June 5
June 5
Jennifer Lopez marries Marc Anthony
On June 5, 2004, some 40 guests watch as the pop star and actress Jennifer Lopez weds her third husband, the singer Marc Anthony, in an intimate ceremony held in…
A Year In History: 2004
This Year in History:
2004
Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.
June 21
June 21
First privately owned spacecraft, SS1, travels beyond the earth’s atmosphere
On June 21, 2004, SpaceShipOne becomes the first privately owned spacecraft to reach an altitude of 100 kilometers, or about 62 miles, above the earth, the generally accepted point at…
August 21
August 21
Michael Phelps wins eighth medal
On August 21, 2004, American swimmer Michael Phelps wins his eighth medal of the 2004 Athens Olympics in spite of sitting out his eighth scheduled event, the final of the…
August 29
August 29
Brazilian marathoner assaulted at Olympics
On August 29, 2004, Brazilian distance runner Vanderlei de Lima is attacked by a spectator while running the marathon, the final event of the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. At…
September 1
September 1
Chechen separatists storm Russian school
On September 1, 2004, an armed gang of Chechen separatist rebels enters a school in southern Russia and takes more than 1,000 people hostage. The rebels demanded the withdrawal of…
September 3
September 3
Russian school siege ends in bloodbath
A three‑day hostage crisis at a Russian school comes to a violent conclusion after a gun battle erupts between the hostage‑takers and Russian security forces. In the end, over 300…
September 12
September 12
First season of “Entourage”—a TV show about life in Hollywood—comes to an end
On September 12, 2004, the first season of the television comedy series “Entourage,” about a hot young actor in Hollywood and the posse of people surrounding him, comes to an…
September 13
September 13
Oprah gives away nearly 300 new cars
On September 13, 2004, TV talk‑show host Oprah Winfrey gives a brand‑new Pontiac G‑6 sedan, worth $28,500, to everyone in her studio audience: a total of 276 cars in all.)…
October 8
October 8
Kenyan environmentalist and human rights campaigner Wangari Maathai wins Nobel Peace Prize
On October 8, 2004, Kenyan environmental justice organizer Wangari Maathai receives a Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her “contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace,” becoming the first African…
October 10
October 10
Superman Christopher Reeve dies at age 52
On October 10, 2004, the actor Christopher Reeve, who became famous for his starring role in four Superman films, dies from heart failure at the age of 52 at a…
October 15
October 15
“Funeral coaches” exempted from car‑seat law
On October 15, 2004, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rules that hearse manufacturers no longer have to install anchors for child‑safety seats in their vehicles. In 1999, to prevent…
October 27
October 27
Red Sox win first championship since 1918
On October 27, 2004, the Boston Red Sox win the World Series for the first time since 1918, finally vanquishing the so‑called “Curse of the Bambino” that had plagued them…
November 9
November 9
Best‑selling Millennium trilogy author Stieg Larsson dies at 50
On November 9, 2004, Swedish writer Stieg Larsson dies suddenly of a heart attack at age 50, only months after turning in the manuscripts for three crime thrillers—“The Girl with…
November 12
November 12
Scott Peterson convicted of murder
On November 12, 2004, Scott Peterson is convicted of murdering his wife Laci and their unborn son. A jury of six men and six women delivered the verdict 23 months…
November 19
November 19
NBA players and fans brawl at infamous “Malice at the Palace” game
On November 19, 2004, Metta Sandiford‑Artest (then known as Ron Artest) of the Indiana Pacers jumps into the stands to confront a Detroit Pistons fan who throws a drink at…
November 30
November 30
“Jeopardy!” contestant’s record winning streak ends
On November 30, 2004, after winning 74 straight games and more than $2.5 million—a record for U.S. game shows—Jeopardy! contestant Ken Jennings loses. Jennings’ extended winning streak gave the game…
December 26
December 26
Tsunami devastates Indian Ocean coast
A powerful earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, on December 26, 2004 sets off a tsunami that wreaks death and devastation across the Indian Ocean coastline. The quake was…
