Nov 20,1942 - Present
THE 46TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
2004 General Pervez Musharraf won a vote of confidence, solidifying his position as President of Pakistan.
2004 Stardust successfully flies past Comet Wild 2, collecting samples returned to Earth.
2004 In the fateful year of 2004, tragedy struck as Flash Airlines Flight 604 met its devastating end, plummeting into the depths of the Red Sea and claiming the lives of 148 souls.
2004 NASA's Mars explorer, Spirit, triumphantly touches down on the Martian surface.
2004 Mikheil Saakashvili ascends to the presidency of Georgia in the wake of the transformative Rose Revolution.
2004 RMS Queen Mary 2 is christened by Queen Elizabeth II, becoming the largest ocean liner ever built.
2004 In 2004, an inflatable boat carrying illegal Albanian emigrants encountered disaster near the Karaburun Peninsula, resulting in the loss of 28 lives, making it one of Albania's deadliest maritime incidents.
2004 RMS Queen Mary 2, a majestic ocean giant, embarks on her maiden voyage, a voyage of grandeur and maritime history.
2004 After a hiatus of approximately 500 years, the Republic of Georgia officially reinstated its national flag, the "five cross flag," on January 14, 2004.
2004 NASA's MER-A, the Mars Rover Spirit, encountered communication issues due to flash memory management, prompting remote fixes from Earth.
2004 Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer ascends to the No. 1 ranking in men's singles, beginning a record 237-week reign at the top.
2004 The inception of Facebook, a prominent online social networking platform, by Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin, revolutionizes the way people connect and share information in the digital age.
2004 Rebels from the Revolutionary Artibonite Resistance Front seize Gonaïves, Haiti, initiating the tumultuous 2004 Haiti rebellion.
2004 A tragic aviation incident unfolds near Sharjah International Airport, resulting in the loss of 43 lives and injuries to three survivors.
2004 The Harvard...
2004 Tragedy strikes Moscow as the roof of the Transvaal water park collapses, resulting in the loss of more than 28 lives and injuries to 193 others, underscoring the importance of safety in public spaces.
2004 Near Nishapur, Iran, a catastrophic explosion occurred when a runaway freight train carrying sulfur, petrol, and fertilizer caught fire and exploded. The tragedy claimed the lives of up to 295 individuals, including nearly 200 rescue workers.
2004 The 6.3 Mw Al Hoceima earthquake strikes northern Morocco with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). At least 628 people are killed, 926 are injured, and up to 15,000 are displaced.
2004 A bombing of a SuperFerry by Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines' worst terrorist attack kills more than 100 passengers.
2004 Shoko Asahara, the leader of the Japanese doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo, is sentenced to death for masterminding the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack.
2004 Over one million Taiwanese participate in the 228 Hand-in-Hand rally form a 500-kilometre (310 mi) long human chain to commemorate the February 28 Incident in 1947.
2004 Jean-Bertrand Aristide is removed as president of Haiti following a coup.
2004 In 2004, Iraq witnessed the Ashoura Massacre carried out by Al-Qaeda, resulting in a tragic loss of life and heightening tensions in the region, underscoring the complex challenges faced during the war.
2004 Iraq's political landscape evolves as a new constitution is signed by Iraq's Governing Council, laying the groundwork for a nation's future.
2004 Madrid, Spain, witnessed a devastating tragedy in 2004 when simultaneous explosions rocked rush-hour trains, resulting in the loss of 191 lives during the Madrid train bombings.
2004 South Korea faces a historic moment as its National Assembly impeaches President Roh Moo-hyun, marking the nation's first-ever presidential impeachment.
2004 Unrest rocks Kosovo, resulting in more than 22 fatalities and 200 injuries. Additionally, thirty-five Serbian Orthodox shrines in Kosovo and two mosques in Serbia fall victim to destruction, leaving a trail of cultural loss and devastation.
2004 The Catalina affair reached its conclusion with the recovery of a Swedish DC-3, shot down by a Soviet MiG-15 in 1952 over the Baltic Sea, after years of meticulous effort.
2004 Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian narrowly escaped harm when he was shot just before the country's presidential election on March 20, sparking national concern.
2004 The Israeli Air Force's targeted strike claims the life of Hamas co-founder and leader Ahmed Yassin, along with his bodyguards and civilian bystanders, in the Gaza Strip, altering the political landscape of the region.
2004 On this day in 2004, HMS Scylla, a decommissioned Leander-class frigate, was intentionally sunk off the coast of Cornwall to serve as an artificial reef. This pioneering effort marked the first such reef in Europe, benefiting marine ecosystems.
2004 Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia take a momentous step as they join NATO as full-fledged members, solidifying their commitment to collective security and regional stability.
2004 In the tumultuous landscape of the Iraq War, Fallujah became a battleground as four American private military contractors, working for Blackwater USA, met their tragic fate, ambushed in a harrowing episode of the conflict.
2004 Google revolutionizes digital communication by launching Gmail, a game-changing email service that would become an integral part of modern life.
2004 Islamist terrorists involved in the 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks attempted to bomb the Spanish high-speed train AVE near Madrid on April 2, 2004, but their attack was thwarted, preventing a potential tragedy.
2004 Islamic terrorists involved in the 2004 Madrid train bombings are trapped by the police in their apartment and kill themselves.
2004 Lithuania undergoes a historic impeachment as Rolandas Paksas becomes the first president to be peacefully removed from office, a momentous event in the nation's political evolution.
2004 The signing of the Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement in 2004 during the War in Darfur aimed to bring relief and stability to a conflict-ridden region in Sudan.
2004 The coordinated suicide car bombings targeting police stations in Basra underscore the ongoing challenges of security and stability in post-war Iraq.
2004 Diplomacy prevails as the United States lifts economic sanctions that had been imposed on Libya for 18 years. This historic decision is made in recognition of Libya's cooperation in eliminating weapons of mass destruction, fostering a new chapter in international relations.
2004 The March for Women's Lives in Washington D.C. saw between 500,000 and 800,000 protesters rallying against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, reflecting the ongoing debate on abortion rights.
2004 CBS News unveils shocking evidence of the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse, exposing the harrowing misconduct of American troops in Iraq and sparking global outrage.
2004 The automotive world bid farewell as the final Oldsmobile rolled off the assembly line in Lansing, Michigan, marking the poignant end of a 107-year legacy in vehicle production.
2004 Abu Ghraib Prison Scandal: U.S. media exposes graphic photos depicting American soldiers committing war crimes against Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison, sparking international outrage and calls for accountability.
2004 Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia join the European Union, celebrated in Dublin as a significant expansion of the EU.
2004 The Yelwa massacre, which commenced on February 4, 2004, when armed Muslims attacked Christians in Yelwa, Nigeria, reached its tragic conclusion on May 2nd, resulting in significant loss of life.
2004 The world is shocked as American businessman Nick Berg falls victim to Islamic militants, with the gruesome act recorded and disseminated on the Internet, highlighting the challenges posed by digital extremism.
2004 A significant legal decision was reached on May 14, 2004, when the Constitutional Court of South Korea overturned the impeachment of President Roh Moo-hyun, marking a turning point in Korean politics.
2004 Tragedy unfolded on May 14, 2004, when Rico Linhas Aéreas Flight 4815 crashed into the Amazon rainforest during its approach to Eduardo Gomes International Airport in Manaus, Brazil, resulting in loss of life.
2004 Arsenal F.C. etches its name in football history by completing an entire league campaign unbeaten in the English Premier League, earning the revered title of "The Invincibles" alongside Preston North End F.C.
2004 May 17, 2004, witnessed a historic milestone for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States as the first legal same-sex marriages were performed in the state of Massachusetts, marking a momentous step towards equality and inclusivity.
2004 United States Army veteran Terry Nichols faces justice as he is found guilty of 161 state murder charges for his role in the Oklahoma City bombing. This unique legal outcome brings a measure of closure to a devastating act of domestic terrorism.
2004 On May 28, 2004, the Iraqi Governing Council selected Ayad Allawi, a longtime anti-Saddam Hussein exile, as the prime minister of Iraq's interim government, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's history.
2004 In a poignant ceremony on May 29th, 2004, the National World War II Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C. This memorial serves as a lasting tribute to the sacrifices and contributions of those who served during World War II.
2004 Noël Mamère, Mayor of Bègles, celebrated a historic moment in France as he presided over the marriage of two men, marking progress in the realm of LGBTQ+ rights.
2004 The first Venus Transit in well over a century occurred, a celestial event that captivated astronomers and stargazers worldwide.
2004 The Cassini spacecraft continues its mission, unraveling the mysteries of Saturn and its moons. This ongoing exploration venture contributes to our understanding of the distant realms of space.
2004 A groundbreaking moment in space exploration occurred in 2004 when SpaceShipOne became the first privately funded spaceplane to achieve spaceflight. This achievement marked a significant milestone in the quest for commercial space travel.
2004 In a landmark decision, capital punishment is deemed unconstitutional in New York, echoing the broader debate over the ethics and efficacy of the death penalty within the United States, setting a legal precedent.
2004 The Iraq War saw a pivotal moment as sovereign power was handed over to the interim government of Iraq by the Coalition Provisional Authority, marking the end of the U.S.-led rule and the beginning of a new era for the nation.
2004 The United Kingdom handed over sovereignty of Hong Kong to China in 1997, marking the end of British colonial rule in the territory and the beginning of the "one country, two systems" framework in Hong Kong.
2004 A symbol of resilience and rebuilding emerged as the cornerstone of the Freedom Tower was laid on the World Trade Center site in New York City, honoring the memory of the September 11 attacks.
2004 Greece celebrated a historic victory as they defeated Portugal in the UEFA Euro 2004 Final, claiming their first European Championship title in a moment of triumph.
2004 Indonesia conducted its first direct presidential election, a historic democratic milestone that gave citizens a direct voice in choosing their nation's leader and shaping its political destiny.
2004 A devastating supermarket fire in Asunción, Paraguay, claimed the lives of 396 people and left 500 others injured, a tragic event that underscored the need for improved safety standards and emergency response.
2004 The Statue of Liberty's pedestal reopens its doors to the public after a prolonged closure in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, symbolizing resilience and freedom.
2004 A bizarre incident unfolds as a tour bus belonging to the Dave Matthews Band inadvertently showers a boat full of passengers with approximately 800 pounds of human waste.
2004 In 2004, a horrific incident occurred as 156 Congolese Tutsi refugees were massacred at the Gatumba refugee camp in Burundi, a tragic event that underscored the challenges of humanitarian crises.
2004 On August 17, 2004, Serbia's National Assembly unanimously adopted new state symbols, including the anthem "Bože pravde" and a national coat of arms, solidifying its cultural identity.
2004 A technological giant takes its historic step into the financial realm as Google Inc. embarks on its initial public offering on Nasdaq, reshaping the landscape of the internet and technology industry.
2004 The theft of Edvard Munch's iconic paintings, "The Scream" and "Madonna," from an Oslo museum, shocks the art world and leads to a dramatic search for the stolen masterpieces.
2004 Tragedy strikes as two airliners explode after departing from Domodedovo International Airport near Moscow, resulting in the loss of ninety passengers in a shocking act of terrorism carried out by suicide bombers from Chechnya.
2004 A dark cloud descends over North Ossetia, Russia, as the Beslan school siege commences, a harrowing three-day ordeal resulting in the loss of over 385 lives, including hostages, civilians, and security personnel.
2004 : After taking off from Dubai International Airport, UPS Airlines Flight 6 experienced an in-flight fire in the cargo hold, leading to a tragic crash near Nad Al Sheba. The incident claimed the lives of both crew members on board.
2004 NASA's Genesis spacecraft's crash-landing due to a parachute failure underscored the challenges and risks inherent in space exploration, reminding us of the vast unknowns of the cosmos.
2004 National Hockey League (NHL) commissioner Gary Bettman made a momentous announcement, declaring a lockout of the players' union and the cessation of operations by the NHL head office, sending shockwaves through the world of professional hockey.
2004 The long arm of the law extends as Camorra organized crime boss Paolo Di Lauro is apprehended in Naples, Italy, marking a significant victory in the battle against organized crime.
2004 Haiti faces devastation as over 3,000 people die from flooding and mudslides caused by Hurricane Jeanne.
2004 In 2004, the asteroid 4179 Toutatis passed within four lunar distances of Earth, providing valuable insights into celestial bodies and advancing our understanding of space.
2004 Burt Rutan's Ansari SpaceShipOne's successful spaceflight in 2004 marked a significant milestone in commercial space travel, bringing humanity closer to the stars and stimulating the space tourism industry.
2004 The inaugural parkrun, known as the Bushy Park Time Trial, takes place in Bushy Park, London, UK, initiating a global movement promoting community fitness.
2004 SpaceShipOne's triumph in winning the Ansari X Prize for private spaceflight marks a pivotal moment in the pursuit of commercial space exploration.
2004 Tragedy strikes the aviation world as MK Airlines Flight 1602 tragically crashes during takeoff from Halifax Stanfield International Airport, claiming the lives of all seven individuals on board.
2004 Pinnacle Airlines Flight 3701 meets a tragic end in Jefferson City, Missouri, as the aircraft crashes with the loss of the two pilots, marking a solemn moment in aviation history.
2004 Corporate Airlines Flight 5966's tragic crash in Adair County, Missouri, while approaching Kirksville Regional Airport, leads to the loss of 13 lives.
2004 A powerful earthquake and its aftershocks struck Niigata Prefecture in northern Japan, resulting in the loss of 35 lives, injuries to 2,200 individuals, and displacement of 85,000 residents.
2004 Arsenal Football Club's unbeaten streak of 49 matches in the Premier League came to an end with a defeat to Manchester United, a record-breaking achievement.
2004 Rockstar Games made a significant impact in the gaming world by releasing Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for the PlayStation 2 in North America in 2004, becoming a best-selling video game for the console.
2004 Al Jazeera broadcasts a pivotal excerpt from a 2004 video in which Osama bin Laden directly admits responsibility for the September 11, 2001 attacks and references the 2004 U.S. presidential election. This revelation has far-reaching implications for global security and diplomacy.
2004 A devastating incident occurs near the village of Ufton Nervet, England, when an express train collides with a stationary car, leading to seven fatalities and injuries to 150 people.
2004 The Iraq War reached a critical juncture on November 7, 2004, when the interim government of Iraq declared a 60-day state of emergency as U.S. forces launched a major offensive in the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah.
2004 The Iraq War saw over 10,000 U.S. troops and a limited number of Iraqi army units participating in a siege on the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah. This operation marked a significant phase in the conflict.
2004 On November 9, 2004, the popular web browser Firefox 1.0 was released, marking a significant development in the world of open-source software and internet browsing.
2004 The dedication of the New Zealand Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at the National War Memorial in Wellington.
2004 The confirmation of Yasser Arafat's death by the Palestine Liberation Organization, followed by Mahmoud Abbas's election as chairman.
2004 The world of professional basketball witnessed a dark moment on this day in 2004 when the worst brawl in NBA history erupted, leading to suspensions of several players and legal actions against both players and fans involved in the altercation.
2004 The second round of the Ukrainian presidential election sparked massive protests and controversy over the integrity of the election process.
2004 Dominica experienced its most destructive earthquake in history, with the northern half of the island, especially the town of Portsmouth, bearing the brunt of the damage.
2004 The Paris Club, a group of creditor nations, reached an agreement to forgive 80% of Iraq's external debt, a significant step in Iraq's post-war reconstruction.
2004 A transformative political movement known as the Orange Revolution began to unfold in Ukraine in 2004. Sparked by controversial presidential elections, this peaceful protest movement aimed to bring about democratic change and fair elections, reshaping the political landscape of Ukraine.
2004 A moment of reverence unfolds as the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, Georgia's largest religious edifice, is consecrated. This spiritual landmark stands as a testament to the enduring faith and cultural heritage of the nation.
2004 The tragic Ruzhou School massacre in China sees a man stabbing and killing eight people, leaving a community in shock and grief.
2004 The last Poʻouli (Black-faced honeycreeper) dies from avian malaria in Hawaii, marking the probable extinction of a unique species, a poignant reminder of biodiversity loss.
2004 Pope John Paul II makes a historic gesture by returning the relics of Saint John Chrysostom to the Eastern Orthodox Church, fostering goodwill and ecumenical relations.
2004 Tragedy strikes as Lion Air Flight 538 overshoots the runway while landing at Adisumarmo International Airport, resulting in a crash that claims the lives of 25 people.
2004 The Cusco Declaration's signing in Peru establishes the South American Community of Nations, fostering regional cooperation.
2004 The Columbus nightclub shooting claims the life of Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell and three others, a tragic episode in rock history.
2004 A soaring marvel of engineering grace, the Millau Viaduct in France, the tallest bridge in the world, is officially inaugurated, spanning the breathtaking Millau landscape and standing as a testament to human ingenuity and determination.
2004 A daring gang orchestrates the theft of £26.5 million from Northern Bank in Belfast, Northern Ireland, setting a record as one of the largest bank heists in British history.
2004 Amid the Iraq War, a devastating suicide bombing claims the lives of 22 individuals at the forward operating base adjacent to the main U.S. military airfield in Mosul, Iraq, marking the deadliest suicide attack on American soldiers.
2004 The Cassini orbiter successfully releases the Huygens probe, which later lands on Saturn's moon Titan, providing invaluable scientific data.
2004 The Orange Revolution reached its culmination as Ukraine conducted a final run-off election under intense international scrutiny, shaping the country's political landscape.
2004 Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.0 and 6.9 on the Richter scale, struck Hengchun, Taiwan, causing casualties and disrupting telecommunications across Asia.
2004 Earth experiences an extraordinary event as radiation from an explosion on the magnetar SGR 1806-20 reaches our planet, marking one of the brightest extrasolar phenomena ever observed.
2004 Argentina mourned in 2004 as a devastating fire engulfed the República Cromagnon nightclub in Buenos Aires, claiming the lives of 194 people in a tragic and unforgettable event that shook the nation.
2004 Taipei 101, an architectural marvel, officially opened its doors, ascending as the tallest skyscraper in the world at that time, soaring to a remarkable height of 509 meters (1,670 ft), and becoming an iconic landmark.
2004 In 2004, a stampede during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia led to the trampling deaths of 251 people and injuries to 244 others.
2004 A double suicide attack in Erbil targeted the offices of Iraqi Kurdish political parties in 2004, resulting in a devastating loss of life.
2004 In the vibrant city of San Francisco, a historic moment is marked as marriage licenses are issued to same-sex couples in response to Mayor Gavin Newsom's directive. Love knows no boundaries, and in this act, the city takes a monumental step toward inclusivity and equality.
2004 A visionary architectural marvel is unveiled as Millennium Park, a jewel in Chicago's early 21st-century architectural crown, is opened to the public, a testament to Mayor Richard M. Daley's unwavering commitment to the city's cultural heritage.
2004 Oklahoma City bombing co-conspirator Terry Nichols receives a severe sentence of 161 consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole, serving as a somber reminder of the tragic event that shook the nation.
