Human Genome Project
The Human Genome Project is completed during April. Scientists from around the world successfully finished sequencing about 99% of the human genome. They identified over 20,000 individual genes and base pairs that create the basic DNA composition of humans. The project began in 1990 and it was a collaborative global effort led by the National Institutes of Health. Following its completion, scientists hoped that the research would help in understanding how to predict and cure certain diseases in the future.
United States - Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster
The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster takes place on February 1st. NASA’s STS-107 mission carried seven crew members (Rick Husband, William McCool, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Michael Anderson, Laurel Clark, and Ilan Ramon) into space where they conducted scientific experiments for 16 days. The Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry, tragically killing all on board. The disaster was likely caused by damage taken to the left wing during the launch when a piece of foam hit the wing. Following the catastrophe, NASA’s space shuttle program was suspended for 2 years while they investigated the disaster and tried improve the program.
United Kingdom -- Ronaldo's Manchester United Debut
The Portuguese soccer sensation Cristiano Ronaldo made his Premier League debut for Manchester United during August at the age of 18. Ronaldo played with Manchester United until 2009 when he left the Premier League to join La Liga as a forward for Real Madrid and was paid a record-breaking 94 million Euros. Considered by many to be one of the best soccer players of all time, he has won over 20 trophies and he holds dozens of records including having scored the most goals in all UEFA competitions and becoming the first player to score 100 goals in the UEFA Champions League.
World - Final Concorde Flight
The final Concorde flight took place during November. The Concorde was a supersonic, high-end passenger jet that flew at twice the speed of sound. The first Concorde flight took place in 1969 and regular flights began in 1976. Round-trip tickets cost thousands of dollars and the service was mainly used by wealthy patrons. After a tragic Concorde crash in 2000 and the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, demand for the service decreased and they shuttered the service due to low passenger numbers.
Space - Oldest Exoplanet Found
1. NASA confirms the discovery of one of the oldest known exoplanets, PSR B1620-26 b.
2. The planet, nicknamed “Methuselah,” was thought to be about 12.7 billion years old and is about 12,400 light years from Earth.
3. It was initially found in 1993 but its status was not officially confirmed until 10 years later with the help of the Hubble telescope.
4. Astronomers noted that it was the first planet to be confirmed with a circumbinary orbit (orbiting a pulsar and a white dwarf star) and the first in a globular cluster.
5. They also determined that the exoplanet has a mass of about 2.6 times that of Jupiter and it takes about 100 years to complete its orbit.
ESA Launches SMART-1
The European Space Agency (ESA) launches the SMART-1 (Small Missions Advanced Research in Technology-1) spacecraft during September . The unmanned satellite was launched from a site in Kourou, French Guiana. This was the ESA’s first mission to the Moon and the space probe orbited the Moon for about three years. It conducted several experiments that measured chemical elements and minerals visible on the lunar surface and solar activity. It was purposefully crashed into the Moon’s surface after 2,890 orbits.
China -- Shenzhou 5
China launched Shenzhou 5, its first manned space mission during October of 2003. The Shenzhou 5 mission carried China’s first astronaut Yang Liwei, who had been a pilot. The flight lasted just over 21 hours and landed successfully in inner Mongolia. Accomplishing this feat made China the third nation, after the Soviet Union (Russia) and the United States, to launch its own manned space flight.
Department of Homeland Security
The new United States Department of Homeland Security officially begins operation
U.S. invasion of Iraq plan
United States plans for an invasion of Iraq due to an imminent threat from weapons of mass destruction
shock and awe campaign
The United States and the United Kingdom start with their shock and awe campaign with a massive air strikes on military targets in Baghdad before the invasion of Iraq by Land Forces.
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein, former President of Iraq, is captured in Tikrit by the U.S. 4th Infantry Division.
U.S. 393 tornadoes
A major severe weather outbreak spawned more tornadoes than any week in U.S. history. 393 tornadoes were reported in 19 states
Algeria Earthquake
Earthquake in Boumerdès region of northern Algeria - 2,200 killed
France Lance Armstrong
Lance Armstrong wins his fifth Tour De France
Do Not Call List
Do Not Call List starts providing consumers on June 27th with an opportunity to limit telemarketing calls.
Sky marshals
Armed undercover "sky marshals" are used on Aircraft to prevent terrorist attacks following 9/11
Freedom Fries
Americans rename "French Fries" to "Freedom Fries" in protest to France's stand on Iraq
Toyota
Toyota overtakes Chrysler to get the number three slot in US Car Sales
John Muhammad
Ex-soldier John Muhammad is found guilty of the Washington sniper shootings
Cost of Living 2003
How Much things cost in 2003
Average Cost of new house $246,300.00
Average Median Income $45,016.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas $1.83
Popular Culture 2003
The ABC's 20/20 airs the controversial Granada Television documentary Living with Michael Jackson
Keiko the Orca made famous by the "Free Willy" movies, dies
The Recording Industry Association of America (or RIAA) files copyright lawsuits against Internet users for trading songs online
Apple launches Itunes which becomes a major success selling 10 million songs within 4 months of launch
A white tiger attacks Roy Horn of the duo "Siegfried & Roy" leaving him partially paralyzed
Michael Jackson is booked on suspicion of multiple counts of child molestation ( later acquitted )
JK Rowling's fifth Harry Potter book "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is released
Popular Films
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Finding Nemo
The Matrix Reloaded
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Bruce Almighty
The Last Samurai
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
The Matrix Revolutions
X2: X-Men United
Bad Boys II
Lost in Translation
Popular Musicians
Amanda Perez
Elton John
Beyoncé
Christina Aguilera
Travis
David Gray
Limp Bizkit
Evanescence
Coldplay
Sheryl Crow
Hilary Duff
Norah Jones
blink-182
Pink
Shania Twain
Madonna
Avril Lavigne
50 Cent
Clay Aiken
Kylie Minogue
Stereophonics
Kelly Clarkson
Blur
Ashanti
Justin Timberlake
Fleetwood Mac
Eminem
Nelly
P. Diddy
100 years of Harley-Davidson
10's of thousands of Harley Owners gather in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to celebrate 100 years of Harley-Davidson Motor Cycles.
Volkswagen Beetle
The last old-style Volkswagen Beetle rolls off its production line in Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
Italy countrywide blackout
Italy suffers a near countrywide blackout when electricity supplies fail
UK highest temperature ever recorded
The highest temperature ever recorded in the UK - 38.5°C (101.3°F) at Brogdale near Faversham in Kent
Iraq car bomb attack
A car bomb attack in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq has left nearly 100 dead including a leading Shia Muslim politician Ayatollah Hakim.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Voters recall Governor Gray Davis from office and elect Arnold Schwarzenegger to succeed him.
India car bombs
Two large car bombs are exploded in busy area's of Bombay killing 50 and injuring nearly 150.
Iraq Abu Abbas
The wanted terrorist Abu Abbas is captured in Baghdad
Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch
Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch is amongst those captured US Troops free her 9 days later
Iran earthquake
A massive earthquake devastates southeastern Iran. Over 40,000 killed
France heat wave
In France a 104 degree heat wave kills approximately 5,000
Sudan Dafur Rebels
Dafur Rebels begin attacking Sudanese government targets, bringing a swift military and police campaign to Darfur causing millions to flee their homes.
President George W. Bush
President George W. Bush on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln announces major combat in Iraq is over on May 1
US Interest Rates
US Interest Rates at 45 year record low of 1% and core inflation rate of 37 year record low 1.3%
Justice Roy Moore
Justice Roy Moore, is suspended when he refused to take down the Ten Commandments from an Alabama state justice building.
Hurricane Isabel
Hurricane Isabel claims 40 lives and leaves six million people without power
Kyoto Protocol
Kyoto Protocol in danger of failing following International Climate Conference in Moscow
Iraq Terrorists bomb
Terrorists bomb the United Nations Baghdad Headquarters
Turkey Terrorists
Terrorists from Al-Qaeda drive two trucks packed with explosives and bombs into the Bet Israel and Neve Shalom synagogues in Istanbul, Turkey killing 27
Turkey Suicide bomb attacks
Suicide bomb attacks on British interests in the Turkish city of Istanbul kill 27 and injure 400
Technology 2003
The Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrates over Texas upon reentry, killing all seven astronauts onboard.
The highly infectious disease SARS ( Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ) spreads from China, Singapore and Vietnam, Worldwide nearly 9,000 People are effected in 15 countries and over 800 die from the effects.
Human Genome Project successfully completed with 99% of the human genome sequenced to 99.99% accuracy.
Secretary of State Colin Powell urges the U.N. Security Council to move against Iraq due to possession of weapons of mass destruction
In the biggest blackout in the history of the north America some 50 million people in the northeastern states of US and southern Canada lose power.
The birth of Prometea, the first cloned horse by Italian scientists.
The space probe Galileo makes a fiery dive into Jupitors atmosphere it was launched in 1989 and is one of the most successful NASA Projects.
Concorde makes its last commercial flight, bringing the era of airliner supersonic travel to a close, at least for the time being
Arnold Schwarzenegger is elected Governor of California
Libya agrees to give Up Chemical Weapons
Saddam Hussein is captured by U.S. forces
Concerns continue to grow over possible Asian bird flu outbreak also known as avian influenza.
Major World Political Leaders 2003
Australia Prime Minister John Howard
Brazil President Fernando Henrique Cardoso Till 1 January
Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva From 1 January
Canada Prime Minister Jean Chrétien till December 12,
Canada Prime Minister Paul Martin from December 12,
China Chairman of the People's Republic of China Jiang Zemin Till March 23
China Chairman of the People's Republic of China Hu Jintao From This Day In History March 23rd
France President Jacques Chirac
Germany Chancellor Gerhard Schröder
India Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Italy Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi
Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
Mexico President Vicente Fox
Russia / Soviet Union General Secretary of the CPSU Vladimir Putin
South Africa State President Thabo Mbeki
United States President George W. Bush
United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair
FAQs
What major events happened in 2003 in the United States? ›
In 2003, a United States-led coalition launched the 2003 invasion of Iraq, beginning the Iraq War.
What happened in 2003 fun facts? ›- California governor Gray Davis ousted in recall vote; actor Arnold Schwarzenegger elected in his place (Oct. ...
- Space shuttle Columbia explodes, killing all 7 astronauts (Feb. ...
- Bush signs ten-year, $350-billion tax cut package, the third-largest tax cut in U.S. history (May 28).
Beyonce's first solo album, Dangerously in Love, topped the Billboard charts while 50 Cent's single “In Da Club” was Billboard Song of the Year. Norah Jones won six Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for Come Away With Me.
What economic events happened in 2003? ›Jan 1: One Euro is worth US $1.03 in the world's foreign exchange markets. Jan 7: President Bush proposes new tax cuts to stimulate the slumping U.S. economy. Jan 8: President Bush signs law to extend unemployment benefits to about 2.5 million workers without jobs.
What happened in 2003 today? ›This Day in History: March 19
On this day in 2003, U.S. President George W. Bush ordered air strikes on Baghdad, thus launching the Iraq War to oust dictator Saddam Hussein, who was believed (wrongly) to be manufacturing weapons of mass destruction.
| Rank | Release | Theaters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finding Nemo | 3,425 |
| 2 | Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl | 3,416 |
| 3 | The Matrix Reloaded | 3,603 |
| 4 | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | 3,703 |
In March 2003, U.S. forces invaded Iraq vowing to destroy Iraqi weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and end the dictatorial rule of Saddam Hussein.
What happened in May 2003? ›The Labour Party under the leadership of Rhodri Morgan win a landslide victory in the Welsh Assembly elections. President Bush safely lands in an S-3B Viking jet on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln returning from operations in Iraq while 100 miles off the coast of San Diego, California.
Who famous was born in 2003? ›- Bella Ramsey. Actress | Game of Thrones. ...
- Bailey Bass. Actress | Avatar: The Way of Water. ...
- Jaeden Martell. Actor | St. ...
- Louis Partridge. Actor | Enola Holmes 2. ...
- Emily Carey. Actress | House of the Dragon. ...
- Aidan Gallagher. ...
- Cyrus Arnold. ...
- Storm Reid.
World Series: Baseball: The Florida Marlins defeat the New York Yankees, four games to two, to win the 2003 World Series. Occupation of Iraq: A US Blackhawk helicopter is brought down near Tikrit by Iraqi militants. The Daily Star Lebanon reports that the US is effectively plundering Iraq following the occupation.
What happened in April 2003? ›
On April 9, 2003, just three weeks into the invasion of Iraq, U.S. forces pull down a bronze statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad's Firdos Square, symbolizing the end of the Iraqi president's long, often brutal reign, and a major early victory for the United States.
What was #1 song in 2003? ›Rapper 50 Cent's "In da Club" was one of the longest-running singles of 2003, topping the chart for nine straight weeks. It was also the best-performing single of 2003.
What was the biggest hit of 2003? ›50 Cent's "In da Club" took the top spot, one of four singles from his debut studio album Get Rich or Die Tryin' to make the list (at positions 1, 14, 21, and 63).
What was the most sold song in 2003? ›- White Flag Dido Track Time: 4:00. ...
- Clocks Coldplay Track Time: 5:07. ...
- Stacy's Mom Fountains of Wayne Track Time: 3:17. ...
- Crazy in Love Beyoncé Track Time: 3:56. ...
- The Way You Move (feat. ...
- Where is the Love The Black Eyed Peas & Justin Timberlake Track Time 4:32. ...
- Lose Yourself Eminem Track Time: 5:20.
Real GDP growth in the third quarter of 2003 was 8.2 percent at an annual rate, the best in nearly 20 years. The consensus of private forecasters is that growth will continue above the historical average (since 1960) of 3.3 percent for the next several quarters. Financial markets reflect this optimism.
What was happening February 2003? ›Space Shuttle Columbia incident: The Space Shuttle Columbia was reported to have disintegrated over Texas on its final approach to a landing after its 28th space mission. All seven crew members were killed in the disaster.
What major historical events happened in the 2000s? ›- Year 2000: Bursting of the Dot.com (or Technology) Bubble. ...
- Year 2001: September 11 Terrorist Attacks. ...
- Year 2001: Enron, the Emergence of Corporate Fraud, and Corporate Governance. ...
- Year 2002: Stock Market Crash. ...
- Years 2001 and 2003–Present: War on Terror and Iraq War.
A destructive earthquake of magnitude Mw = 6.8 hit the region of Boumerdes and Algiers (Algeria) on May 21, 2003. This is among the strongest seismic events of the mediterranean region and the most important event in the capital Algiers since 1716.
What happened in August 2003? ›What Happened? August 14 and 15, 2003 - The northeastern U.S. and southern Canada suffered the worst power blackout in history. Areas affected extended from New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey west to Michigan, and from Ohio north to Toronto and Ottawa, Ontario. Approximately 50 million customers were impacted.
What happened in November 2003? ›Two U.S. Helicopters Collide in Iraq (Nov. 15) At least 17 soldiers killed when one copter swerves to avoid hostile fire from the ground. British Bank and Consulate Bombed (Nov. 20) At least 26 people killed and 400 wounded when two trucks blow up in Istanbul, Turkey.
What products came out 2003? ›
- Invention of the Year.
- Fish Skin Bikini.
- Glowing Fabric.
- Sunglasses.
- Children's Shoes.
- Speakers.
- Digital Guitar.
- Snorkel FM Radio.
The Labour Party under the leadership of Rhodri Morgan win a landslide victory in the Welsh Assembly elections. President Bush safely lands in an S-3B Viking jet on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln returning from operations in Iraq while 100 miles off the coast of San Diego, California.
What was the #1 song of 2003? ›Rapper 50 Cent's "In da Club" was one of the longest-running singles of 2003, topping the chart for nine straight weeks. It was also the best-performing single of 2003.