b'FIRST QUARTER CENTURYThose who were around on 1st January 2000 will remember the universal feelings of hope and anticipation as we entered a new Millenium. A quarter century later the new Bridge Editorial Team looks back at momentous events in those 25 years.2001 2004 20089/11 Boxing Day tsunami9/11 was, andUsually, Boxing Day is a joyous occasion still is, the mostwhere many friends and family rejoice devastatingand celebrate by going out shopping terrorist attack ofor watching exclusive sporting this century, andevents. However, this was far from arguably of all time.what transpired that day, as on 26th On 11th SeptemberDecember 2004 there was a devastating 2001, two planes9.2-9.3 magnitude earthquake with its piloted by Al-Qaedaepicentre at Sumatra, Indonesia, killing terrorists crashedan estimated 228,000 people across into the Twin Towers15 countries. Specifically, Indonesia, Sri in New York, an attack which resulted in the loss ofLanka, India, the Maldives and Thailand nearly 3,000 lives. Other locations in the U.S. werewere particularly hard hit, and the also targeted. Amongst the huge loss of life weretsunami was so monstrous that it was eight paramedics, 55 military personnel, 71 lawable to reach the east coast of Africa, enforcement officers and 343 firefighters, all losingwith some waves as high as 30m.their lives while attempting to save others. StephenLooking back, the Boxing Day tsunami Siller, for example, was a New York firefightercan be seen as the most significantPresident Obamaarriving home after a night shift and looking forwardnatural disaster in recorded history. It to playing golf with his brother that day, whenexposed the vulnerability of coastalOn 4th November 2008, history was he heard news of the attacks and immediatelypopulations and the lack of effective earlymade when Barack Obama was drove back to Manhattan to help in rescue efforts.warning systems in the Indian Ocean,elected the 44th President of the Blocked by traffic near the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel,as in some places they had no warningUnited States, being the first African he abandoned his car and ran the 5km to the Twinwhatsoever and only responded whenAmerican to ever hold the office. His Towers carrying 60lbs of equipment on his back.they saw the cataclysmic wave crashingvictory marked a major milestone in Stephen was tragically killed leading people frominto the coast. American history, as it symbolised their offices when the Towers collapsed. Todayprogress which had been achieved his heroism is commemorated by the Tunnel toin the United States in the long Towers Run, an annual5km event organised in hisstruggle for civil rights and equality, memory which follows the same route Stephen ranand was a defining moment in the to save others the day the Twin Towers fell. countrys racial and political history Although this event is looked upon with greatand progression.sadness, many changes took place followingBarack Obama was born in Hawaii that terrible day to prevent such an attack everin 1961 to a Kenyan father and a happening again. The main consequence waswhite American mother. The future strengthening security infrastructure by creatingpresident worked as a community new agencies all over the world. An example is theorganiser in Chicago and served Department of Homeland Security, which helpsin the Illinois State Senate before to prevent terrorist attacks. Another consequencebeing elected to the U.S. Senate was implementing stricter airport securityin 2004. Just four years later, measures, with better screening procedures forhis message of hope and unity passengers and baggage, reinforcing cockpitcarried him to the White House, doors, arming pilots and improving passengerHowever, its evident that this terriblehis rise from modest beginnings to identification.disaster only brought humans closerpresident becoming a symbol of 9/11 was the most shocking and devastatingtogether as the tsunami kickstarted anprogress and unity which led to his attack in this century, and people of all faiths andunexpected humanitarian response. Overbeing awarded the Nobel Peace none still come together to mourn the loss of every$14 billion was donated worldwide forPrize in 2009, a legacy of possibility person who was tragically killed. Many work hardrelief and rebuilding efforts. It also helpedfor generations to come. Re-elected today to reach out to their neighbours, to buildglobal solidarity and increased awarenessas president in 2012, Barack bridges and strong communities. Their good workof natural disaster risks. Now, its legacyObama is now regarded as an elder and continuous efforts send out a clear messagelives on and serves as a reminder ofstatesman in the United States, about September 11th: Never again. the danger of natural disasters and thea world figure who is still active in Charlie Clayton, Year 10 importance of effective warning systems. politics today.Rayyan Khan, Year 10 David Daniel, Year 1030'