Explore the major historical events, famous births, and notable deaths that occurred in the year 2003. This year saw 138 significant events. 6 notable figures were born. 7 notable figures passed away.
On Saturday, February 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated as it re-entered the atmosphere over Texas and Louisiana, killing all seven astronauts on board.
Beginning in late 2002 and continuing after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, large-scale protests against the Iraq War were held in many cities worldwide, often coordinated to occur simultaneously around…
Real Time with Bill Maher is an American television talk show created, written and presented by Bill Maher, and has been airing on HBO since 2003, with an audio-only podcast, with episodes at least…
Actor Paul Rudd (33) weds publicist Julie Yaeger
The journal Nature reports that 350,000-year-old footprints of an upright-walking human have been found in Italy
Airstrikes by an American and British-led coalition signal the beginning of the invasion of Iraq without United Nations support and in defiance of world opinion
Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. Located within the geo-political region of the Middle East, it is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south, Turkey to the north, Iran to...
The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an international scientific research project with the goal of determining the base pairs that make up human DNA, and of identifying, mapping and sequencing all of…
Turkey is negotiating its accession to the European Union (EU) as a member state, following its application to become a full member of the European Economic Community (EEC), the predecessor of the…
Andre Agassi recaptures the world #1 ranking to become the oldest top-ranked male in the history of the ATP rankings at 33 years and 13 days
Annika Charlotta Sörenstam is a Swedish-American professional golfer regarded as one of the best female golfers in history.
American actress Angelina Jolie (26) divorces actor Billy Bob Thornton (47) due to irreconcilable differences
A Mars landing is a landing of a spacecraft on the surface of Mars. Of multiple attempted Mars landings by robotic, uncrewed spacecraft, ten have had successful soft landings.
Barry Bonds steals second base against the LA Dodgers, becoming the first player in MLB history to have 500 career home runs and 500 steals
NATO takes over command of the peacekeeping force in Afghanistan in its first major operation outside Europe in its 54-year history
American actress Halle Berry announces her separation from second husband, R&B singer Eric Benet
Actress Sadie Frost (35) divorces actor Jude Law (30) after nearly six years of marriage [1]
16-year-old Lionel Messi makes his official debut for FC Barcelona when he comes on as a substitute in a friendly against Porto
American entertainer Britney Spears has received numerous industry awards and honorary accolades.
"The Return of the King," the third and final film in the Lord of the Rings series, directed by Peter Jackson and starring Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen, premieres in Wellington, New Zealand
Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is captured in a spider hole near his home town of Tikrit, during Operation Red Dawn by US forces
Retired NFL quarterback John Elway (43) divorces first wife Janet Buchan after 18 years of marriage
NBA announces Charlotte, N.C. is awarded an NBA expansion franchise to be known as the Charlotte Bobcats and start play in 2004-05; eventually changes to the Charlotte Hornets for the 2014-15 season
Washington right wing Jaromír Jágr scores his 10th career hat-trick and adds 4 assists for 7 points and his 1,200th NHL point in a 12-2 win against Florida; Jágr has 20+ goals in each of his 13 NHL seasons
On Saturday, February 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated as it re-entered the atmosphere over Texas and Louisiana, killing all seven astronauts on board.
A bushfire kills 4 people and destroys more than 500 homes in Canberra, Australia.
Final communication between Earth and NASA space probe Pioneer 10 then 7.6 billion miles (12.23 billion kilometers) from Earth
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the U.S. federal executive department responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior, home, or public security...
Sally Clark cleared of murdering her 2 sons after more than 3 years of prison in what was a life sentence
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Belgium since 1 June 2003. A bill for the legalization of same-sex marriages was passed by the Senate on 28 November 2002, and by the Chamber of Representatives on...
The Waterfall rail accident occurs near Waterfall, New South Wales, Australia; 7 die when train driver has a heart attack and safety system fails
The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is officially renamed Serbia and Montenegro and adopts a new constitution.
France and Belgium break the NATO procedure of silent approval concerning the timing of protective measures for Turkey in case of a possible war with Iraq.
45th Daytona 500: Michael Waltrip wins for the second time in 3 years; race ends after 109 laps when rain pours on the track
The London congestion charge is a fee charged on most cars and motor vehicles being driven within the Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ) in Central London between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm Monday to Friday, and...
A comet is an icy, small Solar System body or interstellar object that warms and begins to release gases when passing close to the Sun, a process called outgassing.
Pyrotechnics display sets 'The Station' nightclub ablaze during a concert by rock band Great White; kills 100 and injuries over 300 others (West Warwick, Rhode Island)
Pakistani pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar bowls the fastest ball recorded in cricket history at 100.2 mph (161.3 km/h)
Former Bosnian Serb leader Biljana Plavsic is sentenced by the U.N. tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, to 11 years in prison
Legendary Mount St. Mary's basketball head coach Jim Phelan wins final game of 49 year career as Mountaineers win 60-56 over Central Connecticut State; Phelan: 830 wins in NCAA record 1,354 games
Seventeen Israeli civilians are killed by a Hamas suicide bomber in the Haifa bus 37 bombing
"My Front Porch Looking In" is a song written by Richie McDonald, Frank J. Myers and Don Pfrimmer, and recorded by American country music group Lonestar.
Nicholas Winton (93), former British stockbroker who helped 669 young Jews flee Czechoslovakia on the eve of the Nazi invasion in 1939, receives knighthood from Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace
Elizabeth Ann Gilmour is an American child safety activist and commentator for ABC News.
On 15 February 2003, a coordinated day of protests was held across the world in which people in more than 600 cities expressed opposition to the imminent Iraq War.
Beginning in late 2002 and continuing after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, large-scale protests against the Iraq War were held in many cities worldwide, often coordinated to occur simultaneously around...
The 2003 invasion of Iraq was the first stage of the Iraq War. The invasion began on 20 March 2003 and lasted just over one month, including 26 days of major combat operations.
British Sign Language (BSL) is a sign language used in the United Kingdom and is the first or preferred language among the deaf community in the UK.
The Arab League votes 21-1 in favor of a resolution demanding the immediate and unconditional removal of U.S. and British soldiers from Iraq.
In a "friendly fire" incident, two US A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 190th Fighter Squadron attack British tanks participating in the invasion of Iraq, killing British soldier Matty Hull
The Kansas City Royals become the first MLB team to begin the season 5-0 after losing 100 games the previous year, beating the Cleveland Indians, 2 - 1
The 2003 NFL draft was the procedure by which National Football League (NFL) teams selected amateur college football players.
The Old Man of the Mountain, also called the Great Stone Face and the Profile, was a series of five granite cliff ledges on Cannon Mountain in Franconia, New Hampshire, United States, that appeared...
Arsenal thrash Southampton, 6-1 at Highbury to start Gunners' amazing English Premier League record 49-game unbeaten streak; ends 24 October, 2004 with 2-0 defeat at Manchester United
From May 3 to May 11, 2003, a prolonged and destructive series of tornado outbreaks affected much of the Great Plains and Eastern United States.
Fifty-nine Democratic lawmakers bring the Texas Legislature to a standstill by going into hiding in a dispute over a Republican congressional redistricting plan
Calcutta high court rules Calcutta does not have a birthday and that British East India employee Job Charnock is not the city's founder as previously claimed
Earthquake hits northern Algeria, killing more than 2,000 people
The Euro exceeds its initial trading value as it hits $1.18 for the first time since its introduction in 1999
2003 in film is an overview of events, including the highest-grossing films, award ceremonies, festivals, a list of country- and genre- specific lists of films released, notable deaths and film...
Only three days after a previous record, Sherpa Lakpa Gelu climbs Mount Everest in 10 hours 56 minutes. The tourism ministry of Nepal confirms this record in July that year.
The Three Gorges Dam, officially known as Yangtze River Three Gorges Water Conservancy Project is a hydroelectric gravity dam that spans the Yangtze River near Sandouping in Yiling District, Yichang,...
Europe launches its first voyage to another planet, Mars. The European Space Agency's Mars Express probe launches from the Baikonur space centre in Kazakhstan.
A heat wave or heatwave, sometimes described as extreme heat, is a period of abnormally hot weather and natural disaster that lasts for multiple days.
The 57th Annual Tony Awards was held at Radio City Music Hall on June 8, 2003, and broadcast by CBS television. The event was hosted for the first time by Australian actor Hugh Jackman.
Stanley Cup Final, Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, NJ: New Jersey Devils beat Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, 3-0 for 4-3 series win
Same-sex marriage was progressively introduced in several provinces and territories of Canada by court decisions beginning in 2003 before being legally recognized nationwide with the enactment of the...
US National Do Not Call Registry is created by the Federal Trade Commission to combat unwanted telemarketing calls and enrolls almost three-quarters of a million phone numbers on its first day
Aerobie Pro thrown by Erin Hemmings sets world record for longest throw at 1,333 feet (406.3 meters) at Fort Funston
French driver Sébastien Bourdais wins first-ever night road-course event in Champ Car history on Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport layout
70-meter Eupatoria Planetary Radar sends a METI message (Cosmic Call 2) to 5 stars: Hip 4872, HD 245409, 55 Cancri, HD 10307 and 47 Ursae Majoris that will arrive in 2036, 2040, May 2044, September 2044, and 2049, respectively
The United Communist Party of Armenia is a communist political party in Armenia. It was formed on July 7, 2003 through the merger of: Renewed Communist Party of Armenia - (in Armenian: Հայաստանի...
Sudan Airways Flight 39, with 116 people on board, crashes in Sudan; the only survivor is a two-year-old boy who subsequently dies as a result of his injuries
Neoplan bus owned by Kowloon Motor Bus collides with a truck, falls off a bridge on Tuen Mun Road, Hong Kong, and plunges into the underlying valley, killing 21 people, making it the deadliest traffic accident in Hong Kong
Netscape Communications Corporation (originally Mosaic Communications Corporation) was an American independent computer services company with headquarters in Mountain View, California, and then...
France: Sixteen people are injured after two bombs explode outside a tax office in Nice.
Members of US 101st Airborne, aided by Special Forces, attack a compound in Mosul, Iraq, killing Uday Hussein and Qusay Hussein, sons of Saddam Hussein, along with Mustapha Hussein, Qusay's 14-year old son, and a bodyguard
South African cricket batsman Graeme Smith blazes 259, and fast bowler Makhaya Ntini takes five wickets in each England innings as Proteas win the second Test by an innings and 92 runs at Lord's
A suicide bomber detonated a car bomb outside the lobby of the JW Marriott Jakarta hotel on 5 August 2003, killing 12 people and injuring 150.
The highest temperature ever recorded in the UK: 38.5°C (101.3°F) in Kent, the first time the UK records a temperature over 100°F
A heatwave in Paris results in temperatures rising to 112°F (44°C), leaving approximately 144 people dead
The Northeast blackout of 2003 was a widespread power outage throughout parts of the Northeastern and Midwestern United States, and most parts of the Canadian province of Ontario on Thursday, August...
A car bomb attack on United Nations headquarters in Iraq kills the agency's top envoy, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and 21 other employees
Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore is suspended after refusing to comply with a federal court order to remove a rock inscribed with the Ten Commandments from the lobby of the Alabama Supreme Court building
Tłı̨chǫ land claims agreement is signed between the Tłı̨chǫ First Nations and the Canadian federal government in Rae-Edzo (now called Behchokǫ̀)
Mars makes its closest approach to Earth in nearly 60,000 years, passing within 34,646,418 miles (55,758,005 km)
Electricity blackout cuts off power to around 500,000 people living in southeast England and brings 60% of London's Underground rail network to a halt
Ayatollah Sayed Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim, the Shia Muslim leader in Iraq, is assassinated in a terrorist bombing, along with nearly 100 worshippers as they leave a mosque in Najaf
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety enters into effect to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by genetically modified organisms
In Fallujah, US forces mistakenly shoot and kill eight Iraqi police officers
Anna Stöhr wins a gold medal in lead climbing at the European Youth Cup in Niederwangen, Switzerland
British rock singer Mike Smith (Dave Clark Five) fractures spine falling while trying to enter his home after locking himself out, becomes permanently paralyzed from the waist down
Baltimore running back Jamal Lewis sets the NFL single-game rushing record when he runs for 295 yards and 2 touchdowns on 30 carries in the Ravens 33-13 victory over Cleveland
The United Kingdom's Local Government Act 2003, repealing controversial Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, receives Royal Assent
A referendum is held in Latvia to decide the country's accession to the European Union
Crime drama "NCIS," starring Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, Pauley Perrette, and David McCallum, premieres on CBS in the US
Magnitude 8.0 earthquake strikes just offshore of Hokkaidō, Japan
SMART-1 satellite is launched by the European Space Agency from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, to orbit the Moon
British adventurer David Hempleman-Adams (46) becomes the first person to cross the Atlantic Ocean in an open wicker basket hot air balloon, landing in Lancashire, England 83 hours after ascending from New Brunswick, Canada [1]
Hurricane Juan was a significant tropical cyclone which caused extensive damage to parts of Atlantic Canada, being the tenth named storm and the sixth hurricane of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season.
Father of the Pride is an American animated sitcom created by Jeffrey Katzenberg and produced by DreamWorks Animation for NBC. Father of the Pride follows a family of white lions, the patriarch of...
Jockey Jerry Bailey surpasses his own single season record for North American purse earnings ($19,271,814) set in 2002; wins aboard Sightseek in Beldame Stakes & Birdstone in Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park
Chicago Cubs win their first MLB postseason series since the 1908 World Series with a 5-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 5 of the NLDS at Turner Field
Shirin Ebadi is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her significant and pioneering efforts for democracy and human rights, becoming the first Iranian Muslim woman to receive the prize
FIFA Women's World Cup Final, Home Depot Center, Carson, CA: Nia Künzer scores winner in sudden death extra time as Germany beats Sweden, 2-1
German Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher finishes 8th at the season-ending Japanese F1 Grand Prix at Suzuka; clinches 4th consecutive World Drivers Championship by 2 points from Kimi Räikkönen
Fan Steve Bartman deflects the ball away from Chicago Cubs outfielder Moises Alou. Cubs give up eight runs in the inning and lose to the Marlins 8-3, and the Bartman incident is seen as the turning point in the series
Shenzhou 5 was the first human spaceflight mission of the Chinese space program, launched on 15 October 2003. The Shenzhou spacecraft was launched on a Long March 2F launch vehicle.
Eunuchs in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh form the political party Jiti Jitayi Politics
The Bolivian Gas War (Spanish: Guerra del Gas) or Bolivian gas conflict was a social confrontation in Bolivia reaching its peak in 2003, centering on the exploitation of the country's vast natural...
Images of Eris are taken by the team of Michael E. Brown, Chad Trujillo, and David L. Rabinowitz, leading to the discovery of the dwarf planet
Concorde began scheduled flights with British Airways (BA) and Air France (AF) on 21 January 1976.
The Cedar Fire, the second-largest fire in Californian history, kills 15 people, consumes 250,000 acres (1,000 km²), destroys 2,200 homes around San Diego
A bankruptcy court approves MCI's reorganization plans, essentially clearing the telecommunications company to exit bankruptcy
Bethany Meilani Hamilton is an American professional surfer and writer. On October 31, 2003, she survived a shark attack in which her left arm was bitten off; ultimately, she returned to professional...
Arkansas beats Kentucky, 71-63 at Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington; ties NCAA record for longest football game ever played, with 7 overtime periods
New York City Marathon: Margaret Okayo of Kenya wins in 2:22:31 to break her own record; her countryman Martin Lel wins men's race in 2:10:30
Two major bombings took place in residential compounds in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 12 May 2003, 39 people were killed, and over 160 wounded (mostly Westerners) when bombs went off at three compounds...
In Nasiriya, Iraq, at least 23 people, including the first Italian casualties of the 2003 Iraq War, are killed in a suicide bomb attack on an Italian police base
First day of the Istanbul Bombings takes place, followed by additional bombings on November 20th
The rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the United Kingdom have developed significantly over time.
After the November 15 bombings, a second day of the 2003 Istanbul Bombings occurs in Istanbul, Turkey, destroying the Turkish head office of HSBC Bank AS and the British consulate.
5th Rugby World Cup Final, Stadium Australia, Sydney: Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson lands winning drop goal in extra time as England beats Australia, 20-17
Kashmir ( KASH-meer or kash-MEER) is the northernmost geographical region of the Indian subcontinent.
Mexican singer Thalia the "Queen of Latin Pop" is awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles
Television adaptation of Tony Kushner's "Angels in America" directed by Mike Nichols, starring Justin Kirk and Al Pacino, premieres on HBO
"Peter Pan" live action adventure film adaptation of the 1904 play and 1911 by J.M. Barrie premieres in London; flops at the box office
69th Heisman Trophy Award: Jason White, Oklahoma (QB)
President of Pakistan Pervez Musharaf narrowly escapes an assassination attempt
The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers is observed annually on 17 December by sex workers, their clientele, friends, families and allies.
The 2003 San Simeon earthquake struck at 11:15 PST (19:15 UTC) on December 22 on the Central Coast of California, about 7 miles (11 km) northeast of San Simeon.
Ballon d'Or: Juventus' Czech midfielder Pavel Nedvěd is named best football player in Europe ahead of Arsenal forward Thierry Henry and Milan defender Paolo Maldini
Isiah Lord Thomas III ( eye-ZAY-ə; born April 30, 1961), also known as "Zeke", is an American former professional basketball player who is a current analyst for NBA TV and Fox Sports.
PetroChina Chuandongbei natural gas field explosion, Guoqiao, Kai, Chongqing, China, killing at least 234.
Spanish police thwart an attempt by ETA to detonate 50 kg of explosives at 3:55 p.m. inside Madrid's busy Chamartín Station.
The ill-fated Beagle 2 probe which was released from the Mars Express Spacecraft on December 19, disappears shortly before its scheduled landing.
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake devastates southeast Iranian city of Bam, killing tens of thousands and destroying the citadel of Arg-é Bam.
The Plame affair (also known as the CIA leak scandal and Plamegate) was a political scandal that revolved around journalist Robert Novak's public identification of Valerie Plame as a covert Central...
Greta Thunberg, Swedish activist, known for swedish activist, was born on 2003-01-03.
Caitlin Clark, American athlete, known for american basketball player, was born on 2003-01-22.
Jenna Ortega, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 2003-09-27. Jenna Marie Ortega is an American actress.
Maddie Ziegler, American actress and dancer, known for american actress and dancer, was born on 2003-09-30. Madison Nicole Ziegler is an American actress and dancer.
Jacob Sartorius, American musician, known for american social media personality, was born on 2003-10-02. Rolf Jacob Sartorius is an American social media personality and singer.
Finn Wolfhard, Canadian actor and musician, known for canadian actor and musician, was born on 2003-12-23. Finn Michael Wolfhard is a Canadian actor, musician, and film director.
Dolly the Sheep first cloned mammal, known for first cloned mammal, died on 2003-02-14.
Fred Rogers, American television host and author, known for american television host and author, died on 2003-02-27.
Little Eva, American singer, known for american singer, died on 2003-04-10. Eva Narcissus Boyd (June 29, 1943 – April 10, 2003), known by her stage name Little Eva, was an American singer best known…
June Carter Cash, American singer, known for american singer, died on 2003-05-15. Valerie June Carter Cash (June 23, 1929 – May 15, 2003) was an American country singer, songwriter, comedienne,…
Strom Thurmond politician, known for american politician, died on 2003-06-26. James Strom Thurmond Sr.
Barry White, American singer, known for american singer, died on 2003-07-04. Barry Eugene White (né Carter; September 12, 1944 – July 4, 2003) was an American R&B and disco singer, songwriter, actor,…
Charles Bronson, American actor, known for american actor, died on 2003-08-30. Charles Bronson was an American actor.
On Saturday, February 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated as it re-entered the atmosphere over Texas and Louisiana, killing all seven astronauts on board.
Beginning in late 2002 and continuing after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, large-scale protests against the Iraq War were held in many cities worldwide, often coordinated to occur simultaneously around…
Real Time with Bill Maher is an American television talk show created, written and presented by Bill Maher, and has been airing on HBO since 2003, with an audio-only podcast, with episodes at least…
Actor Paul Rudd (33) weds publicist Julie Yaeger
The journal Nature reports that 350,000-year-old footprints of an upright-walking human have been found in Italy
Airstrikes by an American and British-led coalition signal the beginning of the invasion of Iraq without United Nations support and in defiance of world opinion
Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. Located within the geo-political region of the Middle East, it is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south, Turkey to the north, Iran to...
The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an international scientific research project with the goal of determining the base pairs that make up human DNA, and of identifying, mapping and sequencing all of…
Turkey is negotiating its accession to the European Union (EU) as a member state, following its application to become a full member of the European Economic Community (EEC), the predecessor of the…
Andre Agassi recaptures the world #1 ranking to become the oldest top-ranked male in the history of the ATP rankings at 33 years and 13 days
Annika Charlotta Sörenstam is a Swedish-American professional golfer regarded as one of the best female golfers in history.
American actress Angelina Jolie (26) divorces actor Billy Bob Thornton (47) due to irreconcilable differences
A Mars landing is a landing of a spacecraft on the surface of Mars. Of multiple attempted Mars landings by robotic, uncrewed spacecraft, ten have had successful soft landings.
Barry Bonds steals second base against the LA Dodgers, becoming the first player in MLB history to have 500 career home runs and 500 steals
NATO takes over command of the peacekeeping force in Afghanistan in its first major operation outside Europe in its 54-year history
American actress Halle Berry announces her separation from second husband, R&B singer Eric Benet
Actress Sadie Frost (35) divorces actor Jude Law (30) after nearly six years of marriage [1]
16-year-old Lionel Messi makes his official debut for FC Barcelona when he comes on as a substitute in a friendly against Porto
American entertainer Britney Spears has received numerous industry awards and honorary accolades.
"The Return of the King," the third and final film in the Lord of the Rings series, directed by Peter Jackson and starring Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen, premieres in Wellington, New Zealand
Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is captured in a spider hole near his home town of Tikrit, during Operation Red Dawn by US forces
Retired NFL quarterback John Elway (43) divorces first wife Janet Buchan after 18 years of marriage
NBA announces Charlotte, N.C. is awarded an NBA expansion franchise to be known as the Charlotte Bobcats and start play in 2004-05; eventually changes to the Charlotte Hornets for the 2014-15 season
Washington right wing Jaromír Jágr scores his 10th career hat-trick and adds 4 assists for 7 points and his 1,200th NHL point in a 12-2 win against Florida; Jágr has 20+ goals in each of his 13 NHL seasons
On Saturday, February 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated as it re-entered the atmosphere over Texas and Louisiana, killing all seven astronauts on board.
A bushfire kills 4 people and destroys more than 500 homes in Canberra, Australia.
Final communication between Earth and NASA space probe Pioneer 10 then 7.6 billion miles (12.23 billion kilometers) from Earth
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the U.S. federal executive department responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior, home, or public security...
Sally Clark cleared of murdering her 2 sons after more than 3 years of prison in what was a life sentence
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Belgium since 1 June 2003. A bill for the legalization of same-sex marriages was passed by the Senate on 28 November 2002, and by the Chamber of Representatives on...
The Waterfall rail accident occurs near Waterfall, New South Wales, Australia; 7 die when train driver has a heart attack and safety system fails
The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is officially renamed Serbia and Montenegro and adopts a new constitution.
France and Belgium break the NATO procedure of silent approval concerning the timing of protective measures for Turkey in case of a possible war with Iraq.
45th Daytona 500: Michael Waltrip wins for the second time in 3 years; race ends after 109 laps when rain pours on the track
The London congestion charge is a fee charged on most cars and motor vehicles being driven within the Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ) in Central London between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm Monday to Friday, and...
A comet is an icy, small Solar System body or interstellar object that warms and begins to release gases when passing close to the Sun, a process called outgassing.
Pyrotechnics display sets 'The Station' nightclub ablaze during a concert by rock band Great White; kills 100 and injuries over 300 others (West Warwick, Rhode Island)
Pakistani pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar bowls the fastest ball recorded in cricket history at 100.2 mph (161.3 km/h)
Former Bosnian Serb leader Biljana Plavsic is sentenced by the U.N. tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, to 11 years in prison
Legendary Mount St. Mary's basketball head coach Jim Phelan wins final game of 49 year career as Mountaineers win 60-56 over Central Connecticut State; Phelan: 830 wins in NCAA record 1,354 games
Seventeen Israeli civilians are killed by a Hamas suicide bomber in the Haifa bus 37 bombing
"My Front Porch Looking In" is a song written by Richie McDonald, Frank J. Myers and Don Pfrimmer, and recorded by American country music group Lonestar.
Nicholas Winton (93), former British stockbroker who helped 669 young Jews flee Czechoslovakia on the eve of the Nazi invasion in 1939, receives knighthood from Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace
Elizabeth Ann Gilmour is an American child safety activist and commentator for ABC News.
On 15 February 2003, a coordinated day of protests was held across the world in which people in more than 600 cities expressed opposition to the imminent Iraq War.
Beginning in late 2002 and continuing after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, large-scale protests against the Iraq War were held in many cities worldwide, often coordinated to occur simultaneously around...
The 2003 invasion of Iraq was the first stage of the Iraq War. The invasion began on 20 March 2003 and lasted just over one month, including 26 days of major combat operations.
British Sign Language (BSL) is a sign language used in the United Kingdom and is the first or preferred language among the deaf community in the UK.
The Arab League votes 21-1 in favor of a resolution demanding the immediate and unconditional removal of U.S. and British soldiers from Iraq.
In a "friendly fire" incident, two US A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 190th Fighter Squadron attack British tanks participating in the invasion of Iraq, killing British soldier Matty Hull
The Kansas City Royals become the first MLB team to begin the season 5-0 after losing 100 games the previous year, beating the Cleveland Indians, 2 - 1
The 2003 NFL draft was the procedure by which National Football League (NFL) teams selected amateur college football players.
The Old Man of the Mountain, also called the Great Stone Face and the Profile, was a series of five granite cliff ledges on Cannon Mountain in Franconia, New Hampshire, United States, that appeared...
Arsenal thrash Southampton, 6-1 at Highbury to start Gunners' amazing English Premier League record 49-game unbeaten streak; ends 24 October, 2004 with 2-0 defeat at Manchester United
From May 3 to May 11, 2003, a prolonged and destructive series of tornado outbreaks affected much of the Great Plains and Eastern United States.
Fifty-nine Democratic lawmakers bring the Texas Legislature to a standstill by going into hiding in a dispute over a Republican congressional redistricting plan
Calcutta high court rules Calcutta does not have a birthday and that British East India employee Job Charnock is not the city's founder as previously claimed
Earthquake hits northern Algeria, killing more than 2,000 people
The Euro exceeds its initial trading value as it hits $1.18 for the first time since its introduction in 1999
2003 in film is an overview of events, including the highest-grossing films, award ceremonies, festivals, a list of country- and genre- specific lists of films released, notable deaths and film...
Only three days after a previous record, Sherpa Lakpa Gelu climbs Mount Everest in 10 hours 56 minutes. The tourism ministry of Nepal confirms this record in July that year.
The Three Gorges Dam, officially known as Yangtze River Three Gorges Water Conservancy Project is a hydroelectric gravity dam that spans the Yangtze River near Sandouping in Yiling District, Yichang,...
Europe launches its first voyage to another planet, Mars. The European Space Agency's Mars Express probe launches from the Baikonur space centre in Kazakhstan.
A heat wave or heatwave, sometimes described as extreme heat, is a period of abnormally hot weather and natural disaster that lasts for multiple days.
The 57th Annual Tony Awards was held at Radio City Music Hall on June 8, 2003, and broadcast by CBS television. The event was hosted for the first time by Australian actor Hugh Jackman.
Stanley Cup Final, Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, NJ: New Jersey Devils beat Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, 3-0 for 4-3 series win
Same-sex marriage was progressively introduced in several provinces and territories of Canada by court decisions beginning in 2003 before being legally recognized nationwide with the enactment of the...
US National Do Not Call Registry is created by the Federal Trade Commission to combat unwanted telemarketing calls and enrolls almost three-quarters of a million phone numbers on its first day
Aerobie Pro thrown by Erin Hemmings sets world record for longest throw at 1,333 feet (406.3 meters) at Fort Funston
French driver Sébastien Bourdais wins first-ever night road-course event in Champ Car history on Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport layout
70-meter Eupatoria Planetary Radar sends a METI message (Cosmic Call 2) to 5 stars: Hip 4872, HD 245409, 55 Cancri, HD 10307 and 47 Ursae Majoris that will arrive in 2036, 2040, May 2044, September 2044, and 2049, respectively
The United Communist Party of Armenia is a communist political party in Armenia. It was formed on July 7, 2003 through the merger of: Renewed Communist Party of Armenia - (in Armenian: Հայաստանի...
Sudan Airways Flight 39, with 116 people on board, crashes in Sudan; the only survivor is a two-year-old boy who subsequently dies as a result of his injuries
Neoplan bus owned by Kowloon Motor Bus collides with a truck, falls off a bridge on Tuen Mun Road, Hong Kong, and plunges into the underlying valley, killing 21 people, making it the deadliest traffic accident in Hong Kong
Netscape Communications Corporation (originally Mosaic Communications Corporation) was an American independent computer services company with headquarters in Mountain View, California, and then...
France: Sixteen people are injured after two bombs explode outside a tax office in Nice.
Members of US 101st Airborne, aided by Special Forces, attack a compound in Mosul, Iraq, killing Uday Hussein and Qusay Hussein, sons of Saddam Hussein, along with Mustapha Hussein, Qusay's 14-year old son, and a bodyguard
South African cricket batsman Graeme Smith blazes 259, and fast bowler Makhaya Ntini takes five wickets in each England innings as Proteas win the second Test by an innings and 92 runs at Lord's
A suicide bomber detonated a car bomb outside the lobby of the JW Marriott Jakarta hotel on 5 August 2003, killing 12 people and injuring 150.
The highest temperature ever recorded in the UK: 38.5°C (101.3°F) in Kent, the first time the UK records a temperature over 100°F
A heatwave in Paris results in temperatures rising to 112°F (44°C), leaving approximately 144 people dead
The Northeast blackout of 2003 was a widespread power outage throughout parts of the Northeastern and Midwestern United States, and most parts of the Canadian province of Ontario on Thursday, August...
A car bomb attack on United Nations headquarters in Iraq kills the agency's top envoy, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and 21 other employees
Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore is suspended after refusing to comply with a federal court order to remove a rock inscribed with the Ten Commandments from the lobby of the Alabama Supreme Court building
Tłı̨chǫ land claims agreement is signed between the Tłı̨chǫ First Nations and the Canadian federal government in Rae-Edzo (now called Behchokǫ̀)
Mars makes its closest approach to Earth in nearly 60,000 years, passing within 34,646,418 miles (55,758,005 km)
Electricity blackout cuts off power to around 500,000 people living in southeast England and brings 60% of London's Underground rail network to a halt
Ayatollah Sayed Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim, the Shia Muslim leader in Iraq, is assassinated in a terrorist bombing, along with nearly 100 worshippers as they leave a mosque in Najaf
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety enters into effect to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by genetically modified organisms
In Fallujah, US forces mistakenly shoot and kill eight Iraqi police officers
Anna Stöhr wins a gold medal in lead climbing at the European Youth Cup in Niederwangen, Switzerland
British rock singer Mike Smith (Dave Clark Five) fractures spine falling while trying to enter his home after locking himself out, becomes permanently paralyzed from the waist down
Baltimore running back Jamal Lewis sets the NFL single-game rushing record when he runs for 295 yards and 2 touchdowns on 30 carries in the Ravens 33-13 victory over Cleveland
The United Kingdom's Local Government Act 2003, repealing controversial Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, receives Royal Assent
A referendum is held in Latvia to decide the country's accession to the European Union
Crime drama "NCIS," starring Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, Pauley Perrette, and David McCallum, premieres on CBS in the US
Magnitude 8.0 earthquake strikes just offshore of Hokkaidō, Japan
SMART-1 satellite is launched by the European Space Agency from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, to orbit the Moon
British adventurer David Hempleman-Adams (46) becomes the first person to cross the Atlantic Ocean in an open wicker basket hot air balloon, landing in Lancashire, England 83 hours after ascending from New Brunswick, Canada [1]
Hurricane Juan was a significant tropical cyclone which caused extensive damage to parts of Atlantic Canada, being the tenth named storm and the sixth hurricane of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season.
Father of the Pride is an American animated sitcom created by Jeffrey Katzenberg and produced by DreamWorks Animation for NBC. Father of the Pride follows a family of white lions, the patriarch of...
Jockey Jerry Bailey surpasses his own single season record for North American purse earnings ($19,271,814) set in 2002; wins aboard Sightseek in Beldame Stakes & Birdstone in Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park
Chicago Cubs win their first MLB postseason series since the 1908 World Series with a 5-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 5 of the NLDS at Turner Field
Shirin Ebadi is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her significant and pioneering efforts for democracy and human rights, becoming the first Iranian Muslim woman to receive the prize
FIFA Women's World Cup Final, Home Depot Center, Carson, CA: Nia Künzer scores winner in sudden death extra time as Germany beats Sweden, 2-1
German Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher finishes 8th at the season-ending Japanese F1 Grand Prix at Suzuka; clinches 4th consecutive World Drivers Championship by 2 points from Kimi Räikkönen
Fan Steve Bartman deflects the ball away from Chicago Cubs outfielder Moises Alou. Cubs give up eight runs in the inning and lose to the Marlins 8-3, and the Bartman incident is seen as the turning point in the series
Shenzhou 5 was the first human spaceflight mission of the Chinese space program, launched on 15 October 2003. The Shenzhou spacecraft was launched on a Long March 2F launch vehicle.
Eunuchs in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh form the political party Jiti Jitayi Politics
The Bolivian Gas War (Spanish: Guerra del Gas) or Bolivian gas conflict was a social confrontation in Bolivia reaching its peak in 2003, centering on the exploitation of the country's vast natural...
Images of Eris are taken by the team of Michael E. Brown, Chad Trujillo, and David L. Rabinowitz, leading to the discovery of the dwarf planet
Concorde began scheduled flights with British Airways (BA) and Air France (AF) on 21 January 1976.
The Cedar Fire, the second-largest fire in Californian history, kills 15 people, consumes 250,000 acres (1,000 km²), destroys 2,200 homes around San Diego
A bankruptcy court approves MCI's reorganization plans, essentially clearing the telecommunications company to exit bankruptcy
Bethany Meilani Hamilton is an American professional surfer and writer. On October 31, 2003, she survived a shark attack in which her left arm was bitten off; ultimately, she returned to professional...
Arkansas beats Kentucky, 71-63 at Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington; ties NCAA record for longest football game ever played, with 7 overtime periods
New York City Marathon: Margaret Okayo of Kenya wins in 2:22:31 to break her own record; her countryman Martin Lel wins men's race in 2:10:30
Two major bombings took place in residential compounds in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 12 May 2003, 39 people were killed, and over 160 wounded (mostly Westerners) when bombs went off at three compounds...
In Nasiriya, Iraq, at least 23 people, including the first Italian casualties of the 2003 Iraq War, are killed in a suicide bomb attack on an Italian police base
First day of the Istanbul Bombings takes place, followed by additional bombings on November 20th
The rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the United Kingdom have developed significantly over time.
After the November 15 bombings, a second day of the 2003 Istanbul Bombings occurs in Istanbul, Turkey, destroying the Turkish head office of HSBC Bank AS and the British consulate.
5th Rugby World Cup Final, Stadium Australia, Sydney: Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson lands winning drop goal in extra time as England beats Australia, 20-17
Kashmir ( KASH-meer or kash-MEER) is the northernmost geographical region of the Indian subcontinent.
Mexican singer Thalia the "Queen of Latin Pop" is awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles
Television adaptation of Tony Kushner's "Angels in America" directed by Mike Nichols, starring Justin Kirk and Al Pacino, premieres on HBO
"Peter Pan" live action adventure film adaptation of the 1904 play and 1911 by J.M. Barrie premieres in London; flops at the box office
69th Heisman Trophy Award: Jason White, Oklahoma (QB)
President of Pakistan Pervez Musharaf narrowly escapes an assassination attempt
The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers is observed annually on 17 December by sex workers, their clientele, friends, families and allies.
The 2003 San Simeon earthquake struck at 11:15 PST (19:15 UTC) on December 22 on the Central Coast of California, about 7 miles (11 km) northeast of San Simeon.
Ballon d'Or: Juventus' Czech midfielder Pavel Nedvěd is named best football player in Europe ahead of Arsenal forward Thierry Henry and Milan defender Paolo Maldini
Isiah Lord Thomas III ( eye-ZAY-ə; born April 30, 1961), also known as "Zeke", is an American former professional basketball player who is a current analyst for NBA TV and Fox Sports.
PetroChina Chuandongbei natural gas field explosion, Guoqiao, Kai, Chongqing, China, killing at least 234.
Spanish police thwart an attempt by ETA to detonate 50 kg of explosives at 3:55 p.m. inside Madrid's busy Chamartín Station.
The ill-fated Beagle 2 probe which was released from the Mars Express Spacecraft on December 19, disappears shortly before its scheduled landing.
A magnitude 6.6 earthquake devastates southeast Iranian city of Bam, killing tens of thousands and destroying the citadel of Arg-é Bam.
The Plame affair (also known as the CIA leak scandal and Plamegate) was a political scandal that revolved around journalist Robert Novak's public identification of Valerie Plame as a covert Central...
Greta Thunberg, Swedish activist, known for swedish activist, was born on 2003-01-03.
Caitlin Clark, American athlete, known for american basketball player, was born on 2003-01-22.
Jenna Ortega, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 2003-09-27. Jenna Marie Ortega is an American actress.
Maddie Ziegler, American actress and dancer, known for american actress and dancer, was born on 2003-09-30. Madison Nicole Ziegler is an American actress and dancer.
Jacob Sartorius, American musician, known for american social media personality, was born on 2003-10-02. Rolf Jacob Sartorius is an American social media personality and singer.
Finn Wolfhard, Canadian actor and musician, known for canadian actor and musician, was born on 2003-12-23. Finn Michael Wolfhard is a Canadian actor, musician, and film director.
Dolly the Sheep first cloned mammal, known for first cloned mammal, died on 2003-02-14.
Fred Rogers, American television host and author, known for american television host and author, died on 2003-02-27.
Little Eva, American singer, known for american singer, died on 2003-04-10. Eva Narcissus Boyd (June 29, 1943 – April 10, 2003), known by her stage name Little Eva, was an American singer best known…
June Carter Cash, American singer, known for american singer, died on 2003-05-15. Valerie June Carter Cash (June 23, 1929 – May 15, 2003) was an American country singer, songwriter, comedienne,…
Strom Thurmond politician, known for american politician, died on 2003-06-26. James Strom Thurmond Sr.
Barry White, American singer, known for american singer, died on 2003-07-04. Barry Eugene White (né Carter; September 12, 1944 – July 4, 2003) was an American R&B and disco singer, songwriter, actor,…
Charles Bronson, American actor, known for american actor, died on 2003-08-30. Charles Bronson was an American actor.