On the eve of the year 2000, before a Los Angeles audience of nearly 14,000 from dozens of nations, Mr. David Miscavige presented an historic address — benchmarking the end of the first half-century of Dianetics and Scientology. Here was the story behind the meteoric rise of the Scientology religion, and all that it faced and ultimately overcame. What follows are extracts from this pivotal event.

MR. DAVID MISCAVIGE: Welcome to an evening like no other in our history, and a New Year celebration like none other on Earth. For while the whole world awaits the New Millennium tonight, with whatever hope and aspirations they can muster, this one is different for us.