I was thinking about the fact that we are approaching the end of a decade. It was at the very beginning of this decade (January 2000) that I began writing About.com Phoenix, and, like anyone who has lived here for a while, there have been many changes and some memorable events -- both positive and negative. Yes, of course there were memorable moments during the past ten years that affected the nation and the world, but these are the events that occurred to me when I thought about the ones that are specific to the Phoenix area. Do you agree with any of these? Is there something obvious that I have forgotten? Add your "comment" below.
- Arizona Diamondbacks win the World Series. (2001)
- Lori Piestewa was the U.S. first woman in Iraq war and the first Native American woman to die in combat while serving with the U.S. military. (2003)
- Pat Tillman, who left his pro football career with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the army, is killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan. (2004)
- Scottsdale Waterfront development.
- The Baseline Killer (aka Baseline Rapist) gets national attention for murders and rapes committed over almost a year. (2005-2006)
- Arizonans vote to ban smoking in all public places. (2006)
- Rapid growth of outlying areas such Maricopa, Gilbert and Surprise during real estate boom.
- Greater Phoenix home prices boom and subsequent bust.
- Sandra Day O'Connor from Phoenix retires from the U.S. Supreme Court. (2006)
- Development of Glendale, AZ as a sports and entertainment destination (University of Phoenix Stadium, Jobing.com Arena, Westgate City Center, new spring training stadium).
- Jordin Sparks of Glendale, Arizona becomes youngest American Idol. (2007)
- The introduction of light rail in Phoenix and Tempe. (2008)
- Arizona Senator John McCain runs for President. (2008)
- Arizona's Governor, Janet Napolitano, is the first woman to take the position of U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. (2009)
- Arizona Cardinals go to the Super Bowl. (2009)
Comments
Joe Arpaio’s immigration raids
The Phoenix Suns become the darlings of the NBA (2004)
Scottsdale waterfront???????
Same erroneous math that was so commonly displayed in 1999 – this decade ends at the end of NEXT year (2010). You don’t count to 10 by starting from 0 and counting to 9, do you?
Hi Nancy,
It’s a common and well-argued issue. If you prefer, think of the question as relating to special moments of the 00’s (a la the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s).
Hi Mary Anne,
Is that a questions or are you just disagreeing? Downtown Scottsdale has significantly developed in the past 10 years, one of the notable areas being the near the canal.
Baseline killer actually got some worldwide media coverage: my Dad lives in Bostwana and knew about it – was worried that maybe I could end up a victim too!
Sun City, Arizona, is celebrating its 50th year in 2010 with a variety of activities. It was the very first retirement community in the country and continues to be the BEST.