The Dot-Com Bubble: Full Timeline (1995-2002)
Mid-to-Late 1990s: The Mania Builds
The commercial internet's rapid growth fueled explosive investor enthusiasm for internet-related stocks, many of them unprofitable startups valued on future growth potential rather than current earnings.
March 2000: The Peak
The NASDAQ Composite, heavily weighted toward technology and internet stocks, peaked in March 2000 after a historic run-up.
2000-2002: The Collapse
The NASDAQ lost roughly 78% of its value from peak to trough by October 2002. Many high-profile internet companies collapsed entirely, while others — like Amazon — survived the crash and eventually thrived.
Aftermath
The bust contributed to a mild U.S. recession in 2001, compounded later that year by the September 11 attacks. The NASDAQ took roughly 15 years to reclaim its March 2000 peak.