Year 2002

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Events this year

January 1, 2002★★★★★

Euro banknotes and coins enter circulation

Euro cash enters circulation in twelve European Union countries, replacing national currencies such as the franc, the Deutsche Mark and the lira.

Economy· Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain

May 20, 2002★★★★★

Independence of Timor-Leste

Following the 1999 referendum and a period of UN administration, East Timor becomes an independent state.

Politics· Timor-Leste, Indonesia

July 9, 2002★★★★★

African Union launched

The African Union was formally launched in Durban, replacing the Organisation of African Unity.

Politics· South Africa

Ongoing

July 23, 1983 – May 18, 2009★★★★★

Sri Lankan Civil War

A 26-year armed conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ends in the LTTE's defeat.

War· Sri Lanka

August 2, 1998 – July 18, 2003★★★★★

Second Congo War

War in the Democratic Republic of the Congo drew in the armies of numerous African states; the fighting and associated famine and disease caused millions of deaths.

War· DR Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia