We continue our year-by-year look back at the decade with the year 2003, back we used Gopher to check our email, back when the Chicago Cubs were only 11 years removed from their most recent World Series. Simple times.
JANUARY
Maurice Clarett scores a touchdown in double overtime to help Ohio State beat Miami in the Fiesta Bowl and win the mythical national championship. Republican choose New York City as the site for the 2004 national convention. The Miller Lite catfight commercial airs for the first time, and the Buccaneers beat the Raiders in another boring Super Bowl. "Chappelle's Show" debuts. The United States deploys 62,000 troops to the Middle East. Scientists find a winged dinosaur fossil in China. R. Kelly is arrested on child pornography charges. The Black Table launches.
FEBRUARY
Space shuttle Columbia explodes, killing all seven astronauts onboard. Saddam Hussein gives an interview to Dan Rather on "60 Minutes." Colin Powell argues the case for an invasion of Iraq to the United Nations. Phil Spector is arrested and charged with murder. A fire at a Great White concert in Rhode Island kills 100 people, including the band's guitarist. The city of New York selects Daniel Libeskind's design for the new World Trade Center building. Osama bin Laden warns of future attacks, and Donald Rumsfeld claims the broadcast is proof of a link between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda. Mr. Rogers dies. Not much happens in sports.
MARCH
Elizabeth Smart is found nine months after she was kidnapped. Kirby Puckett goes on trial for sexual assault. Chicago wins Best Picture, and Roman Polanski Best Director at the Academy Awards. The Believer magazine launches. SARS strikes Asia. Donald Rumsfeld says the Iraq war won't cost more than $60 billion. Broadway musicians strike. People magazine introduces the world to Doug Christie's wife. War in Iraq begins, with shock, and with awe.
APRIL
Michael Jordan and his Washington Wizards fail to make the NBA playoffs. Sen. Rick Santorum, when asked about gay marriage, says: "Society is based on the future of the society. And that's what? Children. Monogamous relationships. In every society, the definition of marriage has not ever to my knowledge included homosexuality. That's not to pick on homosexuality. It's not, you know, man on child, man on dog, or whatever the case may be. It is one thing. And when you destroy that you have a dramatic impact on the quality." Freshman Carmelo Anthony leads the Syracuse Orangemen to the NCAA Championship. PFC Jessica Lynch is rescued from a Iraqi hospital. Baghdad falls; the Pentagon says fighting in Iraq is "mostly complete." Roy Williams tells Bonnie Bernstein he "could give a shit about North Carolina right now." Nina Simone dies. The Des Moines Register runs photos of Iowa State coach Larry Eustachy drinking with students. "A Million Little Pieces" is released. President Bush re-appoints Alan Greenspan.
MAY
President Bush announces "Mission Accomplished" in Iraq and declares an end to combat in Afghanistan. New York Times reporter Jayson Blair resigns from the newspaper. "Moneyball" hits bookstores. Mad Cow disease is discovered in Canada. Eric Rudolph, the Atlanta Olympics bomber, is arrested in North Carolina after five years on the run. An Algerian earthquake kills more than 2,250 people. The first Democratic presidential debate features Howard Dean, John Edwards, Dick Gephardt, Bob Graham, John Kerry, Dennis Kucinich, Joe Lieberman, Carol Moseley Braun and Al Sharpton. The Matrix Reloaded disappoints everyone.
JUNE
England decides to forgo the Euro. Martha Stewart is indicted. Roger Clemens earns his 300th win and 4,000th strikeout, in the same game. Gregory Peck, Strom Thurmond and Katherine Hepburn die. Hillary Clinton's book "Living History" is released. U.S. authorities foil a plot to blow up the Brooklyn Bridge. The San Antonio Spurs beat the New Jersey Nets to win the NBA championship. The "Do Not Call" national registry is created.
JULY
John Abizaid, commander of allied forces in Iraq, warns soldiers than they'll be deployed for yearlong tours. Robert Novak reveals Valerie Plame's identity in a column. Baylor basketball player Patrick Dennehy is shot and killed by former teammate Carlton Dotson. Mike Ditka signs up as a spokesperson for Levitra. Saddam Hussein's sons are killed. Kobe Bryant is arrested and charged with rape in Colorado. Barry White and Bob Hope die. "Queer Eye For The Straight Guy" debuts.
AUGUST
Several millions, including residents of New York City, suffer from a massive blackout. The blaster worm attacks computers. Baylor coach Dave Bliss tells his players to lie to investigators and claim the late Patrick Dennehy was selling drugs to pay his tuition. "Sex, Drugs & Cocoa Puffs" by Chuck Klosterman is released. Lance Armstrong wins his fifth straight Tour de France. Charles Bronson dies. Michael Vick fractures his fibula in a preseason game. Chemical Ali is found. Bill Parcells comes out of retirement to coach the Dallas Cowboys. The slate of candidates for the California governor's recall is locked in and includes Arianna Huffington, Gary Coleman, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Larry Flynt, porn star Mary Carey and Gallagher. Mitch Albom's "Five People You Meet In Heaven" is released.
SEPTEMBER
Gen. Wesley Clark enters the Presidential race. Hurricane Isabel hits. "Hey Ya" makes white people dance. Shane Mosley defeats Oscar de la Hoya. President Bush asks Congress for $87 billion to aid the fight in Iraq. John Ritter, Johnny Cash, Leni Riefenstahl and George Plimpton die. Britney Spears and Madonna kiss at the MTV Video Music Awards.
OCTOBER
Bartman. Rush Limbaugh admits an addiction to Oxycontin on his radio show and goes into rehab. David Kay says there are no WMDs in Iraq. Bartman. The last Concorde flight lands. Arnold Schwarzenegger wins the recall to become governor of California. Aaron Boone homers to win the American League Championship Series, but the Florida Marlins beat the Yankees in the World Series. Elliott Smith dies of two stab wounds to the chest. Bartman. The DC sniper trial begins. LeBron james scores 25 points in his first game, a 106-92 loss to Sacramento. Wildfires spread through California. Bartman.
NOVEMBER
President Bush signs a bill banning partial birth abortion. Michael Jackson is booked on suspicion of child molestation. The NFL Network launches, though probably not in your house. The DC sniper suspects are found guilty. The Massachusetts Supreme Court rules in favor of gay marriage. "Arrested Development" debuts.
DECEMBER
Al Gore endorses Howard Dean for President. An earthquake in Iran kills 30,000 people. Suicide bombers blow up a commuter train in Moscow, killing 50. "Life As A Loser," by Will Leitch, is released. The morning after pill is approved by the FDA. Sen. Paul Simon dies. They got Saddam.