Timeline Wednesday 19 December 2001

Events on Wednesday 19 December 2001 3

• 2001 Argentine economic crisis and December riots President De la Rúa resigns amid unrest As Argentina's recession deepened, the government froze bank withdrawals in December 2001, triggering nationwide protests and looting in which dozens died. President Fernando de la Rúa resigned on 20 December and left the Casa Rosada by helicopter. The country cycled through several presidents in days and defaulted on its debt.
• 2001 Lord of the Rings premieres Fellowship of the Ring released Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring premiered on December 19, 2001, earning $898 million worldwide and beginning one of cinema's greatest trilogies.
• 2001 Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring #2 film of 2001 — $898m worldwide Directed by Peter Jackson, starring Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen. A hobbit inherits a powerful ring and must destroy it before the Dark Lord can reclaim it.