John Howard was Prime Minister. Amazing by Alex Lloyd topped the Hottest 100 music countdown. And most people in Australia could still afford to buy a house.
The Twin Towers had just come down in New York. Sydney was only 12 months on from hosting an Olympics dubbed the 'best Games ever'. Wikipedia got launched. Apple unveiled the first iPod (kids, ask your parents). And Ansett airlines went into administration.
The year was 2001.
A different time and a different place. One that feels like only yesterday, while also another world away.
October 4, 2026, will mark 9135 days since the Newcastle Knights last featured in an NRL grand final.
Fourteen other clubs have played the men's decider in the quarter of a century since, with Melbourne Storm leading the way on 11 appearances during that exact same period.
No other fan base of current sides has been starved of a visit to the main stage for as long right now, outside Gold Coast and relative newcomers the Dolphins who are both yet to ever qualify.
So it's been quite a wait in the Hunter. Actually, a really long wait. And a wait that has endured plenty of twists and turns along the way.
Five wooden spoons, record loses, nine coaching changes, off-field dramas and ownership issues.
There's been glimmers of hope and some good times as well, but breaking that drought this weekend marks a significant moment.
MORE KNIGHTS:
Historical context is one of the things making this thing, such a thing. Because, it's a thing. Like Mabo or the vibe as The Castle lawyer Dennis Denuto famously put it.
Here's the other chief (pun intended) strands of such an endearing narrative.
One: the almost unheard of storyline from last on the ladder to title showdown in the space of a single season. A sporting fairytale in anyone's books and regardless of code.
Two: the more immediate finals series. Coming from seventh spot to survive three sudden-death encounters, Rabbitohs away and the Warriors at Eden Park before culminating in a preliminary showdown for the ages.
Down to 12 men for the entire second half, somehow scoring 16 unanswered points and conquering minor premiers Penrith, the most dominant team of the modern era.
Oh, and did I mention an intercept against the run of play, heart-in-mouth footrace over 85 metres, a city willing halfback Sandon Smith across the tryline, to seal it all with barely any time left on the clock?
If there was a roof at Homebush, it's now orbiting somewhere between here and Mars. Absolute scenes.
So what does it all mean? It's hard to explain. But here's a glimpse into this red-and-blue tidal wave of emotion now sweeping across the region.
Houses being painted, landmarks lighting up, tattoos inked, tug boats dancing in the harbour and the Johns brothers, homegrown architects of a golden age in club history, simply breaking down in tears.
Silverchair almost got back together, train trackwork delayed, a publicised bus route to bid farewell, car horns sounding just because and strangers in the street saying "up the Knights" to every second person.
A midweek training session at the stadium attended by over 10,000 supporters and the same Turton Road venue selling out in the blink of an eye to watch the big game live - united as one.
Who knows what transpires over the next 80 minutes but win, lose or draw against the Sydney Roosters at Accor Stadium on Sunday night (7.30pm), this team has already done Newcastle proud.
Underlying it all during a memorable run has been four key pillars, designated by the Knights before competition even got under way: "Tradition. Grit. Inspire. Win." Now it's time for one more round.
