at Broadway and Willamette in in Eugene, Ore., Jan. 2, 2000.
Some of the many New Year's resolutions posted on a wall at Broadway and Willamette in in Eugene, Ore., Jan. 2, 2000.
Nicole Devito, The Register-Guard Via USA TODAY Network
Businesses around the Valley in California sell Y2K survival gear on Dec. 16, 1999.
Businesses around the Valley in California sell Y2K survival gear on Dec. 16, 1999.
Myung J. Chun, Los Angeles Times Via Getty Images
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Headquarters Emergency Support Team in Washington conducts a teleconference with all FEMA Regional Offices and essential government agencies in preparation for Y2K. FEMA officials say, based on information form the President's Council on Y2K, they anticipate no major national disruptions, but have planned for the possibility of smaller localized disruptions that may occur at about the same time across the country.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Headquarters Emergency Support Team in Washington conducts a teleconference with all FEMA Regional Offices and essential government agencies in preparation for Y2K. FEMA officials say, based on information form the President's Council on Y2K, they anticipate no major national disruptions, but have planned for the possibility of smaller localized disruptions that may occur at about the same time across the country.
Handout Via Reuters
Petar Vatev, head engineer of a 440-megawatt reactor, number three, looks at monitoring computers in the unit's operational room of the Nuclear power plant in town of Kozloduy, some 200 km north of Sofia December 28. Bulgaria's soviet-era Kozloduy nuclear power plant said on Tuesday it had completed preparations for 2000 rollover and was ready to react to any emergencies.
Petar Vatev, head engineer of a 440-megawatt reactor, number three, looks at monitoring computers in the unit's operational room of the Nuclear power plant in town of Kozloduy, some 200 km north of Sofia December 28. Bulgaria's soviet-era Kozloduy nuclear power plant said on Tuesday it had completed preparations for 2000 rollover and was ready to react to any emergencies.
Oleg Popov, Reuters
This 1975 "Y2K Compliant" Chevrolet Truck on Third Avenue in Franklin, Tenn., on Sept. 21, 1999.
This 1975 "Y2K Compliant" Chevrolet Truck on Third Avenue in Franklin, Tenn., on Sept. 21, 1999.
Kevin Whitledge, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
U.S. Secretary of of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala (L) and Chairman of the President's Y2K Council John Koskinen present the results of a year-long survey on possible pharmaceutical drug shortages in 2000 during a news conference in Washington, December 28. Shalala stated no significant Y2K-related problems with the nation's drug supplies should be expected next year.
U.S. Secretary of of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala (L) and Chairman of the President's Y2K Council John Koskinen present the results of a year-long survey on possible pharmaceutical drug shortages in 2000 during a news conference in Washington, December 28. Shalala stated no significant Y2K-related problems with the nation's drug supplies should be expected next year.
Mike Theiler, Reuters
A Thai Airways pilot sets the time and date on a computerised clock to 2320 hours, December 31, 1999, in the cockpit of a 747 jet before taking off on a one hour flight from Bangkok airport to test their Y2K readiness on October 8. The plane landed safely at the airport after the flight, showing successful Y2K compliance of its systems.
A Thai Airways pilot sets the time and date on a computerised clock to 2320 hours, December 31, 1999, in the cockpit of a 747 jet before taking off on a one hour flight from Bangkok airport to test their Y2K readiness on October 8. The plane landed safely at the airport after the flight, showing successful Y2K compliance of its systems.
Sukree Sukplang, Reuters
A workman climbs across flag poles during cleaning work in front of a millennium countdown clock outside a Hong Kong shopping mall Dec. 2, 1999. Hong Kong, which will be celebrating the new millennium with countdowns, light shows and parties, is hoping that the festive atmosphere will help strengthen the local economy which has been in the doldrums ever since the Asian economic crisis began two years ago.
A workman climbs across flag poles during cleaning work in front of a millennium countdown clock outside a Hong Kong shopping mall Dec. 2, 1999. Hong Kong, which will be celebrating the new millennium with countdowns, light shows and parties, is hoping that the festive atmosphere will help strengthen the local economy which has been in the doldrums ever since the Asian economic crisis began two years ago.
Robyn Beck, AFP Via Getty Images
A saleswoman for American computer firm IBM demonstrates a Y2K compliant computer program to several prospective clients in their display booth at the international conference of the Y2K millenium computer bug in Manila 02 March. Experts sought to allay doomsday fears over the Y2K millenium bug ruling out global recession and accidental nuclear missile launches, adding however , that there would be problems in some countries that are not yet fully prepared to fight the glitch.
A saleswoman for American computer firm IBM demonstrates a Y2K compliant computer program to several prospective clients in their display booth at the international conference of the Y2K millenium computer bug in Manila 02 March. Experts sought to allay doomsday fears over the Y2K millenium bug ruling out global recession and accidental nuclear missile launches, adding however , that there would be problems in some countries that are not yet fully prepared to fight the glitch.
Romeo Gacad, AFP Via Getty Images
Valerie Keartes, of Eugene, watches fireworks through her year 2000 classes in Eugene, Ore.
Valerie Keartes, of Eugene, watches fireworks through her year 2000 classes in Eugene, Ore.
Thomas Boyd, The Register-Guard Via USA TODAY Network
A woman stocks up on supplies on New Year's Eve in Eugene, Ore., 1999.
A woman stocks up on supplies on New Year's Eve in Eugene, Ore., 1999.
The Register-Guard Via USA TODAY Network
Employee Michael Smith, of Little and Steele Hardware, examines items that are for sale in the Y2K section of the hardware store on Craighead Street in Nashville, Tenn., April 23, 1999.
Employee Michael Smith, of Little and Steele Hardware, examines items that are for sale in the Y2K section of the hardware store on Craighead Street in Nashville, Tenn., April 23, 1999.
Robert Johnson, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
USA TODAY front page, millennium edition.
USA TODAY front page, millennium edition.
Leslie Smith, USA TODAY Network
Jodi Didier looks over her Y2K storage area at her home using a wind-up flash light. Didier teaches a course entitled, "How to Prepare for the Y2K" at Rock Valley College in Rockford, Ill.
Jodi Didier looks over her Y2K storage area at her home using a wind-up flash light. Didier teaches a course entitled, "How to Prepare for the Y2K" at Rock Valley College in Rockford, Ill.
Rockford Register Star Via USA TODAY Network
Walt Spencer, finance officer with the Henderson County School System works on installing a new server for the system's business office as part of a on going effort to replace older equipment with new Y2K compliant machines, Dec. 22, 1999.
Walt Spencer, finance officer with the Henderson County School System works on installing a new server for the system's business office as part of a on going effort to replace older equipment with new Y2K compliant machines, Dec. 22, 1999.
Mike Lawrence, The Gleaner Via USA TODAY Network
The front pages of various New York and Washington newspapers published Jan. 1, 2000.
The front pages of various New York and Washington newspapers published Jan. 1, 2000.
Leslie Smith, USA TODAY Network
The Department of Defense Logistics Systems were tested for Y2K compliance as the media watched at the TRW building in Fairfax, Va., July 13, 1999. Here, Amanda Miller helps with the tests.
The Department of Defense Logistics Systems were tested for Y2K compliance as the media watched at the TRW building in Fairfax, Va., July 13, 1999. Here, Amanda Miller helps with the tests.
Tim Dillon, USA TODAY Network
A compound in the back of the building at 5312 S Stone Rd. in South Range, Wis., built by families preparing for Y2K.
A compound in the back of the building at 5312 S Stone Rd. in South Range, Wis., built by families preparing for Y2K.
Ben Busam, USA TODAY Network
Fuji technician Randy Williams installs a new chip into the Williamson A.M. film processor in Franklin, Tenn., on Jan. 25, 1999, that makes it Y2K compliant.
Fuji technician Randy Williams installs a new chip into the Williamson A.M. film processor in Franklin, Tenn., on Jan. 25, 1999, that makes it Y2K compliant.
John Partipilo, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
Mark Gill stack cases of water at the Super Walmart off Charlotte Pike to have ready for folks still concerned about Y2K in Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 31, 1999.
Mark Gill stack cases of water at the Super Walmart off Charlotte Pike to have ready for folks still concerned about Y2K in Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 31, 1999.
Billy Kingsley, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
Some of the many New Year's resolutions posted on a wall at Broadway and Willamette in in Eugene, Ore., Jan. 2, 2000.
Some of the many New Year's resolutions posted on a wall at Broadway and Willamette in in Eugene, Ore., Jan. 2, 2000.
Nicole Devito, The Register-Guard Via USA TODAY Network
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