Facts and Events That Happened in This Year
Tropical Storm Zeta formed in the open Atlantic Ocean.
Elton John and his partner David Furnish registered their civil partnership at Windsor Town Hall on the first day civil partnerships could legally be performed in England.
Brokeback Mountain film was released, directed by Ang Lee, and based on the story by Annie Proulx.
UK's Civil Partnership Act of 2004 comes into force.
The first partial facial transplant was given to Isabelle Dinoire in France after a dog attacked her.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf elected as President of Liberia.
Angela Merkel became the first female Chancellor of Germany.
The European Space Agency launched the Venus Express, the first European spacecraft to reach Venus.
RedOctane released Guitar Hero for PlayStation 2 in North America.
The fourth movie of J.K. Rowling's novel series, 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,' premiered in Leicester Square, London, UK.
Three bombs exploded in the Indian city of Delhi, killing 62 people and injuring at least 210 others.
Riots broke out in Paris, France, after two Muslim teenagers were electrocuted trying to evade police.
Sid Meier's Civilization IV was made available to PC players in North America.
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was tried for his crimes against humanity.
Stephenie Meyer's vampire novel 'Twilight' was published.
The Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published a controversial cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad.
The pilot episode of 'Supernatural,' created by Eric Kripke, aired on The WB Television Network.
Russia and China began their first-ever joint military exercise.
A mega blackout happened on Java and Bali islands in Indonesia, affecting around 100 million people.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad takes office in Iran.
Army Officers Seize Power in Mauritania.
The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) called for an end to 36 years of bloody conflict with the UK.
NASA decided to suspend space shuttle flights after analyzing the launch of mission STS-114.
American romantic-comedy Wedding Crashers premiered.
The London bombings took place.
Spain legalized same-sex marriage.
A brand new design for Freedom Tower in Manhattan, New York, was publicly revealed.
Reddit was founded in Medford, Massachusetts.
David Tennant was seen for the first time on Doctor Who.
Deep Throat reveals himself.
France voted against ratifying the proposed Constitution of the European Union.
An assassination attempt was made on President George W. Bush.
The Huffington Post was launched, founded by Arianna Huffington, Andrew Breitbart, Kenneth Lerer, and Jonah Peretti.
The Airbus A380 passenger airliner successfully underwent its maiden flight.
Syria ends its military occupation of Lebanon after 29 years.
Romania and Bulgaria signed the European Union's Treaty of Accession, the last step to joining the Union.
Joseph Ratzinger is inaugurated as Pope Benedict XVI.
The first video was uploaded to YouTube.
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected as Pope under the name Pope Benedict XVI.
NASA launched a spacecraft to rendezvous with a small communication satellite.
Prince Charles marries Camilla Parker Bowles.
Over 4 million people pay their last respects to Pope John Paul II.
NASA celebrated April Fool's Day by telling the world that they found water on Mars.
ABC debuted the first season of 'Grey's Anatomy.'
The Office, created by Ricky Gervais in the UK, aired its first US season on NBC.
The first God of War game was released for the PlayStation 2 to the North American market.
Steve Fossett completed the first around the world airplane solo non-stop journey.
The Kyoto Protocol goes into effect.
Reality documentary The Apprentice (UK) premiered with businessman Lord Alan Sugar as the leading judge.
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri is assassinated.
