Editing 2004

{{Short description|Calendar year}}
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{{Events by month|2004|prefix=Portal:Current events/}}
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*[[Facebook]], originally called ''TheFacebook'', is launched by [[Mark Zuckerberg]]
*the [[2004 transit of Venus]], the first such occurrence since [[1882]]
*[[NASA]] lands the [[Opportunity (rover)|''Opportunity'']] and [[Spirit (rover)|''Spirit'']] [[Mars Exploration Rover|rovers]] on [[Mars]]
*the [[2004 Summer Olympics]] are held in [[Athens]]
*[[Al-Qaeda]] [[2004 Madrid train bombings|bombs]] multiple trains in [[Madrid]], killing 193 people
*the [[European Union]] [[2004 enlargement of the European Union|adds]] 10 new member-states
*334 people are killed in the [[Beslan school siege]], carried out by [[Chechnya|Chechen]] terrorists 
*a massive 9.1-9.3 [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|megathrust earthquake]] off the coast of [[Sumatra]] and the resultant [[tsunami]] kill over 227,000 people—one of the [[List of natural disasters by death toll|worst natural disasters]] in recorded history.
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{{Year nav|2004}}
{{Year in various calendars|year=2004}}
{{C21 year in topic}}{{Year article header|2004}}

2004 was designated as an [[International Year of Rice]] by the United Nations,<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 31, 2003 |title=UN declares 2004 the International Year of Rice |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2003/10/84272-un-declares-2004-international-year-rice |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116205241/https://news.un.org/en/story/2003/10/84272-un-declares-2004-international-year-rice |archive-date=January 16, 2022 |access-date=January 16, 2022 |website=United Nations}}</ref> and the [[International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and Its Abolition]] (by [[UNESCO]]).<ref>[https://en.unesco.org/ United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925093242/http://en.unesco.org/ |date=September 25, 2013 }} (2003). [https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000131242 ''INTERNATIONAL YEAR TO COMMEMORATE THE STRUGGLE AGAINST SLAVERY AND ITS ABOLITION''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724140601/https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000131242 |date=July 24, 2020 }}</ref>

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==Events==
===January===
* [[January 3]] &ndash; [[Flash Airlines Flight 604]] crashes into the [[Red Sea]] off the coast of Egypt, killing all 148 aboard, making it one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Egyptian history at the time.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3365721.stm|title=Egypt plane crash claims 148 lives|date=2004-01-03|website=BBC News|access-date=2017-01-25|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118051755/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3365721.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[January 4]] &ndash; NASA's MER-A ([[Spirit (rover)|Spirit]]) spacecraft lands on the surface of [[Mars]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap040104.html|title=Spirit Rover Bounces Down on Mars|website=NASA|access-date=January 7, 2022|archive-date=March 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325023042/https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap040104.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[January 6]] &ndash; Construction on the tallest human-made structure to date, the [[Burj Khalifa]] begins in [[Dubai]] [[UAE]].
* [[January 8]] &ndash; The [[Queen Mary 2|RMS ''Queen Mary 2'']], at the time the largest ocean liner ever built, is christened by its namesake's granddaughter, [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qm2.org.uk/history.html|title=The Cunard Liner Queen Mary 2|website=Queen Mary 2|access-date=January 7, 2022|archive-date=May 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505212413/https://www.qm2.org.uk/history.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[January 25]] &ndash; NASA's MER-B ([[Opportunity (rover)|Opportunity]]) spacecraft lands on the surface of Mars.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mars.nasa.gov/mer/newsroom/pressreleases/20040125a.html|title=NASA Hears From Opportunity Rover On Mars|website=NASA|access-date=January 7, 2022|archive-date=November 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120233737/https://mars.nasa.gov/mer/newsroom/pressreleases/20040125a.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[January 26]] &ndash; The [[Mydoom|MyDoom]] virus is first identified.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/mydoom-virus.html |title=[Review] MyDoom Virus: The Most Destructive & Fastest Email Worm [MiniTool Tips] |website=MiniTool |date=March 3, 2021 |publisher=Helen |access-date=December 16, 2022 |archive-date=December 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216143453/https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/mydoom-virus.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===February===
* [[February 4]] 
** The [[DARPA LifeLog]] project by [[United States Department of Defense]] was canceled by the Pentagon, citing criticism concerning the privacy implications of the system. <ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Pentagon Kills LifeLog Project|url=https://www.wired.com/2004/02/pentagon-kills-lifelog-project/|date=4 February 2004|magazine=Wired}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=15 Years Ago, the Military Tried to Record Whole Human Lives. Badly|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/15-years-ago-the-military-tried-to-record-whole-human-lives-it-ended-badly/|access-date=2020-08-01|website=Vice.com|language=en|date=21 May 2018}}</ref>
** [[Mark Zuckerberg]] launches "TheFacebook", later renamed to [[Facebook]], a social networking website for [[Harvard University]] students.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2004/2/9/hundreds-register-for-new-facebook-website/|title=Hundreds Register for New Facebook Website|date=2004-02-09|newspaper=The Harvard Crimson|author=Alan J. Tabak|access-date=2022-02-04|archive-date=May 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518221416/https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2004/2/9/hundreds-register-for-new-facebook-website/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[February 13]] &ndash; First [[EuroMillions]] transnational lottery drawn, in Paris.<ref>{{Cite web|website=€uro-Millions.com|title=EuroMillions Results for Friday 13th February 2004|url=https://www.euro-millions.com/results/13-02-2004|access-date=2024-12-22|language=en}}</ref>
* [[February 26]] &ndash; [[North Macedonia|Macedonian]] president [[Boris Trajkovski]] is killed in a plane crash near [[Mostar]], Bosnia and Herzegovina.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/feb/26/balkans|title=Macedonian president killed in plane crash|last1=Jeffery|first1=Simon|date=2004-02-26|last2=agencies|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119083904/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/feb/26/balkans|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[February 29]] &ndash; [[Haiti]]an president [[Jean-Bertrand Aristide]] is [[2004 Haitian coup d'état|overthrown in a coup d'état]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3519821.stm|title=Embattled Aristide quits Haiti|date=2004-02-29|website=BBC News|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=May 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506074430/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3519821.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

===March===
* [[March 2]] &ndash; [[2004 Ashura massacre|A series of bombings]] occur in [[Karbala]], Iraq, killing over 140 [[Shia Islam|Shia Muslims]] commemorating the [[Ashura|Day of Ashura]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/02/international/middleeast/blasts-at-shiite-ceremonies-in-iraq-kill-more-than.html|title=Blasts at Shiite Ceremonies in Iraq Kill More Than 140|last1=Burns|first1=John F.|date=2004-03-02|last2=Gettleman|first2=Jeffrey|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118122412/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/02/international/middleeast/blasts-at-shiite-ceremonies-in-iraq-kill-more-than.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[March 7]] &ndash; The [[2004 Greek legislative election]] is held to elect all 300 members of the [[Hellenic Parliament]] and the [[New Democracy (Greece)|New Democracy]] party, led by [[Kostas Karamanlis]], won 165 out of 300 seats, ending over 11 years of rule by the [[PASOK]] party.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-22 |title=Υπουργείο Εσωτερικών - Αποτελέσματα ΕΘΝΙΚΩΝ Εκλογών 2004 |url=http://www.ypes.gr/el/Elections/NationalElections/Results/nationallectures2004/ |access-date=2022-03-28 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722093442/http://www.ypes.gr/el/Elections/NationalElections/Results/nationallectures2004/ |archive-date=22 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[March 11]] &ndash; [[Al-Qaeda]] [[2004 Madrid train bombings|bombings]] on [[Cercanías Madrid|Cercanías]] trains in [[Madrid]], Spain, kill at least 192 people.<ref name="El Mundo">{{cite web|url=https://www.elmundo.es/documentos/2006/04/11/auto_11m.html|title=elmundo.es. Documento: Auto del 11-M|website=www.elmundo.es|access-date=February 24, 2021|archive-date=April 12, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060412150158/https://www.elmundo.es/documentos/2006/04/11/auto_11m.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150315034747/http://www.zoomnews.es/499926/actualidad/espana/pilar-manjon-lamenta-ostracismo-las-victimas-once-anos-despues-del-11-m ZoomNews (in spanish)]. The 192nd victim died in 2014, after a decade in coma in a hospital of Madrid. She was the last hospitalized injured person.</ref>
*[[March 14]] &ndash; The [[Spanish Socialist Workers' Party|PSOE]] wins the [[2004 Spanish general election|election]] in Spain; [[José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero]] is elected [[Prime Minister of Spain]], replacing [[José María Aznar]].<ref>{{cite news |date=15 March 2004 |url=https://elpais.com/diario/2004/03/15/espana/1079305201_850215.html |title=Zapatero vence con casi 11 millones de votos |language=es |newspaper=El País |access-date=27 February 2020 |archive-date=May 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519031103/https://elpais.com/diario/2004/03/15/espana/1079305201_850215.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[March 19]] &ndash; The [[Konginkangas bus disaster]] kills 23 and injures 14 people in [[Äänekoski|Äänekoski, Finland]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20040319IE4|title=At least 23 dead in bus crash in Central Finland|publisher=[[Helsingin Sanomat]] International Edition|date=March 19, 2004|access-date=May 27, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930045643/http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20040319IE4|archive-date=2007-09-30}}</ref>
* [[March 28]] &ndash; [[Hurricane Catarina]], the first ever recorded South Atlantic hurricane, makes landfall in [[Santa Catarina (state)|Santa Catarina]], Brazil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/weather/news/2004-03-28-brazil-storm_x.htm|title=First South Atlantic hurricane hits Brazil|date=2004-01-29|website=USA Today|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=July 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701090923/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/weather/news/2004-03-28-brazil-storm_x.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[March 29]] &ndash; [[Bulgaria]], [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]], [[Romania]], [[Slovakia]] and [[Slovenia]] are admitted to [[NATO]], the largest expansion of the organization.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/apr/02/nato|title=Seven join Nato in biggest expansion|agency=Press Association|date=2004-04-02|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202122647/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/apr/02/nato|url-status=live}}</ref>

===April===
* [[April 4]] &ndash; The [[First Battle of Fallujah]] starts.
* [[April 8]] &ndash; The [[2004 Darfur Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement|Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement]] is signed by the [[Sudan]]ese government and two rebel groups, in order to put a pause on the [[War in Darfur]].
* [[April 17]] &ndash; [[Israel]]i helicopters fire missiles at a convoy of vehicles in the [[Gaza Strip]], killing [[Hamas]] leader [[Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/04/17/mideast.violence/|title=Hamas leader killed in Israeli airstrike|date=2004-04-17|website=CNN|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=February 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207074455/http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/04/17/mideast.violence/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[April 24]] &ndash; [[2004 Cypriot Annan Plan referendums|Referendums]] on the [[Annan Plan]] for [[Cyprus]], which proposes to reunite the island, take place in both the [[Greek Cyprus|Greek]]-controlled and the [[Northern Cyprus|Turkish]]-controlled parts. Although the [[Turkish Cypriots]] vote in favour, the [[Greek Cypriots]] reject the proposal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/25/world/greek-cypriots-reject-a-un-peace-plan.html|title=Greek Cypriots Reject a U.N. Peace Plan|last=Sachs|first=Susan|date=2004-04-25|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=December 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218134934/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/25/world/greek-cypriots-reject-a-un-peace-plan.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===May===
* [[May 1]]
** The [[2004 enlargement of the European Union|European Union expands]] by 10 new member states: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/04/30/eu.enlargement/|title=EU welcomes 10 new members|date=2004-05-01|website=CNN|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=February 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224141614/http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/04/30/eu.enlargement/|url-status=live}}</ref>
** The [[First Battle of Fallujah]] ends.

* [[May 9]] &ndash; A [[2004 Grozny stadium bombing|stadium bombing]] in [[Grozny]], [[Chechnya]], Russia kills ten people, including regional governor [[Akhmad Kadyrov]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/09/international/europe/chechen-president-is-killed-in-bombing-at-holiday.html|title=Chechen president is killed in bombing at holiday|date=2004-05-09|website=New York Times|access-date=2023-02-02|archive-date=January 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127172816/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/09/international/europe/chechen-president-is-killed-in-bombing-at-holiday.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[May 10]] – [[2004 Philippine presidential election]]: Incumbent president [[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]] won a full six-year term as Philippine President. 
* [[May 12]]–[[May 15|15]] &ndash; The [[Eurovision Song Contest 2004]] takes place in [[Istanbul]], Turkey, and is won by [[Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004|Ukrainian]] entrant [[Ruslana]] with the song "[[Wild Dances]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3715907.stm|title=Ukraine celebrates Eurovision win|publisher=BBC|date=2004-05-16|access-date=January 8, 2022|archive-date=May 30, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530110144/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3715907.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

===June===
* [[June 1]] &ndash; A [[United Nations]] peacekeeping mission in [[Haiti]] begins, the [[United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti]] (MINUSTAH).
* [[June 4]] &ndash; [[Marvin Heemeyer]] takes his modified and armoured [[Komatsu Limited|Komatsu]] D355A [[bulldozer]] ([[killdozer]]) on a rampage through the town of [[Granby, Colorado]], causing approximately 7 million dollars worth of damage.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://allthatsinteresting.com/marvin-heemeyer-killdozer | title=Marvin Heemeyer Wanted Revenge — So He Built A 'Killdozer' | date=February 8, 2022 }}</ref>
* [[June 8]] &ndash; [[2004 transit of Venus]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eso.org/public/outreach/eduoff/vt-2004/vt-intro.html|title=The Venus Transit 2004|website=ESO|access-date=January 8, 2022|archive-date=January 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108191713/https://www.eso.org/public/outreach/eduoff/vt-2004/vt-intro.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[June 12]]–[[July 4]] &ndash; [[Portugal]] hosts the [[UEFA Euro 2004]] football tournament, which is won by [[Greece national football team|Greece]].
* [[June 21]] &ndash; In [[Mojave, California]], United States, [[SpaceShipOne]] becomes the first privately funded [[spaceplane]] to achieve [[Human spaceflight|spaceflight]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2011/06/0621spaceshipone-first-private-spacecraft/|title=SpaceShipOne Reaches Space|last=Long|first=Tony|date=2004-06-21|magazine=Wired|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=November 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127152420/https://www.wired.com/2011/06/0621spaceshipone-first-private-spacecraft/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[June 28]] &ndash; The U.S.-led coalition occupying Iraq, the [[Coalition Provisional Authority]] (CPA), transfers sovereignty to the [[Iraqi Interim Government]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/jun/28/iraq.iraq1|title=US hands over power in Iraq|date=2004-06-28|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202122301/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/jun/28/iraq.iraq1|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[June 30]] &ndash; Preliminary hearings begin in [[Iraq]] in the trial of president [[Saddam Hussein]], for [[war crime]]s and [[crimes against humanity]].

===July===
* [[July 1]] &ndash; The unpiloted ''[[Cassini–Huygens]]'' spacecraft arrives at [[Saturn]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3846195.stm|title=Cassini probe enters Rhea orbit|date=2004-07-01|website=BBC News|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119101439/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3846195.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> 
* [[July 3]] – A [[Blue Line (Bangkok)|subway system]] in [[Bangkok]] opens.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2004-07-03 |title=Congested Bangkok opens subway |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-07-04/congested-bangkok-opens-subway/2003542 |access-date=2025-05-17 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>
* [[July 11]] &ndash; The [[Russia|Russian Federation]] stops recognizing [[Soviet Union passport]]s as legal identification.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.pravda.ru/society/stories/06-07-2011/118409-soviet_passport-0/ |title=Some Russians still live in the USSR - PravdaReport |publisher=English.pravda.ru |date=July 6, 2011 |access-date=November 25, 2015 |archive-date=February 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227141904/http://english.pravda.ru/society/stories/06-07-2011/118409-soviet_passport-0/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===August===
* [[August 1]] &ndash; A fire in the [[Ycuá Bolaños supermarket fire|"Ycua Bolaños-Botánico" supermarket]] in [[Asunción]], Paraguay kills around 400 people.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/04/world/6-are-charged-with-murder-after-paraguay-store-fire.html|title=6 Are Charged With Murder After Paraguay Store Fire (Published 2004)|first=Todd|last=Benson|newspaper=The New York Times|date=August 4, 2004|access-date=March 23, 2019|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118204907/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/04/world/6-are-charged-with-murder-after-paraguay-store-fire.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 3]] &ndash; [[NASA]]'s unpiloted ''[[MESSENGER]]'' spacecraft is launched, with its primary mission being the study of [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.space.com/210-nasa-sends-mercury-messenger.html|title=NASA Sends Mercury a MESSENGER|last=Malik|first=Tariq|date=2004-08-03|newspaper=Space.com|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202030834/http://www.space.com/210-nasa-sends-mercury-messenger.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[August 12]] &ndash; [[Lee Hsien Loong]] is sworn in as the third [[Prime Minister of Singapore]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes20040813-1.2.2 |title=Let us shape our future together |website=The Straits Times (retrieved from NLB) |access-date=12 February 2020 |date=13 August 2004 |archive-date=December 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209074258/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes20040813-1.2.2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[August 13]]–[[August 29|29]] &ndash; The [[2004 Summer Olympics]] are held in [[Athens]], Greece.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics_2004/3557922.stm|title=Olympics open in Athens|date=2004-08-13|website=BBC News|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=July 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724140701/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics_2004/3557922.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 18]] &ndash; [[Broadband]] internet connections surpass [[Dial-up Internet access|dial-up]] for the first time in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/study-broadband-leaps-past-dial-up/|title=Study: Broadband leaps past dial-up|date=2004-08-18|website=[[CNet]]|access-date=2024-10-08|archive-date=March 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305223744/https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/study-broadband-leaps-past-dial-up/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 22]] &ndash; Armed robbers steal [[Edvard Munch]]'s ''[[The Scream]]'', ''[[Madonna (Munch)|Madonna]]'', and other paintings from the [[Munch Museum]] in [[Oslo]], Norway.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/08/22/scream.theft/|title=Armed robbers steal 'The Scream'|date=2004-08-23|website=CNN|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=September 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920195252/http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/08/22/scream.theft/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 24]] &ndash; After departing [[Domodedovo International Airport]] in [[Moscow]], [[Volga-AviaExpress Flight 1303]], a [[Tupolev Tu-134]], explodes over [[Russia]]'s [[Tula Oblast]] and crashes, killing all 43 people on board; minutes later, [[Siberia Airlines Flight 1047]], a [[Tupolev Tu-154]] departing the same airport, explodes over [[Rostov Oblast]] and crashes, killing all 46 on board. The [[Government of Russia]] declares the explosions to have been caused by female [[Chechens|Chechen]] [[suicide bomber]]s.

===September===
* [[September 1]] &ndash; [[Beslan school siege]]: [[Chechens|Chechen]] rebels take 1,128 people, mostly children, hostage at a school in [[Beslan]], Russia. The crisis ends when Russian security forces storm the building, resulting in more than 330 people being killed.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090404112922/http://www.unicef.org/russia/media_4875.html 31 August 2006: Beslan – Two Years On], [[UNICEF]]</ref>
* [[September 9]] &ndash; [[Australian Embassy bombing in Jakarta|A car bomb]] of the [[Jemaah Islamiyah]] explodes at the [[Embassy of Australia, Jakarta|Australian embassy]] in [[Jakarta]], Indonesia, killing 9 people.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/sep/09/indonesia.australia1|title=Australian embassy bomb kills nine|date=2004-09-09|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=2020-06-22|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117102334/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/sep/09/indonesia.australia1|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[September 22]] &ndash; [[West Sulawesi]] is established as the 33rd province of Indonesia.

===October===
* [[October 8]] &ndash; Suicide bombers [[2004 Sinai bombings|detonate two bombs]] at the [[Red Sea]] resort of [[Taba, Egypt]], killing 34 people and injuring 171, mostly Israeli tourists.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/oct/08/israel.travelnews|title=Dozens killed in bomb blasts at Sinai resorts|last=Urquhart|first=Conal|date=2004-10-08|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=2017-02-07|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=February 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203201509/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/oct/08/israel.travelnews|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 9]] &ndash; [[2004 Australian federal election]]: [[John Howard]]'s [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]]/[[National Party of Australia|National]] [[Coalition (Australia)|Coalition]] [[Howard government|government]] is re-elected with an increased majority, defeating the [[Australian Labor Party|Labor Party]] led by [[Mark Latham]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://australianpolitics.com/elections/federal-2004|title=2004 Federal Election &#124; AustralianPolitics.com|website=australianpolitics.com|access-date=February 24, 2021|archive-date=November 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126232837/https://australianpolitics.com/elections/federal-2004|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 17]] &ndash; [[Parque Central Complex fire]]: A fire that lasted over 15 hours destroyed almost one third of the East Tower of the [[Parque Central Complex|Parque Central Urban Complex]] in [[Caracas]], Venezuela.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=16 October 2012|title=Torre Este de Parque Central: 8 años después|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/caracas/121016/torre-este-de-parque-central-8-anos-despues|website=[[El Universal (Caracas)|El Universal]]|archive-date=July 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709194415/https://www.eluniversal.com/caracas/121016/torre-este-de-parque-central-8-anos-despues|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 19]] &ndash; A team of explorers reach the bottom of [[Krubera Cave]], the world's deepest cave, with a depth of 2,080 meters (6,824 feet).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4472585.stm|title=Cavers smash world depth record|date=2005-04-22|website=BBC News|access-date=2017-02-07|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117085920/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4472585.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 20]] &ndash; [[Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono]] is sworn in as the 6th [[President of Indonesia]], becoming the first directly elected president in Indonesia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/21/world/asia/indonesian-president-is-sworn-in-promising-a-cleaner-government.html|title=Indonesian President Is Sworn In, Promising a Cleaner Government|date=2004-10-21|website=New York Times|access-date=2019-04-18|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118235511/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/21/world/asia/indonesian-president-is-sworn-in-promising-a-cleaner-government.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 27]] &ndash; The [[Boston Red Sox]] win the [[2004 World Series|World Series]] for the sixth time after completing a sweep of the [[St. Louis Cardinals]]. It was their first championship since [[1918 World Series|1918]].
* [[October 29]] &ndash; European heads of state sign in Rome the Treaty and Final Act, establishing the first [[Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe|European Constitution]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/constitution/introduction_en.htm|title=SCADPlus: A Constitution for Europe|website=Europa|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104031911/http://europa.eu/scadplus/constitution/introduction_en.htm|archive-date=January 4, 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=2017-02-07}}</ref>

===November===
* [[November 2]] &ndash; [[2004 United States presidential election]]: [[George W. Bush]] is re-elected [[President of the United States]], defeating his Democratic challenger [[John Kerry]].
* [[November 7]] &ndash; The [[Second Battle of Fallujah]] starts.
* [[November 13]] &ndash; The [[European Space Agency]] probe [[SMART-1]] arrives at the [[Moon]], becoming the first European satellite to fly to the Moon and orbit it.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.space.com/2839-smart-1-space-probe-slams-moon.html|title=SMART-1 Space Probe Slams into the Moon|last=Leonard|first=David|date=2006-09-03|newspaper=Space|access-date=2017-02-07|archive-date=February 3, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203031317/http://www.space.com/2839-smart-1-space-probe-slams-moon.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[November 16]] &ndash; [[NASA]]'s [[Hypersonic speed|hypersonic]] ''[[Scramjet]]'' breaks a record by reaching a velocity of about 7,000 mph ([[Mach number|Mach]] 9.6) in an unpiloted experimental flight.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gibbs |first=Yvonne |date=2017-05-10 |title=X-43A Hyper-X |url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/history/pastprojects/HyperX/index.html |access-date=2022-07-28 |website=NASA |language=en |archive-date=May 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520121422/https://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/history/pastprojects/HyperX/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NASA - NASA's X-43A Scramjet Breaks Speed Record |url=https://www.nasa.gov/missions/research/x43_schedule.html |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=www.nasa.gov |language=en |archive-date=October 31, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041031052522/https://www.nasa.gov/missions/research/x43_schedule.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NASA scramjet smashes speed record |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn6686-nasa-scramjet-smashes-speed-record/ |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=New Scientist |language=en-US |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203125551/https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn6686-nasa-scramjet-smashes-speed-record/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[November 21]] &ndash; [[Nintendo]] releases the [[Nintendo DS]], the best-selling handheld game console, in North America.
* [[November 22]] &ndash; The [[Orange Revolution]] begins, following a [[2004 Ukrainian presidential election|disputed presidential election]] in [[Ukraine]] where [[Viktor Yanukovych]] won against [[Viktor Yushchenko]] amid accusations of electoral fraud. A revote results in Yushchenko being declared the winner.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2004/12/ukraines-orange-revolution/305157/|title=Ukraine's 'Orange Revolution'|last=Schneider|first=William|newspaper=The Atlantic|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=December 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206135055/https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2004/12/ukraines-orange-revolution/305157/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[November 26]] &ndash; The last known [[Poʻouli|Po'ouli]] dies in captivity at the Maui Bird Conservation Center in [[Maui]], [[Hawaii]].
* [[November 30]] &ndash; A [[McDonnell Douglas MD-80|McDonnell Douglas MD-82]], operating as [[Lion Air Flight 538]], [[Runway excursion|overran]] the runway and crashed on a cemetery near [[Adisumarmo Airport]], [[Surakarta]], [[Central Java]], Indonesia, killing 25 people.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Runway excursion Accident McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82) PK-LMN |url=https://aviation-safety.net/asndb/322504 |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=aviation-safety.net}}</ref>

===December===
* [[December 14]] &ndash; The world's tallest bridge, the [[Millau Viaduct]] over the [[Tarn (river)|Tarn]] in the [[Massif Central]] mountains, France, is officially opened.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4091813.stm|title=France shows off tallest bridge|date=2004-12-14|website=BBC News|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=May 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506104059/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4091813.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> 
* [[December 16]] &ndash; the [[European Council]] decided to start accession negotiations for [[Turkey]] to become a full member of the [[European Union]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/12/16/eu.turkey/|title=EU agrees to Turkey entry talks|date=December 16, 2004|language=en|website=cnn.com}}</ref>
* [[December 21]] &ndash; Iraqi insurgents [[2004 Forward Operating Base Marez bombing|attack a U.S. military base]] in the city of [[Mosul]], killing 22 people.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/deadly-attack-on-u-s-military-base|title=Deadly Attack on U.S. Military Base|date=2004-12-22|newspaper=Fox News|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202100055/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2004/12/22/deadly-attack-on-us-military-base.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[December 23]] &ndash; The [[Second Battle of Fallujah]] ends.
* [[December 26]] &ndash; The 9.1–9.3 {{M|w}} [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|Indian Ocean earthquake]] shakes northern [[Sumatra]] with a maximum [[Modified Mercalli intensity scale|Mercalli intensity]] of IX (''Violent''). One of the largest observed [[tsunami]]s follows, affecting coastal areas of [[Thailand]], [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Somalia]], the [[Maldives]], [[Malaysia]], [[Myanmar]], [[Bangladesh]], and [[Indonesia]], killing 227,000 people.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30602159|title=Indian Ocean tsunami anniversary: Memorial events held|date=2014-12-26|newspaper=BBC News|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=November 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112195108/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30602159|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[December 27]] &ndash; Astrophysicists from the [[Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics]] in Garching near Munich measure the strongest burst from a [[magnetar]]. At 21:30:26 UT Earth is hit by a huge wave front of gamma and X-rays. It is the strongest flux of high-energetic gamma radiation measured so far.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Starquake Reveals Hidden Structure of a Neutron Star |url=https://phys.org/news/2006-04-starquake-reveals-hidden-neutron-star.html |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=phys.org |language=en |archive-date=September 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908155938/https://phys.org/news/2006-04-starquake-reveals-hidden-neutron-star.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[December 30]] – A [[Cromañón nightclub fire|fire in the República Cromañón nightclub]] in [[Buenos Aires]], Argentina kills 194.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=2011-04-21 |title=Argentina: 7 Members of Band Convicted in Club Fire |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/world/americas/21briefs-7MEMBERSOFBA_BRF.html |access-date=2022-07-28 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429070338/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/world/americas/21briefs-7MEMBERSOFBA_BRF.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[December 31]] &ndash; [[Taipei 101]], at the time the [[List of tallest buildings and structures|tallest]] [[skyscraper]] in the world, standing at a height of {{convert|1,670|ft|m}}, officially opens.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3269477.stm|title=World's tallest building opens|date=2004-12-31|website=BBC News|access-date=2017-01-26|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117205156/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3269477.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Date unknown===
* [[Metrocable (Medellín)]] Line K opens, the first modern urban transit [[Gondola lift|cable car]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Metrocable: transport by urban cable car in Medellín |url=https://www.centreforpublicimpact.org/case-study/urban-cable-car-medillincolombia |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=Centre For Public Impact (CPI) |date=March 25, 2016 |archive-date=September 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908160059/https://www.centreforpublicimpact.org/case-study/urban-cable-car-medillincolombia |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Culture ==

=== Media ===
{{Main|2004 in film|2004 in television|2004 in video games}}
2004 was a year marked by many popular and highly grossing film releases such as ''[[Shrek 2]]'', [[Spider-Man 2|''Spider Man 2'']], ''[[The Incredibles]]'', ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'' and ''[[Howl's Moving Castle (film)|Howl's Moving Castle]]''. 2004 was also the year where [[Toho Studios]] would release [[Godzilla]]'s 50th anniversary movie, ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]],'' the last Godzilla movie until [[Legendary Entertainment]]'s [[Godzilla (2014 film)|Godzilla]] in [[2014]], and the last Japanese Godzilla movie until ''[[Shin Godzilla]]'' in [[2016]].

Many shows would debut and end in 2004, with ''[[Friends]]'' airing its final episode on May 6, 2004 after nearly a decade on air, and [[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]] airing its first episode on September 22 of the same year. [[Tsuburaya Productions]] would air the highly controversial [[Ultraman Nexus]], the 17th entry of the [[Ultraman|Ultra Series]] on October 2, 2004. Though the series was poorly received when it first began its broadcast, it is now seen as one of the best entries of the Ultra Series.

The gaming industry would see the release of many [[First-person shooter|FPS]] and sequel games in 2004, with some of the most famous being ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]''<ref>{{Cite web |first=Rob |last=Fahey |date=2004-03-01 |title=Rockstar announces Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for October '04 |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/rockstar-announces-grand-theft-auto-san-andreas-for-october-04 |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817074031/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/rockstar-announces-grand-theft-auto-san-andreas-for-october-04 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Halo 2]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Halo 2 prepares to storm retail shelves - Nov. 12, 2004 |url=https://money.cnn.com/2004/11/08/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/ |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=money.cnn.com |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817074031/https://money.cnn.com/2004/11/08/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Metroid Prime 2: Echoes]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |first=Rob |last=Fahey |date=2004-02-09 |title=Nintendo hints at 2004 launch for Metroid Prime 2 |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/nintendo-hints-at-2004-launch-for-metroid-prime-2 |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817074031/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/nintendo-hints-at-2004-launch-for-metroid-prime-2 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oxford |first=Nadia |date=July 9, 2020 |title=Paper Mario: The Origami King Isn't the Thousand Year Door, Nor Does It Want to Be |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review-impressions |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209022706/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/paper-mario-the-origami-king-review-impressions |archive-date=February 9, 2021 |access-date=February 9, 2021 |website=[[USGamer]]}}</ref> and [[Half-Life 2|''Half Life 2'']].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dransfield |first=Ian |date=2004-10-18 |title=Half Life 2 Gold: 2004 release |url=https://www.videogamer.com/news/half-life-2-gold-2004-release/ |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=VideoGamer.com |language=en-US |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817074032/https://www.videogamer.com/news/half-life-2-gold-2004-release/ |url-status=live }}</ref> These titles are considered some of the greatest video games of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=International Video Game Hall of Fame Website |url=http://www.ivghof.info/ |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=www.ivghof.info |language=en-US |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817074033/http://www.ivghof.info/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Gabe Newell: IVGHOF 2020 - 2000's era game - "Half Life 2" | date=May 6, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIXjylwvhCQ |access-date=2023-08-17 |language=en |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817074032/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIXjylwvhCQ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Most Influential Games Of The 21st Century: Half-Life 2 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/most-influential-games-of-the-21st-century-half-li/1100-6466992/ |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116123449/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/most-influential-games-of-the-21st-century-half-li/1100-6466992/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Sam |last2=Leedham |first2=Robert |date=2023-05-10 |title=The 100 greatest video games of all time, ranked by experts |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/best-video-games-all-time |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510142624/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/best-video-games-all-time |archive-date=May 10, 2023 |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=British GQ |language=en-GB}}</ref> The ''[[Nintendo DS]]'' also released this year, which grew to become the [[List of best-selling game consoles#Best-selling_game_consoles|best-selling handheld console]] of all time. {{TOC limit|2}}

==Births and deaths==
{{Main|Category:2004 births|Deaths in 2004}}

==Nobel Prizes==
[[File:Nobel medal.png|right|120px]]
* [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry|Chemistry]] &ndash; [[Aaron Ciechanover]], [[Avram Hershko]], [[Irwin Rose]]
* [[Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences|Economics]] &ndash; [[Finn E. Kydland]], [[Edward C. Prescott]]
* [[Nobel Prize in Literature|Literature]] &ndash; [[Elfriede Jelinek]]
* [[Nobel Peace Prize|Peace]] &ndash; [[Wangarĩ Maathai]]
* [[Nobel Prize in Physics|Physics]] &ndash; [[David Gross|David J. Gross]], [[Hugh David Politzer]], [[Frank Wilczek]]
* [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine|Physiology or Medicine]] &ndash; [[Linda B. Buck]], [[Richard Axel]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Events by month links}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2004}}
[[Category:2004| ]]
[[Category:Leap years in the Gregorian calendar]]