The calendar reads 2003. Here is who arrived, who left, what launched, what people watched, and how the world worked.
?Wait, That Happened?
MySpace defines social networking’s loud era.
Built by employees at eUniverse, MySpace combined profiles, friends and heavy customization, becoming a formative mass-market social network.
Source: MySpace founded | Timeline of Computer History ↗†Remembered
The world said goodbye to Johnny Cash.
The Man in Black died months after his wife and musical partner June Carter Cash.
Source: Johnny Cash ↗◎World events
The Nobel Peace Prize went to Shirin Ebadi.
The committee recognized her work for democracy and human rights, especially the rights of women and children.
Source: Nobel Peace Prize 2003 ↗⌘Technology
The Human Genome Project finished early.
The international consortium announced completion on April 14, more than two years ahead of its original schedule.
Source: International Consortium Completes Human Genome Project ↗♫Music
Outkast had Album of the Year.
At the 2004 Grammy Awards, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below won Album of the Year.
Source: Album of the Year — 2004 ↗◆Movies
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King took Best Picture.
At the Academy Awards held in 2004, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King was named Best Picture.
Source: 2004 Academy Awards ceremony ↗#Population
The latest census counted 281,421,906 Americans.
The 2000 count is the nearest decennial population anchor for this capsule.
Source: 2000 Census decade portrait ↗◎White House
George W. Bush was president.
Presidential terms are pinned to inauguration and succession dates in the National Archives chronology.
Source: U.S. presidents in Census records ↗$Wallet
The federal wage floor was $5.15 an hour.
Coverage rules changed over time; this is the principal federal rate shown in the Department of Labor history.
Source: Federal minimum wage history ↗