Although some thought the election between Vice President Al Gore (Democrat) and Texas Governor George W. Bush (Republican) would be close, no one imagined that it would be that close.
On the night of the U.S. election (Nov. 7-8, 2000), news stations waffled over the outcome, calling the election for Gore, then too close to call, then for Bush. By the morning, many were shocked that the election was again considered too close to call.

The election results hinged on a difference of just a few hundred votes in Florida (537 to be exact), which focused worldwide attention on the deficiencies of the voting system. A recount of the votes in Florida was ordered and begun.

A number of court battles ensued. Debates over what constituted a countable vote filled courtrooms, news shows, and living rooms. There didn't seem a fair way to properly recount the votes, which finally led the U.S. Supreme Court to decide on December 12, 2000 that the recount in Florida should stop.

The day following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision, Al Gore conceded defeat to George W. Bush, making Bush the official president-elect. On January 20, 2001, George W. Bush became the 43rd President of the United States.

Many people were very upset with this outcome. To many, it didn't seem fair that Bush became President even though Gore had won the popular vote (Gore received 50,999,897 to Bush's 50,456,002). In the end, however, the popular vote is not what matters; it's the electoral votes and Bush was the leader in electoral votes with 271 to Gore's 266.