The town of Foxborough officially approved the construction plans for Gillette Stadium on December 6, 1999. The Patriots had gone to 2 Super Bowls prior to that since 1971.
Following this approval, construction on the venue in Foxborough, Massachusetts, began on March 24, 2000. The New England Patriots went 5-11 the 2000 season missing the playoffs.
The following 2001 NFL season started September 9th, 2001, then 9/11 happened. The following weeks games were rescheduled, the Patriots lost their starting QB in week 2, and had to put in 2nd year Tom Brady. They started 0-2, then Brady was named the starting QB.
During this time there was also a big push for American Patriotism.
Brady then went 11-3 as the starter, won the AFC East and then the Patriots won their first Super Bowl. Gillette stadium officially opened its doors September 9th, 2002.
After Gillette Stadium opened, the Patriots went to 9 more Super Bowls, winning 5 of those.