Here's What We Were Doing When the Dow Hit 10,000

Fans line up at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York 0 (Credit: Photo by STAN HONDA AFP--Getty Images)

The Dow Jones industrial average is inching closer to 20,000 for the very first time in its history, and is likely to hit it before the 2016 ball drops. It's a noteworthy milestone. The first time it hit 10,000, on Mar. 29, 1999, the world was a very different place. (It crossed a number of times after, including, the last time, in 2009 after the financial crisis.) iPhones did not exist yet. Donald Trump was in the midst of divorcing his second wife Marla Maples. Listening to CDs was not, yet, ironic. Dow points can start to feel meaningless. But the full rundown of what we were watching, the songs we were singing, and the phones we were using when the Dow cracked five-digits for the first time, gives you a good sense of how long it has taken the Dow to trek the last 10,000 points, and how long it could take to do the next 10K.

Sports

Michael Jordan during the 1998 NBA All-Star Game.Steve Freeman NBAE/Getty Images

Steve Freeman NBAE/Getty Images

announced he was retiringDenver Broncos defeated the Atlanta FalconsYankee baseball legend Joe Dimaggio

Music

The Backstreet Boys in 1999.Diane Freed Getty Images

Diane Freed Getty Images

the Backstreet Boys were the highest paidmost popular songs of 1999...Baby One More TimeLivin La Vida LocaSmooth

Television

From left: Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, Linda Cardellini, and James Franco from 'Freaks and Geeks'NBC NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

NBC NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Freaks and Geekswas first being releasedNetflixThe West WingIt went on to run for seven seasons

Movies

Actor Tim Allen, Buzz Lightyear, actor Tom Hanks and Woody attend the "Toy Story 2" Themed NASCAR Racing Cars Unveiling on October 23, 1999 at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California.Ron Galella, Ltd. WireImage

Photo by Ron Galella--WireImage

top three grossing moviesStar Wars: Episode IThe Sixth SenseToy Story 2won the OscarSaving Private RyanShakespeare in Lovetook home the trophy

Celebrities

Renee Zellweger and Jim Carrey in 2000.Jeff Kravitz FilmMagic, Inc

Jeff Kravitz FilmMagic, Inc

were engaged in 1999

Tech

The Nokia 3210 cell phone.ullstein bild via Getty Images

ullstein bild via Getty Images

most popular cell phonesNokiahe looped a hula hoop around the laptop