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 When the year 2000 began many people thought that the world would go under and that computer and aircraft's wouldn't work. A lot of money was spent on different kinds of things which were stopping computers to crash and so on. But not so many problems appeared. Instead people all around the world celebrated the new millennium in the biggest party ever in world history. Many thought that it would be a busy night for the police, but it was just like an ordinary Friday. It was very cold in Sweden about 15 minus, but it didn't stop people to have a good time celebrating the new year. Most people celebrated the new millennium with their family or with their relatives.
Sweden Stockholm Stockholm had a big celebration. Many people gathered at Skeppsholmen to hear Europe sing "Final countdown" before the clock struck twelve. When the clock struck twelve many champagne bottles were opened and you could see the sky filled with fireworks. You could also see on big television screens how they celebrated the millennium all around the world. People who didn't. t have anything to drink could buy champagne for 300 Swedish crowns. There were at least 300 000 people celebrating the new millennium in Stockholm. Japan Tokyo Japan was the first country in the Northern hemisphere to celebrate the New Year. A countdown event took place on the Tokyo waterfront, with traditional Japanese boats, fireworks and laser displays. In Japan many eyes were directed to Tokyo because they did' t know how the computers, electricity, water and nuclear plants would react on New Year' s Eve. The only problem was that the cell phones stopped working, but a couple of hours later everything was back to normal. The reason that the cell phones stopped working was because too, many people rang to each other. Most Japanese stayed at home to celebrated the new millennium in a traditional kind of way with their families or their relatives. At Zojoji temple in the city of Tokyo thousands of balloons were sent up in the sky, each balloon symbolized the people' s wishes. At midnight bells rang 108 times from Buddhist temples to dispel the 108 desires that humans are thought to have. After that they started the New Year with a clean slate, a Buddhist tradition. USA New York In USA thousands of people gathered to celebrate the new year at Times Square in New-York. An amazing show was promised, but many people were worried that terrorists would attack the crowd. Many policemen went undercover, all the trashcans and mailboxes were removed to prevent a booming. At Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado American and Russian experts supervised that no nuclear devices were launched accidentally at New Year’s Eve. Many were also worried how the computers would react when the clock struck twelve on New Year’s Eve, but nothing happened. Hong Kong Many Hong Kong citizens celebrated New Year's Eve at the hoarse race track in Happy Valley. Just 45 minutes after midnight the first horse racing was taken place at Happy Valley in Hong Kong followed by a concert and fireworks. To welcome the New Year, bells and drums from churches and temples across Hong Kong sounded and ferries and cars were encouraged to toot their horns. Locals waved torches and lights at prominent locations around the town. There were also a dragon parade, fireworks and the top local pop artists performed at Happy Valley. ITALY Rome Three areas was designated for the celebrations: St Peter's Square, Piazza del Quirinale and Piazza del Popolo. A concert of classical music was taken place in St Peter's Square, the National Orchestra of RAI (an Italian television station) performed at Piazza del Quirinale, while pop music took the stage at Piazza del Popolo. Fireworks were being let off at midnight. A giant display was set off from Rome's former airport Centocelle. The Pope led Vespers at 6pm in St Peter's church and gave a blessing at midnight. ENGLAND
The Millennium was celebrated with the opening of the big Millennium dome, located on the world's Prime Meridian. world's Prime Meridian. The International Time Standard is as you know also based there, with a massive exhibition and a arena under a 20-acre dome. Closer to London, you were able to ride on the Millennium Wheel, a 500-foot observation wheel on the Thames. There was a huge gathering at Trafalgar Square too. Huge crowds from the UK and from abroad congregated in Central London and so there were a major series of events, entertainment and activities along the River Thames. France Paris If The New Millennium's Eve was like other New Year's Eves, Parisians were popping champagne corks on the Place de la Concorde. Also, the banks of the Seine were up. The city's ring-road became a massive venue of concerts and illuminated ferries were being erected in Place de la Concorde, as well as a massive sundial, with an obelisk at its center. A giant egg descended from inside the Eiffel Tower. At midnight, 24 wheels started rotating around the Eiffel Tower before it burst into an illumination, with lights and flashes. Germany Berlin More than one million visitors where expected to take part in Berlin's celebrations, which included gala events in large theatres along the Spree. Central city areas around the Brandenburg Gate and Kurfurstendamm were turned into open air arenas. A New Year's Eve promenade took place between the Victory Column, Pariser Platz, the Brandenburg Gate, the Unter den Linden and the Gendermenmarkt. Spain Madrid
How did you celebrate the new year?
© 2000 Freeway |
London
In a town with a reputation for all-night
partying, the millennium went into something to remember. Many people came
to jam at Madrid's Puerto del Sol plaza on December 31, 1999 to hear the
clock strike "12", amid fireworks, confetti, live music, and dance.
Sleeping were not an option.