Slideshows

The Last Dow 10,000: How the World Has Changed

Paul Toscano@paul.toscano@ToscanoPaul
WATCH LIVE

Dow at 10,000: Then and Now

With the Dow Jones Industrial Average crossing the 10,000 point mark for the first time since 2008, we wanted to take a peek back in time to compare what America was like the very first time the Dow crossed 10,000 mark (March 29th, 1999) to today.What were some of the most cutting-edge products, who was the highest paid athlete, and what were the hottest topics buzzing around the internet? For these and more comparisons, check out the following slideshow!
Photo: (left) Henny Ray Abrams | AFP | Getty Images  (right) Oliver Quillia for CNBC.com

With the Dow Jones Industrial Average crossing the 10,000 point mark for the first time since 2008, we wanted to take a peek back in time to compare what America was like the very first time the Dow crossed 10,000 mark (March 29th, 1999) to today.

What were some of the most cutting-edge products, who was the highest paid athlete, and what were the hottest topics buzzing around the internet? For these and more comparisons, check out the following slideshow!

By Paul Toscano
Posted 14 Oct 2009

Popular TV Shows

Friends, Who Wants To Be a Millionaire (Debut)American Idol
Photo: (left) NBC  (right) F Micelotta | American Idol 2009 | Getty Images

1999: Friends, Who Wants To Be a Millionaire (Debut)

2009: American Idol

Apple's Cutting-Edge Computer

iBook G3 MacBook Air
Photo: (left) Apple  (right) AP

1999: iBook G3

2009: MacBook Air

Portable Music Players

Sony CD Walkman Ipod Nano Video
Photo: (left) AP  (right) AP

1999: Sony CD Walkman

2009: Ipod Nano Video

World's Sexiest Woman

Sarah Michelle Gellar, according to FHM Magazine*    Kate Beckinsale, according to Esquire Magazine*
Photo: (left) Getty Images  (right) Getty Images

1999: Sarah Michelle Gellar

2009: Cheryl Cole

Source: FHM Magazine

Sexiest Man Alive

1999 -  Richard Gere (People)2009 -  Hugh Jackman (People, 2008)
Photo: (left) Getty Images  (right) AP

1999: Richard Gere

2009:  Hugh Jackman (2008)

Source: People Magazine

Hot Topics On The Internet

File sharing service Napster debuts in the summer of 1999 (June 1)Twitter has been estimated to be worth $1 billion

1999: File sharing service Napster debuts in the summer of 1999.

2009: Twitter has been estimated to be worth as much as $1 billion.

US National Debt

1999 - $5.656 trillion (9/30/1999)2009 - $11.909 trillion (9/30/2009)
Photo: AP

1999: $5.656 trillion (9/30/1999)

2009: $11.909 trillion (9/30/2009)

Source: Treasury Direct

Song of the Year

Britney Spears - Baby One More Time Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow**
(left) AP  (right) AP

1999: Britney Spears - Baby One More Time

2009: Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow*

*Song currently with the most weeks on the top charts while also reaching the #1 spot

Source: Billboard

USA Median Home Prices

$133,300 $174,100
Photo: Real Estate Brokers of Alaska

1999 Q1: $133,300

2009 Q2: $174,100

Source: National Association of Realtors

World's Richest Person

Bill Gates - $90 billion Bill Gates - $50 billion
Photo: (left) AP  (right) Getty Images

1999: Bill Gates - $90 billion

2009: Bill Gates - $50 billion

Source: Forbes

Biggest Market Cap

Microsoft (MSFT) - $452.33 billion(3/31/99) ExxonMobil (XOM) - $335.2 billion(10/13/09)
Photo: (left) AP  (right) AP

1999:
Microsoft (MSFT) - $452.33 billion
(3/31/99)

2009:
ExxonMobil (XOM) - $335.2 billion
(10/13/09)

Cost of Healthcare

Nat'l Health Expenditures: $1.265 trillionGDP: $9.125 trillionPercent of GDP: 13.9%Nat'l Health Expenditures: $2.555 trillion (projected)GDP: $14.26 trillion (2008)Percent of GDP: $17.9%
Source: US Dept of Health and Human Services // US Census Bureau // BEA.gov

1999:
Nat'l Health Expenditures: $1.265 trillion
GDP: $9.125 trillion
Percent of GDP: 13.9%

2009:
Nat'l Health Expenditures: $2.555 trillion (projected)
GDP: $14.26 trillion (2008)
Percent of GDP: $17.9%

Highest Paid American Athletes

1999 - Shaquille O'Neal - 7 years, $120 million2009 - Alex Rodriguez - 10 years, $275 million
Photo: (left) AP  (right) Getty Image

1999: Shaquille O'Neal - 7 years, $120 million

2009: Alex Rodriguez - 10 years, $275 million

Hottest Toys of the Year

Pokemon, Furby and Furby BabiesDisney Netpal, Wii Sports Resort
Photo: (left) AP (right) Toys 'R Us

1999:
Pokemon, Furby and Furby Babies

2009:
Disney Netpal, Wii Sports Resort

Source: Retailers

Motor Trend Car of the Year

1999 - Chrysler 300M2009 - Nissan GT-R
Source: Motor Trend

1999: Chrysler 300M

2009: Nissan GT-R

Average US Gas Prices

$1.29/gallon $2.52/gallon
Photo: (left) AP (right) AP

Oct 1999: $1.29/gallon

Oct 2009: $2.52/gallon

Source: Energy Information Administration

Highest Grossing Film (Worldwide)

- Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom MenaceBox Office Revenues: $924.3 million - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Box Office Revenues: $927.7 million
Source: Box Office Mojo

1999:
Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace
Box Office Revenues: $924.3 million

2009:
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Box Office Revenues: $927.7 million (To Date)

Best Selling Books

Fiction: The Testament by John GrishamNon-Fiction: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch AlbomFiction: The Lost Symbol by Dan BrownNon-Fiction: Common Sense by Glenn Beck
Photo: Amazon.com

1999:
Fiction: The Testament by John Grisham
Non-Fiction: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

2009:
Fiction: The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
Non-Fiction: Common Sense by Glenn Beck

Source: Publishers Weekly // New York Times

United States Population

July 1, 1999 - 272,690,813Sept 1 2009 - 307,327,042
Photo: Getty Images

July 1, 1999: 272,690,813

Sept 1 2009: 307,327,042

Source: US Census Bureau

Best Selling Video Game

Pokémon Gold and SilverPlatform: Game BoyReleased: 1999Units Sold: Approx. 23 million Wii Fit (w/ Balance Board)Platform: WiiReleased: May 2008Units sold: 2,434,000
Photo: (left) AP (right) Nintendo

1999:
Pokémon Gold and Silver
Platform: Game Boy
Released: 1999
Units Sold: Approx. 23 million

2009:
Wii Fit (w/ Balance Board)
Platform: Wii
Released: May 2008
Units sold: 2,434,000

Source: NPD Group