January 4
January 4
National Society of Film Critics honors The Pianist
The National Society of Film Critics, comprising 55 of America’s top critics, holds its 37th annual meeting at Sardi’s Restaurant in New York City on this day in 2003. The…
A Year In History: 2003
This Year in History:
2003
Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.
January 22
January 22
Hispanics are officially declared the largest minority group in the U.S.
On January 22, 2003, the U.S. Census Bureau releases detailed statistics on race and ethnicity, the first time such numbers had been released since the 2000 census. The numbers showed…
January 25
January 25
Italian auto baron Gianni Agnelli dies
On this day in 2003, Giovanni “Gianni” Agnelli, the glamorous, powerful Italian business tycoon who turned Fiat, his family’s car company, into an international conglomerate, dies at the age of…
February 1
February 1
Columbia Space Shuttle mission ends in disaster
On February 1, 2003, the space shuttle Columbia breaks up while entering the atmosphere over Texas, killing all seven crew members on board. The Columbia‘s 28th space mission, designated STS‑107,…
February 1
February 1
Bush addresses the nation after space shuttle Columbia explodes
On this day in 2003, after ordering the nation’s flags to fly at half‑staff, President George W. Bush solemnly addresses the public via live television in the wake of the…
February 5
February 5
Secretary of State Colin Powell speaks at UN, justifies US invasion of Iraq
On February 5, 2003, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell gives a speech to the United Nations that is both highly consequential and full of assertions that would be revealed…
February 15
February 15
Millions protest the impending invasion of Iraq
On February 15, 2003, millions of people across over 600 cities worldwide take to the streets to protest the impending invasion of Iraq. In New York City, approximately 200,000 people…
February 18
February 18
Arsonist sets fire in South Korean subway
On February 18, 2003, a man ignites a gasoline‑filled container inside a subway train in Daegu, South Korea. The blaze engulfed the six‑car train, before spreading to another train that…
February 20
February 20
Rhode Island nightclub burns
A fire at a rock concert in a West Warwick, Rhode Island, nightclub kills 100 people and seriously injures almost 200 more on February 20, 2003. It was the deadliest…
February 20
February 20
Fire engulfs nightclub during Great White show
The most famous contract rider in rock‑and‑roll history may be the one Van Halen used that stipulated that “There will be no brown M&M’s in the backstage area, upon pain…
March 12
March 12
Police recover Elizabeth Smart and arrest her abductors
On March 12, 2003, 15‑year‑old Elizabeth Smart is finally found in Sandy, Utah, nine months after being abducted from her family’s home. Her alleged kidnappers, Brian David Mitchell, a drifter…
March 12
March 12
The Dixie Chicks backlash begins
In response to the critical comments made about him by singer Natalie Maines in the run‑up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, President George W. Bush offered this response: “The…
March 16
March 16
Craven edges out Busch in closest NASCAR finish
On this day in 2003, race car driver Ricky Craven wins the Darlington 500, crossing the finish line .002 seconds ahead of Kurt Busch for one of the closest recorded…
March 16
March 16
23‑year‑old peace activist Rachel Corrie is crushed to death by Israeli bulldozer
An Israeli‑owned bulldozer kills 23‑year‑old American woman Rachel Corrie on March 16, 2003, as she protests a demolition campaign that destroyed over a thousand homes in the Gaza Strip. Following the…
March 19
March 19
Bush announces the launch of Operation Iraqi Freedom
On this day in 2003, President George W. Bush addresses the nation via live television and announces that Operation Iraqi Freedom has begun. Bush authorized the mission to rid Iraq…
March 19
March 19
War in Iraq begins
On March 19, 2003, the United States, along with coalition forces primarily from the United Kingdom, initiates war on Iraq. Just after explosions began to rock Baghdad, Iraq’s capital, U.S.…
April 9
April 9
Baghdad falls to U.S. forces
On April 9, 2003, just three weeks into the invasion of Iraq, U.S. forces pull down a bronze statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad’s Firdos Square, symbolizing the end of…
May 1
May 1
Record‑breaking tornado wave begins across the southern and midwestern United States
A record‑breaking wave of tornadoes begins across the southern and midwestern United States on this day in 2003. By the time the wave is over, more than 500 tornadoes are…
May 22
May 22
Golfer Annika Sörenstam becomes one of the first women to play PGA tour
On May 22, 2003, golfer Annika Sorenstam becomes the first woman to play in a PGA tour event since Babe Didrikson 58 years earlier, after receiving a sponsor’s exemption to…
May 29
May 29
Bob Hope celebrates 100th birthday
Some 35 U.S. states declare it to be Bob Hope Day on May 29, 2003, when the iconic comedic actor and entertainer turns 100 years old. In a public ceremony…
