2004

2004 was a leap year in the Gregorian calendar. It featured significant developments across politics, science and technology, and culture, as well as several devastating disasters.

In international politics, the European Union admitted ten new member states on May 1, expanding its footprint in Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic region. The Madrid train bombings on March 11 raised international concern about terrorism. In the United States, incumbent George W. Bush won a second term in the November presidential election, defeating John Kerry. In Russia, the Beslan school siege in September resulted in a heavy loss of life and drew widespread condemnation. The year also reflected the ongoing consequences of the Iraq War and related security debates, including the Abu Ghraib scandal. The Atlantic hurricane season produced Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne, causing extensive damage in the Caribbean and United States.

In science and technology, NASA's Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity landed on Mars in January 2004, beginning a long and productive exploration mission. In October, SpaceShipOne became the first privately funded spacecraft to reach space twice within a week, winning the Ansari X Prize. The year also marked the launch of Facebook from Harvard, a development that would transform social networking.

In culture and sport, Athens hosted the Summer Olympic Games, the first since 1896 to be held in Greece. The Boston Red Sox broke an 86-year World Series drought by defeating the St. Louis Cardinals. The year closed with the Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26, which killed hundreds of thousands and prompted a major humanitarian response.

Notable deaths in 2004 included Ronald Reagan on June 5 and Yasser Arafat on November 11.