2004 facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Millennium:	3rd millennium
Centuries:	20th century – 21st century – 22nd century
Decades:	1970s 1980s 1990s – 2000s – 2010s 2020s 2030s
Years:	2001 2002 2003 – 2004 – 2005 2006 2007

2004 (also known as MMIV in Roman numerals) was a special year because it was a leap year starting on Thursday. This means it had 366 days instead of the usual 365, with an extra day in February. It followed the Gregorian calendar, which is the calendar most of the world uses.

Important Events of 2004

January: New Beginnings and Space Exploration

On January 1, Joseph Deiss became the President of Switzerland.
On January 2, some British Airways flights from London Heathrow Airport to places like Washington, D.C. and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were cancelled because of worries about safety.
On January 3, a plane called Flash Airlines Flight 604 crashed into the Red Sea near Egypt. Sadly, everyone on board died.
Also on January 3, NASA's robot explorer, Spirit, successfully landed on Mars. This was a big step for space exploration!
On January 4, Dr. Mikheil Saakashvili won the election to become President of Georgia.
On January 5, singer Britney Spears had her very short marriage ended by a court in Las Vegas.
China confirmed on January 5 that a man in southern China had the SARS virus.
On January 6, an official investigation began in London into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
On January 12, over 100,000 people gathered in Tel Aviv to protest against their Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon's plan to leave parts of Gaza and the West Bank.
On January 13, an Uzbekistan Airways plane crashed in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and 37 people died.
On January 20, India made a big deal with Russia to buy an aircraft carrier and 28 fighter planes.
The European Union stopped poultry imports from Thailand on January 22 as bird flu spread across Southeast Asia.
On January 24, another NASA robot, Opportunity, landed on Mars. This meant two rovers were exploring the Red Planet!
On January 28, a report called the Hutton Inquiry was released in London. It looked into the death of a weapons expert and criticized the BBC's reporting.

February: Disasters and Changes

On February 1, a crowd crush during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mina, Saudi Arabia, sadly killed 251 people.
An apartment building collapsed in Konya, Turkey, on February 2, killing 92 people.
On February 3, the CIA admitted there was no immediate threat from weapons of mass destruction before the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
On February 7, Prince Charles began a tour of the Middle East, visiting troops in Iraq and earthquake zones.
On February 10, a car bomb attack near Baghdad killed at least 50 people.
The French National Assembly voted on February 10 to ban religious items and clothing from schools.
On February 12, the city of San Francisco began giving out marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Scientists in South Korea announced on February 13 that they had cloned 30 human embryos.
On February 18, a train carrying gas and other materials exploded in Iran, killing 320 people.
An earthquake in Morocco on February 24 killed 571 people.
On February 29, Jean-Bertrand Aristide resigned as president of Haiti. He later said he was forced to resign.

March: Global Events and Discoveries

On March 1, Vladimir Putin named Mikhail Fradkov as his new Prime Minister of Russia.
On March 2, NASA announced that the Mars rover Opportunity landed in an area where "liquid water once drenched the surface." This was exciting news for finding signs of past life on Mars!
Also on March 2, multiple explosions hit religious shrines in Baghdad and Karbala, Iraq, killing over 180 people.
The European Space Agency successfully launched its Rosetta space probe on March 2 to investigate a comet.
On March 5, Martha Stewart was found guilty of conspiracy and making false statements.
On March 9, new images from the Hubble Space Telescope showed the deepest view of the universe yet.
Also on March 9, Pakistan successfully tested its long-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile, the Shaheen II.
On March 11, the Spirit rover took the first picture of Earth ever made from the surface of another planet.
Also on March 11, 10 bombs exploded on Madrid commuter trains, killing at least 180 people and injuring many more. This was a terrible event in Europe.
On March 12, the parliament of South Korea voted to try and remove President Roh Moo-hyun from office.
On March 14, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero became the new Prime Minister of Spain after the general election.
Also on March 14, Vladimir Putin easily won a second term as President of Russia.
Astronomers announced the discovery of Sedna on March 15, a Pluto-like planetoid that is the most distant object known to orbit the Sun.
On March 17, riots broke out in Kosovo after three Albanian children were found drowned. This led to ethnic fighting.
On March 18, a Near-Earth asteroid called 2004 FH made the closest approach to Earth ever recorded.
On March 20, former Queen Juliana of the Netherlands passed away at age 94.
Also on March 20, on the first anniversary of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, millions of people protested against the war around the world.
On March 22, Palestinians protested after an Israeli helicopter killed Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, a leader of Hamas, in Gaza City.
On March 26, the first South Atlantic hurricane ever recorded formed off the coast of Brazil.
On March 29, Dominica changed its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to the People's Republic of China.
Also on March 29, the Republic of Ireland became the first country to ban smoking in all enclosed workplaces, including bars and restaurants.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) welcomed seven new members on March 29: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
Scientists discovered methane in the Martian atmosphere on March 29, which could mean there is life on the Red Planet.
On March 30, the White House allowed Condoleezza Rice, the president's national security advisor, to testify under oath about the September 11 attacks.

April: Hostages and Anniversaries

On April 2, a bomb found on a train line in Spain was safely removed by police.
On April 3, a bomb explosion in a Madrid flat killed five suspected terrorists linked to the March 11 bombings, and a Spanish policeman.
On April 5, Queen Elizabeth II began a visit to France to celebrate 100 years of the Entente Cordiale, a friendly agreement between the two countries.
On April 8, three Japanese citizens were taken Hostage in Iraq.
On April 16, India defeated Pakistan in a historic cricket tour, their first in 14 years.
On April 17, Israeli helicopters killed Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi, another leader of Hamas, in the Gaza Strip.
On April 20, Tony Blair announced that the United Kingdom would hold a public vote on the European constitution.
Mordechai Vanunu was released from prison in Israel on April 21 after 18 years for treason.
On April 22, two trains carrying explosives crashed in Ryongchon, North Korea, killing 161 people and injuring many more.
Also on April 22, the last coal mine in France closed, ending nearly 300 years of coal mining.
On April 25, Greek Cypriots voted against a United Nations plan to unite the island of Cyprus.

May: European Expansion and Sad News

On May 1, the European Union grew significantly, adding 10 new member countries: Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Malta, and Cyprus.
On May 6, the leader of Adjara, Aslan Abashidze, left the country, ending a political crisis there.
The final episode of the popular TV show Friends aired on NBC on May 6.
On May 9, Akhmad Kadyrov, the president of Chechnya, was killed by a landmine during a parade.
On May 11, an explosion destroyed a plastics factory in Glasgow, UK, killing nine people and injuring over a hundred.
On May 13, the Congress Party won a surprising victory in the elections in India.
On May 14, the editor of the Daily Mirror newspaper was fired after photographs showing British soldiers abusing Iraqi detainees were proven to be fake.
Also on May 14, Danish Crown Prince Frederik married Australian Mary Konadson in Copenhagen, Denmark.
On May 15, FIFA announced that South Africa would host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, making it the first African nation to do so.
On May 20, a strong earthquake hit Taiwan, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

June: A Sad Farewell

On June 5, former U.S. President Ronald Reagan passed away at the age of 93.
His state funeral was held on June 11.
On June 12, former U.S. President George H. W. Bush celebrated his 80th birthday by skydiving.

July: Space and Sports Victories

On July 1, the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft successfully arrived at Saturn.
On July 4, construction began for the Freedom Tower at Ground Zero in New York City.
Also on July 4, in a big surprise, Greece won the European Football Championships, even though they were not expected to win.

August: Global Sporting Event

From August 13 to August 29, the 2004 Summer Olympics were held in Athens, Greece.
On August 16, the village of Boscastle in Cornwall, UK, was hit by a sudden flash flood.

September: Tragedies and Nature's Power

On September 1, many schoolchildren were taken hostage at a school in Beslan, southern Russia. Sadly, many of them were killed on September 3.
On September 23, Mount St. Helens became active again.

October: Royal Changes

On October 29, King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia stepped down from his role, and his son, Norodom Sihamoni, became the new king.

November: Elections and Revolutions

On November 2, George W. Bush was reelected as President of the United States.
On November 21, the Orange Revolution began in Ukraine, a series of protests against election results.

December: Disasters and New Beginnings

On December 26, a very strong earthquake from the Indian Ocean caused a huge tsunami that killed at least 140,000 people across many countries.
Also on December 26, following the Orange Revolution, Viktor Yushchenko was elected President of Ukraine.
On December 31, the impressive Taipei 101 tower opened in Taipei, Taiwan, becoming one of the tallest buildings in the world.