Step Back Into….2006

Facebook and Twitter opened to the public

The Pittsburgh Steelers are victorious

By Paula Green

The International Astronomical Union voted to reclassify Pluto as a dwarf planet, reducing the solar system’s planet count from nine to eight. Music was shifting toward digital dominance, and social media was beginning to reshape communication. Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” was “You,” in commemoration of all Internet users. Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States died on December 26 at the age of 93.

Average: The average income was $40,607, while the median home price was $219,300. The average cost of a new car was approximately $23,269. Gasoline was $2.60 a gallon. A loaf of bread was $1.99. A gallon of milk was $3.08, and eggs sold for $1.50 a dozen. Bacon was $3.00 per pound. Potatoes were $2.99 for a five-pound bag. The price of a movie ticket was $6.55. The first-class stamp was $0.39. 

Firsts: Google bought YouTube for $1.65 billion in shares. In addition, Google purchased Writely, which marked the beginning of Google Docs, Google Drive, Google Sheets, and Google Slides. Sony released the PlayStation 3, while Nintendo unveiled the Wii. Motorola introduced a new edition of its Razr flip phone. The iPhone was announced, setting the stage for the smartphone revolution. 

US Events: Western Union sent its last telegram, ending 150 years of service. Founded in 1851, the telegram survived two World Wars, the telephone, and the fax machine but not email. Disney ended its decade-long Happy Meal partnership with McDonald’s in 2006, citing concerns about childhood obesity. The last Kid’s Meal toys were from Cars and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. The Easy Bake Oven and Lionel Trains were inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame.

World News: On July 4, North Korea test fires missiles over the Sea of Japan and explodes a nuclear device in the North Korean mountains. The world mourned wildlife expert Steve Irwin, after his sudden death from a stingray injury. Saddam Hussein is convicted and hanged in Baghdad after an Iraqi court found him guilty of crimes against humanity.

Entertainment: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest dominated the box office. Top films: Night at the Museum, Cars, Dreamgirls, X-Men: The Last Stand, The Da Vinci Code, Superman Returns, Happy Feet, Ice Age: The Meltdown, Casino Royale, and Mission Impossible II. Bambi II was released in 2006, 64 years after the original Bambi (1942), making it the record holder for the longest gap between a film and its sequel.

Television: American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, The Office, Desperate Housewives, The West Wing, Big Love, Arrested Development, 24, Brotherhood, Stargate SG-1, My Name is Earl, Prison Break, Grey’s Anatomy, Heroes, Battlestar Galactica, Deal or No Deal, Day Break, Criminal Minds, Sunday Night Football and Jericho.

Music: Blu-ray discs became commercially available in 2006, capable of holding up to five times more data than a DVD. Top songs: “Irreplaceable,” “Don’t Forget About Us,” “Laffy Taffy,”“Grillz,” “Check on It,” “You’re Beautiful,” “So Sick,” “Temperature,” “Bad Day,” “SOS,” “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Do I Make You Proud,” “London Bridge,” and “Money Maker.”

Publishing: Best-sellers: The Secret by Rhonda Byrne and Wisdom of Our Fathers by Tim Russert. Other popular books: For One More Day by Mitch Albom, Cross by James Patterson, Dear John by Nicholas Sparks, Lisey’s Story by Stephen King, Cell by Stephen King, On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan, and The Road by Cormac McCarthy.

Sports: NFL–The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks and won Super Bowl XL. NBA – The Miami Heat beat the Dallas Mavericks. MLB–The Saint Louis Cardinals captured the World Series edging the Detroit Tigers. NHL–The Carolina Hurricanes beat the Edmonton Oilers in their quest for the Stanley Cup. Italy defeated France to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Politics: President: George W. Bush, Vice President: Richard Cheney. 

Quotes: 

“I’m the decider, and I decide what is best.” — President George W. Bush, press conference, April 2006

“Once you love someone, they stay in your heart forever.” ~ Nita, Brother Bear 2

“Otis, a strong man stands up for himself, a stronger man stands up for others.” – Ben the Cow, Barnyard

Sources: popculturemadness.com/2006-history-fun-facts-and-trivia/, thosewerethedays.substack.com/p/25-fun-facts-and-historical-events-014, www.convoso.com/blog/2006-technology-then-vs-now/, www.infoplease.com/year/2006, topfive-reviews.livejournal.com/554957.html, https://www.moviemistakes.com/best2006/quotes/