The most striking photos that document the 21st century so far

From pop culture highlights to sporting firsts, these photos tell the world’s story over the past decades - (ES Composite)

As the first quarter of the 21st century comes to a close, the dawn of the millennium really does feel like a very long time ago.

In 2000, there were no iPhones (they were invented in 2007) and no Instagram (2004). And not many people, presumably, predicted they would be affected by a worldwide pandemic in their lifetimes.