Editing 2003

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Events by month|2003|prefix=Portal:Current events/}}
[[File:2003_Events_Collage_V2.3.jpg|From top left, clockwise: the crew of [[STS-107]] perished when the [[Space Shuttle Columbia|Space Shuttle ''Columbia'']] [[Space Shuttle Columbia disaster|disintegrated]] during [[reentry]] into [[Atmosphere of Earth|Earth's atmosphere]]; [[SARS]] became an [[2002–2004 SARS outbreak|epidemic]] in [[China]], and was a precursor to [[SARS-CoV-2]]; [[Myspace]] launches becoming one of the first major social media platforms; [[Protests against the Iraq War|protests]] in [[London]] against the [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]]; a drained river in France during the [[2003 European heatwave|European heatwave]]; an [[2003 Bam earthquake|earthquake]] in [[Bam, Iran]]  kills 30,000 people; [[Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse|abuse and torture]] of [[Iraq]]i prisoners at [[Abu Ghraib prison]] by U.S. personnel; a statue of [[Saddam Hussein]] is [[Firdos Square statue destruction|toppled]] in Baghdad after his regime was deposed during the [[Iraq War]].|300x300px|thumb|right]]
{{Year nav|2003}}
{{C21 year in topic}}
{{Year article header|2003}}

2003 was designated by the [[United Nations]] as the International Year of [[Fresh water|Freshwater]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=A/RES/55/196 - International Year of Freshwater - UN Documents: Gathering a body of global agreements|url=http://www.un-documents.net/a55r196.htm#:~:text=Proclaims%20the%20year%202003%20as,2.|access-date=2020-09-07|website=www.un-documents.net|archive-date=March 17, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070317204416/http://www.un-documents.net/a55r196.htm#:~:text=Proclaims%20the%20year%202003%20as,2.|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2003, a [[Multi-National Force – Iraq|United States-led coalition]] [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invaded Iraq]], starting the [[Iraq War]].

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== Demographics ==
The [[world population]] on January 1, 2003, was estimated to be 6.272&nbsp;billion people and increased to 6.353&nbsp;billion people by January 1, 2004.<ref name="UN Pop Prospects-2022">{{Cite report |url=https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/MostUsed/ |title=World Population Prospects 2022 |date=2022 |publisher=United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs |access-date=October 6, 2023 |archive-date=July 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711213112/https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/MostUsed/ |url-status=live }}</ref> An estimated 134.0&nbsp;million births and 52.5&nbsp;million deaths took place in 2003.<ref name="UN Pop Prospects-2022" /> The average global [[life expectancy]] was 67.1 years, an increase of 0.3 years from 2002.<ref name="UN Pop Prospects-2022" /> The rate of [[child mortality]] was 6.85%, a decrease of 0.27[[Percentage point|pp]] from 2002.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Roser |first1=Max |author1-link=Max Roser |last2=Ritchie |first2=Hannah |author2-link=Hannah Ritchie |last3=Dadonaite |first3=Bernadeta |date=May 10, 2013 |title=Child and Infant Mortality |url=https://ourworldindata.org/child-mortality |journal=Our World in Data |access-date=October 6, 2023 |archive-date=December 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216051011/https://ourworldindata.org/child-mortality |url-status=live }}</ref> 25.54% of people were living in [[extreme poverty]], a decrease of 1.31pp from 2002.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hasell |first1=Joe |last2=Roser |first2=Max |last3=Ortiz-Ospina |first3=Esteban |last4=Arrigada |first4=Pablo |date=October 17, 2022 |title=Poverty |url=https://ourworldindata.org/poverty |journal=Our World in Data |access-date=October 6, 2023 |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072344/https://ourworldindata.org/poverty |url-status=live }}</ref>

There were approximately 10.6&nbsp;million global refugees at the beginning of 2003, and the number was reduced to 9.7&nbsp;million refugees by the end of the year.<ref name=":2">{{Cite report |url=https://www.unhcr.org/statistics/unhcrstats/40d015fb4/2003-global-refugee-trends-overview-refugee-populations-new-arrivals-durable.html |title=2003 Global Refugee Trends |date=15 June 2004 |publisher=[[UNHCR]] |access-date=October 6, 2023 |archive-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012033657/https://www.unhcr.org/statistics/unhcrstats/40d015fb4/2003-global-refugee-trends-overview-refugee-populations-new-arrivals-durable.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Afghanistan was the largest source of refugees, with a total of 2.1&nbsp;million at the end of the year.<ref name=":2" />

== Conflicts ==
{{Further|Category:Conflicts in 2003}}
There were 29 armed conflicts affecting 22 countries in 2003. This was a net decrease from 31 conflicts in 2002.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last1=Eriksson |first1=Mikael |last2=Wallensteen |first2=Peter |date=2004 |title=Armed Conflict, 1989–2003 |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0022343304047568 |journal=Journal of Peace Research |language=en |volume=41 |issue=5 |pages=625–636 |doi=10.1177/0022343304047568 |s2cid=111915843 |issn=0022-3433 |access-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014060453/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0022343304047568 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref>{{Rp|page=625}} The deadliest conflicts were in Iraq, [[Kashmir]], Liberia, Nepal, and Sudan.<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|page=627}}

=== Internal conflicts ===
The [[Colombian conflict]] against two Marxist militant groups—the [[Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia]] and the [[National Liberation Army (Colombia)|National Liberation Army]]—escalated in 2003.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last1=Dwan |first1=Renata |title=SIPRI Yearbook 2004: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security |last2=Gustavsson |first2=Micaela |publisher=[[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]] |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-19-926570-1 |pages=95–131 |language=en |chapter=Major armed conflicts |chapter-url=https://www.sipri.org/yearbook/2003/02 |access-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328204444/https://www.sipri.org/yearbook/2003/02 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Rp|page=101}} The government negotiated an agreement for the right-wing militant group [[United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia]] to disband as a means to deescalate the conflict.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=102}}

The [[First Ivorian Civil War]] was halted in 2003 amid a ceasefire while France and the states of [[ECOWAS]] intervened. Peace talks fell apart on March 7 until the ceasefire was restored on May 3, only to be broken again on September 23. The war was left in a frozen state at the end of 2003 with rebels controlling parts of the country.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|pages=115–116}} The [[Second Liberian Civil War]] against [[Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy]] escalated when the [[Movement for Democracy in Liberia]] split off as its own faction.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=116}} President [[Charles Taylor (Liberian politician)|Charles Taylor]] resigned on August 2, allowing a peace agreement to take place on August 18.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=118}}

The Indonesian [[insurgency in Aceh]] escalated when a demilitarization agreement failed and the government renewed its offensive in May.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=126}} The [[Moro conflict]] in the Philippines deescalated when the Philippine government agreed to peace talks with the [[Moro Islamic Liberation Front]] in July, though conflicts with other groups continued.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=129}}

The [[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]] continued in 2003 as peace talks failed, and long-running civil wars [[Burundian Civil War|in Burundi]] and [[Lord's Resistance Army insurgency|in Uganda]] both escalated.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|pages=107–112}} The [[Second Sudanese Civil War]] escalated as new militant groups joined the conflict,<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|page=628}} though a security agreement was reached between the [[National Islamic Front]] and the [[Sudan People's Liberation Movement]] on September 25.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=119}} The [[Second Chechen War]] continued in Russia: the Russian government held a referendum for a new Chechen constitution and offered amnesty for Chechen rebels, but terror attacks continued.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=125}}

=== International conflicts ===
Only two inter-state conflicts took place in 2003: the [[Iraq War]] and the [[Kashmir conflict]]. The Kashmir conflict saw progress toward resolution in 2003 as negotiations began and a ceasefire took effect on November 23.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=95}} A coalition of countries led by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia led an [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]] beginning on March 20, warning that Iraq had been [[Iraq and weapons of mass destruction|operating a program]] to develop [[weapons of mass destruction]]. The subsequent Iraq War became the most publicized conflict in 2003.<ref name=":4" />{{Rp|pages=627–628}} The coalition quickly defeated the [[Iraqi Armed Forces]], and American president [[George W. Bush]] gave [[Mission Accomplished speech|a speech on May 1]] declaring victory in the war.<ref name=":162">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/annualregisterof0000unse_s9x7/ |title=The Annual Register 2003 |publisher=Keesing's Worldwide |year=2003 |isbn=1-886994-47-1 |editor-last=Lewis |editor-first=D. S. |volume=245}}</ref>{{Rp|page=2}} The subsequent [[Iraqi insurgency (2003–2011)|Iraqi insurgency]] proved more deadly than the invasion by the end of the year. By this time, doubts were raised about whether Iraq had been developing the weapons of which it was accused.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=3}}

[[Al-Qaeda]] remained active, launching suicide bombings in Afghanistan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. On September 10, its leaders [[Osama bin Laden]] and [[Ayman al-Zawahiri]] released their first video statement since 2001, celebrating the [[September 11 attacks]]. Al-Qaeda figures [[Khalid Sheikh Mohammed]] and [[Riduan Isamuddin]] were captured in March and August, respectively.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=74}}

The [[Second Intifada]] continued into 2003 as conflict between Israel and Palestine killed 400 people in suicide bombings by Palestinians and military strikes by the [[Israel Defense Forces]].<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=104}} Israel constructed the [[West Bank barrier]], which it described as a measure to prevent suicide bombings and Palestine described as a measure to impose segregation.<ref name=":15">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/timeannual200400newy/ |title=Time Annual 2004 |publisher=Time Books |year=2004 |isbn=1-931933-89-8 |editor-last=Knauer |editor-first=Kelly |issn=1097-5721}}</ref>{{Rp|page=76}}

== Culture ==

=== Art and architecture ===
The most widely publicized art exhibition in 2003 was the 50th [[Venice Biennale]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=157}} The most popular exhibitions were for [[Leonardo da Vinci]] and [[Thomas Struth]], both held at the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]] where they attracted thousands of visitors each day.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=525}} The "Rembrandt's Journey" collected various [[Rembrandt]] works, including etchings and drawings, at the [[Museum of Fine Arts, Boston]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=159}} The ''[[7000 Years of Persian Art]]'' tour took place as a rare international collaboration from the [[National Museum of Iran]].<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=525}} [[Descent into Limbo (Mantegna)|''Descent into Limbo'']] by [[Andrea Mantegna]] was the most prominent [[Old Master]] artwork to be sold in 2003, going for US$28.6 million.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=526}} [[Street photography]] made a return in the art community, and the [[International Center of Photography]] held an exhibition on the subject.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=160}}

The [[Amber Room]] of [[Catherine Palace]], which existed from 1717 to 1945, finished reconstruction in 2003. The [[Albertina]] art museum in Vienna reopened, and the [[Asian Civilisations Museum]] was established in Singapore.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=525}} The government of the Netherlands began returning items from its collection of works it acquired from [[Nazi Germany]], the [[Nederlands Kunstbezit-collectie]].<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=526}}

Plans to replace the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]] remained a focus of the architecture world in 2003. Architects [[David Childs]] and [[Daniel Libeskind]] were placed in charge of the project. An inquiry was opened into the ongoing construction of the [[Scottish Parliament Building]] when its expected cost increased tenfold.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=527}} The [[Walt Disney Concert Hall]] opened in Los Angeles to positive reception after sixteen years of development.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=153}} [[The Gherkin]] finished construction in London and the [[Silodam]] housing complex opened in Amsterdam.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=154}} Construction of the new [[Olympic Stadium of Athens]] went slower than expected, causing concern that Athens would not be ready to host the [[2004 Summer Olympics]].<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=528}}

Museums and libraries were looted during riots in [[Baghdad]] following the invasion of Iraq.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=2}} About 10,000 items were taken from the [[Iraq Museum]], though many were returned by the end of the year, and several items were taken from the [[Mosul Museum]]. The [[Iraq National Library and Archive]] was burned down, destroying 500,000 books and 12 million Ottoman documents. The lost treasure of [[Tillya Tepe]] was found in Saddam Hussein's position.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=524}}

=== Media ===
{{Main|2003 in film|2003 in music|2003 in video games}}

The highest-grossing films globally in 2003 were ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'', ''[[Finding Nemo]]'', and ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]''. The highest-grossing non-English film was ''[[Bayside Shakedown 2]]'' (Japanese), the 39th highest-grossing film of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2003 Worldwide Box Office |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2003/ |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113213708/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2003/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Critically acclaimed films from 2003 include ''Finding Nemo'',<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Ebert |first=Roger |title=Best 10 Movies of 2003 {{!}} Roger Ebert {{!}} Roger Ebert |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/roger-ebert/best-10-movies-of-2003 |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=rogerebert.com |date=December 19, 2012 |language=en |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014060452/https://www.rogerebert.com/roger-ebert/best-10-movies-of-2003 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=A. O. |date=2003-12-28 |title=FILM: THE HIGHS; The Movies of the Year |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/28/movies/film-the-highs-the-movies-of-the-year-687170.html |access-date=2023-10-12 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014060451/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/28/movies/film-the-highs-the-movies-of-the-year-687170.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=The 21st Century's 100 greatest films |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20160819-the-21st-centurys-100-greatest-films |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=BBC |date=August 23, 2016 |language=en |archive-date=August 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817230650/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20160819-the-21st-centurys-100-greatest-films |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=French |first=Philip |date=2003-12-28 |title=Ring in the new |language=en-GB |work=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/dec/28/2003inreview.features |access-date=2023-10-12 |issn=0029-7712 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014060452/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/dec/28/2003inreview.features |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Lost in Translation (film)|Lost in Translation]]'',<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=2004-01-14 |title=The Year In Film: 2003 |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-year-in-film-2003-1798208331 |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014060451/https://www.avclub.com/the-year-in-film-2003-1798208331 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World|''Master and Commander'']].<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":8" />

Music sales in 2003 amounted to about 2.7 billion units, a decline of 6.5% from 2002. [[DVD]] music video thrived in 2003 at the expense of singles and [[Cassette tape|cassettes]].<ref>{{Cite report |url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/worldsales2003.pdf |title=The Recording Industry World Sales |date=2004 |publisher=[[IFPI]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731044902/http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/worldsales2003.pdf |archive-date=2012-07-31}}</ref> CD sales overall saw a large decline in favor of internet downloads.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=162}} Globally, the best-selling albums of the year were ''[[Come Away with Me]]'' by [[Norah Jones]], ''[[Get Rich or Die Tryin']]'' by [[50 Cent]], and [[Meteora (album)|''Meteora'']] by [[Linkin Park]]. No non-English albums were among the global top fifty albums sold in 2003.<ref name="ifpi">{{Cite web |title=2000-2005 Top 50 Albums [XLS] |url=https://www.ifpi.org/content/library/top-5-albums-2000-2005.xls |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323114337/http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/top-5-albums-2000-2005.xls |archive-date=2012-03-23 |website=[[IFPI]]}}</ref>

When decentralized [[peer-to-peer file sharing]] replaced the centralized platform [[Napster]] as a means to [[Music piracy|pirate music]], the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] began directing legal action against individual users who uploaded pirated songs rather than the platforms themselves, filing a total of 382 lawsuits.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=483}} The [[iTunes Store]] launched on April 28 and was immediately successful, selling over 10 million songs over the next four months.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=87}} This was touted as a possible solution to music piracy.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=483}}

The [[GameCube]], [[PlayStation 2]], and [[Xbox]] remained the most popular video game consoles, although the GameCube faced poor sales. [[Nokia]] introduced the [[N-Gage]], which functioned as both a phone and a [[handheld game console]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=168}}

The popularity of the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' franchise meant that the publication of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' was the largest literary event in 2003, with the book itself becoming one of the longest children's books ever published at 768 pages.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=529}}

Composer [[Sergei Prokofiev]] was honored in many performances throughout the world for the 50th anniversary of his death.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=507}} Ballet dancer [[Rudolf Nureyev]] was similarly honored in Europe for the 10th anniversary of his death.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=510}} The opera industry was negatively affected by a decline in tourism and other economic factors in Europe and North America, and many productions were canceled.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=505}}

Through the internet, [[flash mobs]] developed as a social trend in 2003.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=168}}

=== Sports ===
{{Main|2003 in sports}}
The [[England national rugby union team]] won the [[2003 Rugby World Cup]], making them the first [[Northern Hemisphere]] team to do so.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=534}} Australia won the [[2003 Cricket World Cup]], coming out victorious in every match they played, while Kenya had upset victories that took them to the semi-finals.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=535}} In tennis, players [[Roger Federer]], [[Andy Roddick]], and [[Juan Carlos Ferrero]] won their first [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slams]] in 2003,<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |title=2003 World Sports Highlights |url=https://www.topendsports.com/world/timeline/2003.htm |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Top End Sports |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014060453/https://www.topendsports.com/world/timeline/2003.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=538}} while [[Martina Navratilova]] tied with the record of twenty [[Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] titles set by [[Billie Jean King]].<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=539}} [[Lennox Lewis]] successfully [[Lennox Lewis vs. Vitali Klitschko|defended his status]] as the [[heavyweight boxing champion]] against [[Vitali Klitschko]].<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=540}}

The transfer of footballer [[David Beckham]] from [[Manchester United F.C.]] to [[Real Madrid CF]] for £17.25 million was widely publicized. The [[UEFA Euro 2004]] qualifications took place in 2003, where Turkey's defeat in a game against Latvia came as an upset after Turkey had been semi-finalists in the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]].<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=533}} Other major upsets took place in golf when [[Ben Curtis (golfer)|Ben Curtis]] defeated some of the sport's top players in his first major competition at the [[2003 Open Championship]],<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=539}} and in [[Major League Baseball]] when the [[Florida Marlins]] defeated the [[New York Yankees]] in the [[2003 World Series]].<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=541}}

The [[2003 World Championships in Athletics]] saw [[Hicham El Guerrouj]] become the fourth man to win four successive world track titles and [[Carolina Klüft]] become the first woman in seven years to score more than 7,000 points in the [[heptathlon]]. Athletics was plagued with the discovery of [[Tetrahydrogestrinone|THG]] steroids, which the United States accused the [[Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative]] of providing to athletes.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=537}} [[Michael Schumacher]] remained the dominant driver in the [[2003 Formula One World Championship]], winning 11 of 17 races and claiming his sixth championship.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=539}} [[Lance Armstrong]] won the [[2003 Tour de France]], giving him his fifth victory.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=540}}

== Economy ==
The global economy was weak in the first half of 2003 as uncertainty arose from Middle Eastern conflict, the spread of [[SARS]], and major corporate scandals in 2002.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=9}} It improved in the second half of the year as it recovered from the [[early 2000s recession]], brought about by low [[interest rates]] and [[expansionary fiscal policy]]. The United States led the recovery, while China and Japan also made significant contributions. The economic situation improved in Latin America and Africa, while Western Europe saw slower recovery.<ref name=":9" /> The [[Eurozone]] had a GDP low growth of 0.5%.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=12}} Argentina emerged from [[1998–2002 Argentine great depression|its economic crisis]] after four years, reaching the year's highest GDP in the Western Hemisphere with 7% growth.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=11}}

The [[gross world product]] increased by 2.5% in 2003, and [[international trade]] increased by 4.75%. The prices of non-fuel commodities, such as metal, minerals, and agricultural materials, increased during the year.<ref name=":9">{{Cite report |url=https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/world-economic-situation-and-prospects-2004/ |title=World Economic Situation and Prospects 2004 |date=2004-01-08 |publisher=United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs |page=1 |isbn=978-92-1-109146-5 |access-date=October 26, 2023 |archive-date=November 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128023925/https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/world-economic-situation-and-prospects-2004/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The price of gold rose following conflict in the Middle East.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=1}} The Italian food company [[Parmalat]] and the Dutch supermarket company [[Ahold]] were the subjects of major corporate scandals in 2003.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=12}} These were among a series of corporate corruption scandals over the previous years that led the United States and a coalition of European countries to reform their policies on the matter.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=15}}

== Environment and weather ==
{{Main|2003 in the environment}}
{{See also|List of earthquakes in 2003|Tropical cyclones in 2003}}2003 tied with [[2002]] as the second hottest year on record, behind only [[1998]]. The year began during an [[El Niño]] period that continued until April. [[2003 European heatwave|A major heatwave]] occurred in Europe during the summer, causing approximately 70,000 deaths, 14,000 in France alone. Severe cold weather affected Asia, North America, and Peru. 2003 saw low precipitation, causing droughts in Australia, the United States, and Zimbabwe. The previous year's droughts in Asia were alleviated by heavy precipitation in the region.<ref name=":11">{{Cite report |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global/200313 |title=Annual 2003 Global Climate Report |date=2004 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=2023-10-26 |archive-date=October 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026144252/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/global/200313 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Several reports were published in 2003 forecasting severe negative effects of [[global warming]]. The [[Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]] determined that approximately one million species risked extinction if no preventative measures were implemented, and the [[World Wide Fund for Nature]] determined that the fresh water access of 7 billion people would be at risk by 2050 because of global warming and other causes.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=485}} Reports also warned about the potential destruction of the [[Amazon rainforest]] and provided evidence that widespread destruction of coral was taking place. The 3000-year-old Arctic [[Ward Hunt Ice Shelf]] split in September, draining the lake that it had held in place, though global warming was not the primary factor in its destruction. The oil company [[BP]] was the subject of scrutiny when one of its well-heads exploded in Alaska.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=487}} The sinking of [[Soviet submarine K-159]] caused worries about leakage of its spent nuclear fuel, but no such leakage was found.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=83}}

Major earthquakes in 2003 included [[2003 Boumerdès earthquake|a magnitude 6.8 earthquake]] in Algeria on May 21 that killed over 2,200 people and [[2003 Bam earthquake|a magnitude 6.6 earthquake]] in Iran on December 26 that killed about 50,000 people.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=Timeline: World's deadliest earthquakes since 2000 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/6/the-worlds-deadliest-earthquakes-since-2000 |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005031552/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/6/the-worlds-deadliest-earthquakes-since-2000 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[2003 Atlantic hurricane season]] was above average in activity, including sixteen [[Tropical cyclone naming|named storms]] of which seven were hurricanes. The most severe hurricanes were [[Hurricane Fabian]], [[Hurricane Isabel]], and [[Hurricane Kate (2003)|Hurricane Kate]]. [[Tropical Storm Ana (2003)|Tropical Storm Ana]] was the first recorded North Atlantic tropical storm to occur in April, and 2003 was the first year since 1887 to have two tropical storms occur in December.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal |last1=Lawrence |first1=Miles B. |last2=Avila |first2=Lixion A. |last3=Beven |first3=John L. |last4=Franklin |first4=James L. |last5=Pasch |first5=Richard J. |last6=Stewart |first6=Stacy R. |date=2005-06-01 |title=Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2003 |journal=Monthly Weather Review |language=en |volume=133 |issue=6 |pages=1744–1745 |doi=10.1175/MWR2940.1 |bibcode=2005MWRv..133.1744L |issn=1520-0493|doi-access=free }}</ref> The [[2003 Pacific typhoon season]] was slightly more intense than average, though the overall number of tropical storms was below average with 23 total storms. The most destructive typhoons were [[Typhoon Dujuan (2003)|Typhoon Dujuan]], which made landfall in [[Guangdong]], China, on September 2, and [[Typhoon Maemi]], which made landfall in South Korea on September 12.<ref name="TSR2001Summ">{{cite web |last1=Saunders |first1=Mark |last2=Lea |first2=Adam |date=2004-01-12 |title=Summary of 2002 NW Pacific Typhoon Season and Verification of Authors' Seasonal Forecasts |url=https://www.tropicalstormrisk.com/docs/TSRNWP2002Verification.pdf |website=Tropical Storm Risk |publisher=University College London |access-date=October 31, 2023 |archive-date=July 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703084025/http://tropicalstormrisk.com/docs/TSRNWP2002Verification.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

International agreements about the environment that came into force included the [[Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety]] on September 11, the [[Aarhus Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants]] on October 23, the [[Protocol on Heavy Metals]] on December 29.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=493}}

Construction began on [[MOSE]], a set of sea gates in [[Venice]] designed to prevent the city's perpetual flooding.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=78}} China began use of the [[Three Gorges Dam]] along the [[Yangtze]].<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=488}} The overthrow of Saddam Hussein in Iraq ended his project to construct a dam that would have flooded the ruins of [[Assur]].<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=524}}

== Health ==
{{Further|Category:2003 in health}}
The [[World Health Organization]] set "shaping the future" as its health focus for 2003, seeking to improve health systems and [[primary health care]] for the poor.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Walt |first=G. |date=2004-01-03 |title=WHO's World Health Report 2003 |journal=BMJ |language=en |volume=328 |issue=7430 |pages=6 |doi=10.1136/bmj.328.7430.6 |issn=0959-8138 |pmc=313882 |pmid=14703524}}</ref> It adopted its first international agreement, the [[WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control]].<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=493}} Global food production increased from 2002 but fell short of the amount produced in 2001. Much of southern Africa was dependent on [[food aid]] early in the year following drought-related crop failures in 2002.<ref name=":52">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/britannicabookof0000keta/ |title=Britannica Book of the Year 2004 |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |year=2004 |isbn=1-59339-100-5 |editor-last=Sparks |editor-first=Karen Jacobs}}</ref>{{Rp|page=146}}

[[SARS]] became a major health concern by April following the spread of [[SARS-CoV-1]].<ref name=":13" /> Fearing a pandemic, the [[World Health Organization]] issued a recommendation to avoid non-essential travel to [[Guangdong]] and [[Hong Kong]].<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=137}} The spread ended with fewer than 800 deaths.<ref name=":13" /> Cases of [[monkeypox]] occurred in the Western Hemisphere for the first time when 28 prairie dogs infected with the [[monkeypox virus]] were imported to Wisconsin.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=140}} [[Avian influenza]] spread to poultry in Europe, and a [[Global spread of H5N1|human case]] was diagnosed in Hong Kong, leading to the patient's death. Two instances of [[bovine spongiform encephalopathy]] was diagnosed in cows in Canada and the United States.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=147}}

Several treatments for cancer were tested or approved in 2003, including [[Avastin]], [[Erbitux]], [[Genasense]], and [[Velcade]], with mixed results. Developments in [[HIV/AIDS]] prevention included the unsuccessful [[AIDSVAX]] vaccine by [[VaxGen]] and the beginning of trials for [[enfuvirtide]].<ref name=":13" /> The [[RTS,S]] malaria vaccine began trials for children in Mozambique after it was shown to be safe for adults in several nations, while human trials began in the United States for an Ebola vaccine.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=480}}

Several studies were published in 2003 warning of health effects for [[hormone replacement therapy]] in [[postmenopausal]] women, causing fear around the procedure. Analysis of retroviral [[gene therapy]] for [[severe combined immunodeficiency]] found that its life-threatening side effects were caused by the retrovirus affecting the [[LMO2]] gene. Study of [[bone marrow]] cells cast doubt on [[cellular differentiation]] in [[stem-cell therapy]], moving focus toward [[cell fusion]].<ref name=":13">{{Cite journal |date=2004 |title=2003: The good, the bad and the unexpected |journal=Nature Medicine |volume=10 |issue=1 |page=8 |doi=10.1038/nm0104-8 |issn=1078-8956 |pmc=7095928}}</ref>

== Politics and law ==
[[World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference of 2003|A conference]] held by the [[World Trade Organization]] in September resulted in a dispute between nations that cast doubts on whether the agreements of the [[Doha Development Round]] were sustainable.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=14}} Developing nations alleged that their input was being excluded by Western powers.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=147}} The use of farming subsidies, particularly by Europe, Japan, and the United States, was challenged here because of their effect on developing nations. This dispute led to the creation of the G-21 (later the [[G20 developing nations]]).<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=485}}

Ten European countries signed accession agreements in April that would make them members of the European Union in May 2004.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=12}} Several free trade areas were proposed or negotiated in 2003, including separate zones for the [[Andean Community]], [[ASEAN]], Central America, the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]], the [[Southern Cone Common Market]], the [[South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation]],<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=14}} and the Western Hemisphere's [[Free Trade Area of the Americas]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=147}} Some of these were conditional on political reform and democratization.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=14}}

Liberian president [[Charles Taylor (Liberian politician)|Charles Taylor]] fled the country on August 1 and was replaced by [[Gyude Bryant]], a compromise between the different factions of the Liberian Civil War, on October 14.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=80}}

North Korea became the first nation to withdraw from the [[Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty]], and on February 6 it announced the restoration of [[North Korea and weapons of mass destruction|its nuclear weapons program]]. Several nations engaged in tenuous negotiations with North Korea throughout the year, but no agreements were made.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=81}} Iran announced its own nuclear program in violation of its agreement with the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]], disclosing this as an attempt to avoid sanctions.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=83}}

[[Hong Kong 1 July marches|A series of protests]] took place in [[Hong Kong]] following the implementation of laws by China that limited the rights of the Hongkongers.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=82}}

Russian businessman [[Mikhail Khodorkovsky]] was arrested on October 27 in what was seen internationally as political persecution by the government to exercise control over [[Russian oligarchs]].<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=82}}

The leader of Libya, [[Muammar Gaddafi]], admitted fault in the 1988 downing of [[Pan Am Flight 103]] and offered reparations to the victims' family members, prompting the United States to petition for the removal of international sanctions against Libya.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=82}} He also agreed to end any plans for a nuclear weapons program in Libya as scrutiny of nuclear programs around the world increased.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=6}}

Serbian prime minister [[Zoran Đinđić]] was assassinated on March 12, prompting a crackdown on a criminal organization that supported former dictator [[Slobodan Milošević]], whom Đinđić had ousted.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=82}}

The secular [[Shinui]] party gained influence in Israel following a public debate on the role of Judaism in Israeli politics.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=473}}

=== International law ===
The American-led invasion of Iraq dominated discourse around international law and sparked debate about when such actions are justified. Military intervention was supported by countries such as Australia, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, and much of Eastern Europe, while its strongest opponents included China, France, Germany, and Russia. The United States argued that it was legally authorized under [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 678]] (1990), as well as [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 687|Resolution 687]] (1991) and [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441|Resolution 1441]] (2002). This was challenged on the basis that Resolution 678 could no longer be assumed to apply and that the Security Council had not affirmed Iraq was in violation of its order.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=491}} The Iraqi president [[Saddam Hussein]] went into hiding as the invasion took place, but he was discovered and arrested six months later.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=4}}

The [[International Court of Justice]] (ICJ) accepted two new cases in 2003: [[Pedra Branca dispute|a border dispute case]] between Malaysia and Singapore and [[Avena case|a dispute]] over the United States' application of the death penalty against Mexican nationals. It declined to impose any provisional measures in an ongoing case regarding France's claim of universal criminal jurisdiction. The [[United Nations General Assembly]] requested an [[advisory opinion]] from the ICJ regarding the construction of the [[West Bank barrier]] by Israel. A case filed by Libya against the United Kingdom and the United States regarding the 1988 downing of Pan Am Flight 103 was settled outside of court.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=491}} The ICJ ruled in the [[Oil Platforms case|''Oil Platforms'' case]] that American force was not justified in [[Operation Nimble Archer|the 1987 attacks]] on Iranian oil platforms but that it had not broken the [[Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations and Consular Rights|1955 treaty]] as Iran alleged. It rejected appeals of a 1992 border dispute between El Salvador and Honduras and a 1996 decision that the ICJ had jurisdiction in Yugoslavia at the time.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=492}}

The [[International Criminal Court]] was inaugurated in March, and the UN Security Council granted the United States a one-year extension of its exemption for American UN Peacekeepers.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=494}}

The UN Security Council determined that two separate prosecutors should be appointed for the criminal tribunals [[International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda|for Rwanda]] and [[International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia|for Yugoslavia]] instead of keeping them under a single prosecutor. The tribunal for Rwanda confirmed the conviction of [[Georges Rutaganda]], and it convicted [[Elizaphan Ntakirutimana]] as the first of several clerics it was prosecuting. It also sentenced several journalists to prison for their role in the [[Rwandan genocide]], marking the first conviction of [[crimes against humanity]] for journalists since the [[Nuremberg trials]].<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=494}} The tribunal for Yugoslavia sentenced [[Biljana Plavšić]] to 11 years in prison and [[Milomir Stakić]] to 20 years for crimes against humanity, while [[Stanislav Galić]] was convicted of terrorism for attacks on civilians in the [[Siege of Sarajevo]]. Terms for the creation of a [[Khmer Rouge Tribunal]] in Cambodia were agreed on in June.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=495}}

The [[Migrant Workers Convention]] came into effect on July 1. The [[United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime]], the first UN measure on the issue, came into force on September 29. The [[United Nations Convention Against Corruption]] opened for signing on December 9.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=493}}

== Religion ==
A week of celebrations were held in [[Vatican City]] for the 25th anniversary of [[October 1978 papal conclave|the election]] of [[Pope John Paul II]]. The events included the [[beatification]] of [[Mother Teresa]].<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=98}} John Paul II became the first pope to enter a mosque when he visited the [[Umayyad Mosque]] in [[Damascus]] on May 6. The church's [[Catholic Church sexual abuse cases|sexual abuse scandals]] continued into 2003.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=471}}

The [[Anglican Communion]] was embroiled in debate about its stance on homosexuality when the liberal archbishop [[Rowan Williams]] was made [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] on February 27 and expressed interest in reforming the policy against it. [[Jeffrey John]] was nominated as [[Bishop of Reading]] in May, but his relationship with a man caused controversy and prompted him to decline. A similar debate took place regarding divorce when the divorced canon [[Gene Robinson]] was made [[Bishop of New Hampshire]] on November 2.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=470}}

Many saw the American-led invasion of Iraq was seen as an attack on Islam.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=471}} Organized efforts were made by political and religious leaders in the Muslim world to differentiate typical Islam from extremism. Religious strife occurred in Saudi Arabia where [[Wahhabi]] Muslims supported stricter application of Islamic law—some engaging in civil unrest and suicide bombings—while other denominations spoke in favor of tolerance for minority religions and women.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=472}} French society and the French government, especially within the [[National Front (France)|National Front]], took a hostile approach toward Muslims in 2003. [[Stasi Commission|A proposal was made]] to ban religious attire in schools, while at the same time the country's first Muslim-run school was opened in [[Lille]].<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=473}}

Controversy erupted in the Hindu world after the reprint of ''Ganesa: Lord of Obstacles, Lord of Beginnings'' by Paul Courtright and the publication of ''Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India'' by [[James Laine]]. Both of these books were seen as offensive by some Hindu groups, causing the writers and publishers to receive threats and harassment.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=474}}

Judaism was marked with disputes between different sects, both in Israel and the United Kingdom. Israel debated whether [[Haredi Jews]] should be allowed to retain exemptions to certain laws.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=473}} The British [[Masortim|Masorti]] Rabbi [[Louis Jacobs]] was not permitted in an [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] ceremony for his granddaughter's marriage on the orders of the ''[[beth din]]'' in London, reigniting the Jacobs Affair of the 1960s.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=474}}

== Science ==

=== Archaeology ===
The 2002 discovery of the [[James Ossuary]], the suspected resting place of [[James, brother of Jesus]], was challenged by the [[Israel Antiquities Authority]] when it accused [[Oded Golan]] of fabricating the discovery.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=150}} A [[Liao dynasty]] coffin was opened during a live televised broadcast in Mongolia, revealing the remains of a nobleman.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=151}}

Other discoveries announced in 2003 include a religious burial site from {{Circa|9000 BC}} in [[Kfar HaHoresh]], [[Archaeological Park of Dion|a sanctuary to Zeus]] in the Greek city [[Dion, Pieria|Dion]], the first [[Pleistocene]] cave art to be found in Great Britain at [[Creswell Crags]], [[Bronze Age]] weapons and jewelry in [[Tyrol]],<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=150}} [[Viking]] treasure from c. 1020 on the [[Isle of Man]], six 4th-century Roman shoes near [[Amsterdam]], a [[Spring and Autumn period]] tomb in [[Henan]], a wall of [[Mandan]] defensive fortifications at [[Double Ditch]] in North Dakota, a [[Mississippian culture|Mississippian]] building in Illinois, [[Olmec]] seals that are among the oldest New World writing, burial sites in [[Teotihuacan]],<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=151}} and the 1898 wreckage of the [[Portland (shipwreck)|Portland]] off the coast of Massachusetts.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=152}}

=== Biology and genetics ===
The [[Herto Man]] fossils, first discovered in Ethiopia in 1997, were dated to approximately 160,000 years ago and proposed as a human subspecies ''Homo sapiens idaltu''. The findings provided additional evidence for the theory that humans [[Recent African origin of modern humans|originated in Africa]].<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=149}} A set of skulls, first discovered in Mexico in 1959, were dated to approximately 13,000 years ago.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=151}}

The first report for the 2000 [[Census of Marine Life]] was published in October, announcing that it had catalogued 15,304 species, including 500 newly discovered during the program.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=480}} A plan to breed the [[Iberian lynx]] was made in April to protect it from extinction.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=489}} An alternate theory for the [[Permian–Triassic extinction event]] was proposed in a study published on November 21, suggesting that it was caused by an asteroid impact instead of the more commonly accepted theory of volcanic activity.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=480}} Study of ''[[Microraptor]]'' fossils provided support for the hypothesis that dinosaurs evolved from gliding animals.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=142}} The use of [[genetically modified crops]] was a controversial issue, particularly in the European Union where a moratorium on [[genetically modified food]] remained in effect. Many other countries expanded their production of genetically modified crops.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=147}}

[[Human cloning]] was a subject of international scrutiny in 2003, triggered in part by the disputed claims of the [[Raëlist]] company [[Clonaid]] that they had produced human clones. Several countries supported international bans on human cloning.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=478}} The cloned sheep [[Dolly (sheep)|Dolly]] died on February 21 after living only six years, raising doubts about the viability of cloning. A study of mouse [[stem cells]] announced the creation of artificial eggs, while another announced that adult cells could be converted into stem cells by combining them with rabbit eggs. A study on chimpanzee DNA indicated that chimpanzees share 99.4 percent of their DNA with humans, instead of the previous estimate of 95 percent.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=479}}

=== Space exploration ===
{{Main|2003 in spaceflight}}
The American [[Space Shuttle Columbia|Space Shuttle ''Columbia'']] was [[Space Shuttle Columbia disaster|destroyed]] in the atmosphere as it returned to Earth on February 1, killing all seven on board.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=130}} NASA lost contact with the ''[[Pioneer 10]]'' probe (launched in 1972) and ended the mission of the [[Galileo (spacecraft)|''Galileo'']] probe (launched in 1989) by sending it into Jupiter's atmosphere. The ''[[Voyager 1]]'' probe became the first man-made object to reach the [[termination shock]] zone at the edge of the Solar System.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=477}} China became the third country to launch a human into space with the ''[[Shenzhou 5]]'' mission on October 15, in which taikonaut [[Yang Liwei]] was in space for 21 hours.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=476}}

[[NASA]] and the [[European Space Agency]] (ESA) scheduled several launches toward Mars for 2003 as the planet's orbit brought it its closest to Earth in approximately 60,000 years. NASA launched two Mars rovers, the [[Spirit (rover)|''Spirit'']] on June 10 and the [[Opportunity (rover)|''Opportunity'']] on July 7.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=477}} The ESA launched the ''[[Mars Express]]'' orbiter with the ''[[Beagle 2]]'' lander on June 2, but contact was lost with the ''Beagle 2'' when it landed on December 25.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=476}} The ESA's [[Rosetta (spacecraft)|''Rosetta'']] mission to the comet [[46P/Wirtanen]] was scheduled for January 12 but set back a year for a safety evaluation of the [[Ariane 5]] rocket following an incident the previous month.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=476}} NASA launched the [[Space Infrared Telescope Facility]] (later renamed the Spitzer Space Telescope) on August 2, and the ESA launched the [[SMART-1]] satellite on September 27 to study the Moon.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=477}}

The first results from the [[Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe]] were published in 2003. Its measurements of [[cosmic background radiation]] indicated that the universe is 13.7 billion years old and the first stars formed 200 million years after the Big Bang.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=142}} This provided evidence of the existence of [[dark matter]] and [[dark energy]].<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=477}}

=== Technology ===
[[Intel]] and [[AMD]] released [[64-bit computing|64-bit]] processors in 2003, popularizing what was previously a niche hardware amid the more common [[32-bit computing|32-bit]] systems.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=483}} [[Broadband]] internet and [[Cable modem|cable modems]] gained popularity at the expense of [[Dial-up internet access|dial-up]] and [[DSL modem|DSL modems]]. [[Wi-Fi hotspot|Wi-Fi hotspots]] became more common, and they were increasingly found in businesses for customers' use.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=165}}

Computing was the subject of multiple legal and philosophical disputes in 2003. The [[European Commission]] considered legalizing [[software patents]], triggering strong [[Software patents and free software|backlash]].<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=481}} [[SCO–Linux disputes|A dispute]] began between [[SCO Group]] and [[IBM]] over the [[open source]] status of [[UNIX]], triggering [[SCO Group, Inc. v. International Business Machines Corp.|a lawsuit]] in March. The [[State Council of China]] required that government ministries move away from software developed by [[Microsoft]] in favor of locally produced software.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=482}} Approximately 55 percent of emails sent in 2003 were [[Spamming|spam emails]], which led to the implementation of the [[Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive 2002|Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive]] in the European Union and the [[CAN-SPAM Act of 2003|CAN-SPAM Act]] in the United States.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=483}} The United Nations [[World Summit on the Information Society]] took place in December to organize the expansion of internet access throughout the world.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=484}}

The [[SQL Slammer]] worm was among several major malware programs to spread during the year through vulnerabilities in Microsoft operating systems. Its effects included the disabling of all 13,000 [[Bank of America]] ATMs in the United States and days of internet outage for customers of [[KT Corporation]] in South Korea.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=484}} The [[Welchia]] worm was created to download a patch that countered the malicious [[Blaster (computer worm)|Blaster]] worm but caused its own inadvertent system issues. The [[Sobig]] virus, transmitted through email, became the world's fastest spreading virus.<ref name=":52" />{{Rp|page=163}}

[[Camera phones]] became widespread in 2003 as millions were sold.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=88}} The original [[Volkswagen Beetle]], the most widely produced car ever designed, ended production with a final run of 3,000 cars for collectors.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=92}} The [[Concorde]] supersonic airliner ended services on October 24 after operating for 27 years.<ref name=":15" />{{Rp|page=93}} The United Kingdom installed the first rotating underwater turbine in June to generate tidal power.<ref name=":162" />{{Rp|page=488}}

==Events==
===January===
* [[January 5]] – [[Tel Aviv central bus station]]: Two Palestinian suicide bombers attack a neighborhood in Tel Aviv, killing at least 23 people and injuring 103.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-01-06 |title=Suicide bombings kill 23 in Tel Aviv |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/01/05/israel.explosions/ |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=CNN |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213183335/https://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/01/05/israel.explosions/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[January 8]] – [[Air Midwest Flight 5481]] crashed into a hangar upon takeoff in Charlotte, North Carolina, killing all 21 passengers and crew.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/Loss_of_Pitch_Control_Caused_Fatal_Airliner_Crash_in_Charlotte_North_Carolina_Last_Year.aspx|title=Loss of Pitch Control Caused Fatal Airliner Crash in Charlotte, North Carolina Last Year|date=February 26, 2004|publisher=National Transportation Safety Board|id=NTSB SB-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320082730/https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/Loss_of_Pitch_Control_Caused_Fatal_Airliner_Crash_in_Charlotte_North_Carolina_Last_Year.aspx|archive-date=20 March 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[January 10]] – North Korea announces its withdrawal from the [[Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2003-01-10 |title=North Korea withdraws from nuclear treaty |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/jan/10/northkorea1 |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214031002/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/jan/10/northkorea1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[January 22]] – The last signal from NASA's ''[[Pioneer 10]]'' spacecraft is received, some 12.2&nbsp;billion kilometers (7.6&nbsp;billion mi) from [[Earth]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/releases/2003/03_25HQ.html|title=Pioneer 10 Spacecraft Sends Last Signal|last=Mewhinney|first=Michael|date=February 25, 2003|website=NASA|access-date=July 1, 2016|archive-date=June 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628154600/http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/releases/2003/03_25HQ.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[January 29]] – Riots break out in [[Phnom Penh]], Cambodia targeting Thai nationals after false reports that a Thai actress made comments about a temple. Thailand severs diplomatic relations with Cambodia in response.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aglionby |first=John |date=2003-01-31 |title=Thais cut links with Cambodia after riots |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/jan/31/cambodia |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827175456/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/jan/31/cambodia |url-status=live }}</ref>

===February===
* [[February 1]] – At the conclusion of the [[STS-107]] mission, the [[Space Shuttle Columbia disaster|Space Shuttle ''Columbia'' disintegrates during reentry]] over [[Texas]], killing all seven astronauts on board.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/space/Columbia%20accident.htm|title=The Columbia Space Shuttle Accident|website=Century of Flight|access-date=July 1, 2016|archive-date=August 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824204843/http://www.century-of-flight.net/Aviation%20history/space/Columbia%20accident.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[February 4]] – The [[Serbia and Montenegro|Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]] is renamed to "Serbia and Montenegro" (after its two constituent states) after its leaders reconstitute the country into a loose state-union between [[Republic of Montenegro (1992–2006)|Montenegro]] and [[Republic of Serbia (1992–2006)|Serbia]], marking an end to the 73-year-long use of the name "Yugoslavia" by a sovereign state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.factrover.com/history/Serbia_and_Montenegro_history.html|title=The History of Serbia and Montenegro|website=Fact Rover|access-date=July 2, 2016|archive-date=July 19, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040719223006/http://www.factrover.com/history/Serbia_and_Montenegro_history.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://euobserver.com/world/9257 | archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240329155218/https://euobserver.com/world/9257 | archive-date=March 29, 2024 | title=Yugoslavia no longer exists | date=February 5, 2003 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Williams |first=Daniel |date=February 4, 2003 |title=Yugoslavs Shrug off Their Country's End - the Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2003/02/05/yugoslavs-shrug-off-their-countrys-end/992f5418-7329-4489-9a23-f0792169aeac/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240329155045/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2003/02/05/yugoslavs-shrug-off-their-countrys-end/992f5418-7329-4489-9a23-f0792169aeac/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2024-03-29 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>
* [[February 5]] – U.S. Secretary of State [[Colin Powell]] speaks to the United Nations presenting the case for a military invasion of [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq]]. It will later be discovered that the [[Bush administration (2000)|Bush administration]] misled him when preparing his testimony.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2021-10-18 |title=Colin Powell's Fateful Moment |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/colin-powells-fateful-moment |access-date=2022-12-13 |magazine=The New Yorker |language=en-US |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213190410/https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/colin-powells-fateful-moment |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[February 7]] – [[2003 El Nogal Club bombing]]: A car bomb goes off in the garage of the El Nogal club in [[Bogotá]], Colombia, killing 36 people and injuring hundreds.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suárez |first=Juliana |title=16 years of the attack at Club El Nogal in Bogotá - LatinAmerican Post |url=https://latinamericanpost.com/26241-16-years-of-the-attack-at-club-el-nogal-in-bogota |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=Latin American Post |date=February 6, 2019 |language=en-gb |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213183333/https://latinamericanpost.com/26241-16-years-of-the-attack-at-club-el-nogal-in-bogota |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[February 9]]–[[March 23]] – The [[2003 Cricket World Cup]] is held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kenya with Australia defeating India in the final.
* [[February 15]]–[[February 16|16]] – [[Antwerp diamond heist]]: An Italian gang steals loose diamonds, gold and jewellery valued at more than $100&nbsp;million from a Belgian vault, one of the largest robberies in history.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hopes of finding diamond haul fade |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3364911.stm |website=BBC News |access-date=18 June 2022 |date=14 February 2004 |archive-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618124813/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3364911.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Davis |first1=Joshua |title=The Untold Story of the World's Biggest Diamond Heist |url=https://www.wired.com/2009/03/ff-diamonds-2/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=December 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214201638/https://www.wired.com/2009/03/ff-diamonds-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[February 15]] – Millions of people worldwide take part in massive [[15 February 2003 anti-war protests|anti-war protests]] in anticipation of the United States and its allies invading [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq]] to overthrow [[Saddam Hussein]]'s regime.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2765215.stm|title=Millions join global anti-war protests|date=2003-02-17|work=BBC News|access-date=2016-07-01|archive-date=September 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921125652/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2765215.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[February 18]] – [[Daegu subway fire]]: An arsonist sets fire to a subway train in Daegu, South Korea, killing 192 people.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chan |first1=Wing-Cheong |title=Support for Victims of Crime in Asia |date=12 September 2007 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-07711-3 |pages=67–177 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zcK0iJIyZlIC&pg=PA177 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[February 19]] – An [[Ilyushin Il-76]] plane [[2003 Iran Ilyushin Il-76 crash|crashes]] near [[Kerman Airport]] in Iran, killing 270 military personnel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-02-19 |title=Iran plane crash kills 270 soldiers |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/feb/19/iran |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214011523/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/feb/19/iran |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[February 20]] – A pyrotechnics accident during a [[Great White]] concert causes [[The Station nightclub fire|a fire]] at a nightclub in [[West Warwick, Rhode Island]], killing 100 people.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Station nightclub fire: What happened and who's to blame for disaster that killed 100? |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-station-nightclub-fire-rhode-island-what-happened-and-whos-to-blame/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=CBS News |date=October 24, 2021 |language=en-US |archive-date=December 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215003955/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-station-nightclub-fire-rhode-island-what-happened-and-whos-to-blame/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[February 24]] – [[2003 Bachu earthquake]]: A 6.8 {{M|w}}earthquake strikes in [[Xinjiang]], killing 257 people.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Wendy |date=2003-02-25 |title=China: Mighty earthquake strikes Xinjiang |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/china/china-mighty-earthquake-strikes-xinjiang |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=ReliefWeb |language=en |archive-date=July 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702092014/https://reliefweb.int/report/china/china-mighty-earthquake-strikes-xinjiang |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[February 26]] – The [[War in Darfur]] begins after rebel groups rise up against the Sudanese government.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3496731.stm|title=Q&A: Sudan's Darfur conflict|date=2010-02-23|website=BBC News|access-date=2016-07-01|archive-date=April 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414191135/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3496731.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[February 27]] – Former Bosnian Serb leader [[Biljana Plavšić]] is sentenced by the United Nations [[International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia]] to 11 years in prison for war crimes committed during the [[Bosnian War]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/feb/27/warcrimes|title='Iron lady' jailed for Bosnia war crimes|date=2003-02-27|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|access-date=2016-07-01|archive-date=September 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921054743/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/feb/27/warcrimes|url-status=live}}</ref>

===March===
* [[March 8]] – [[Malta]] approves joining the [[European Union]] in [[2003 Maltese European Union membership referendum|a referendum]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/03/09/malta.yes/ |title=Malta votes 'yes' to EU membership |date=March 9, 2003 |website=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030313220750/http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/03/09/malta.yes/ |archive-date=March 13, 2003 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 3, 2016}}</ref>
* [[March 12]]
** [[Republic of Serbia (1992–2006)|Serbia]]n Prime Minister [[Zoran Đinđić]] [[Assassination of Zoran Đinđić|is assassinated in Belgrade]] by a sniper.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2885377.stm|title=Djindjic murder suspect arrested|date=2003-03-25|newspaper=BBC|access-date=2016-07-01|archive-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104212350/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2885377.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
** The [[World Health Organization]] issues a global alert on [[severe acute respiratory syndrome]] when it spreads to [[Hong Kong]] and [[Vietnam]] after originating in [[Mainland China]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/04/24/timeline.sars/|title=CNN.com - Timeline: SARS outbreak - Apr. 24, 2003|website=CNN|access-date=2016-07-01|archive-date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308183738/http://edition.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/04/24/timeline.sars/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[March 15]] – Former General [[François Bozizé]] seizes power through [[2003 Central African Republic coup d'état|a military coup]] in the [[Central African Republic]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-03-17 |title=CAR coup strongly condemned |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2853429.stm |access-date=2022-12-14 |archive-date=August 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829003215/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2853429.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[March 17]] – U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] presents a 48-hour ultimatum for Iraqi president [[Saddam Hussein]] to resign.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-03-17 |title=Bush: 'Leave Iraq within 48 hours' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/17/sprj.irq.bush.transcript/ |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=CNN |archive-date=March 20, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030320042257/https://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/17/sprj.irq.bush.transcript/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[March 20]] – The [[Iraq War]] begins with the [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion]] of [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq]] by the U.S. and allied forces.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/08/31/world/middleeast/20100831-Iraq-Timeline.html#/|title=Timeline of Major Events in the Iraq War|last1=Crichton|first1=Kyle|last2=Lamb|first2=Gina|access-date=2016-07-01|last3=Jacquette|first3=Rogene Fisher|website=[[The New York Times]]|archive-date=January 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102165604/http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/08/31/world/middleeast/20100831-Iraq-Timeline.html#/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[March 21]] – The world's largest ocean liner, [[RMS Queen Mary 2]]  is launched.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=Peter C. |title=Cruise Ships: The World's Most Luxurious Vessels |date=1 January 2010 |publisher=Casemate Publishers |isbn=978-1-84884-218-2 |page=141 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3w3ocEPPlKoC&pg=PA141 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[March 23]]
** [[2003 Nadimarg massacre]]: Islamist militants gather and execute citizens of a Hindu village in [[Kashmir]], killing 24 of the 54 residents.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-03-30 |title=Kashmir Massacre Shakes Village's Sense of Fraternity |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-30-adfg-indiakill30-story.html |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213183339/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-mar-30-adfg-indiakill30-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
** [[Slovenia]] approves joining the European Union and [[NATO]] in [[2003 Slovenian European Union and NATO membership referendum|a referendum]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/24/world/slovenia-votes-for-membership-in-european-union-and-nato.html|title=Slovenia Votes for Membership in European Union and NATO|last=Green|first=Peter S.|date=2003-03-24|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-07-01|archive-date=March 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318022921/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/24/world/slovenia-votes-for-membership-in-european-union-and-nato.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===April===
* [[April 9]] – U.S. forces [[Battle of Baghdad (2003)|seize control of Baghdad]], ending the rule of Saddam Hussein.<ref name=":0"/>
* [[April 12]] – [[Hungary]] approves joining the European Union in [[2003 Hungarian European Union membership referendum|a referendum]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/04/13/1050172461479.html|title=Hungarians approve EU entry - theage.com.au|website=www.theage.com.au|date=April 13, 2003|access-date=2016-07-01|archive-date=October 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024072514/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/04/13/1050172461479.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[April 14]] – The [[Human Genome Project]] is completed, with 99% of the human [[genome]] sequenced to 99.99% accuracy.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2940601.stm|title=Human genome finally complete|date=2003-04-14|newspaper=BBC|access-date=2016-07-01|archive-date=June 14, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614141605/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2940601.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[April 16]] – The [[Treaty of Accession 2003|Treaty of Accession]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=European Union Accession Act 2003 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/35/notes?view=plain |access-date=June 12, 2022 |website=UK Gov Legislation |archive-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612040635/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/35/notes?view=plain |url-status=live }}</ref> is signed in Athens between the [[European Union]] and ten countries ([[Czech Republic]], [[Estonia]], [[Cyprus]], [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]], [[Hungary]], [[Malta]], [[Poland]], [[Slovenia]] and [[Slovakia]]), concerning these countries' accession into the EU, leading to the 2004 [[enlargement of the European Union]].
* [[April 17]] – [[Anneli Jäätteenmäki]] takes office as the first female [[prime minister of Finland]].<ref>{{cite web|access-date=17 April 2023|date=17 April 2003|language=fi|title=Pääministeri Anneli Jäätteenmäki|url=https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000004134474.html|url-access=subscription|work=[[Helsingin Sanomat]]|archive-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417120540/https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000004134474.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[April 18]] – Indian Prime Minister [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] visits Kashmir and expresses support for peace negotiations with Pakistan.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=95}}
* [[April 20]] – [[Tropical Storm Ana (2003)|Tropical Storm Ana]] becomes the first recorded North Atlantic tropical storm to occur in April.<ref name=":12" />
* [[April 21]] – The [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] end peace talks in the [[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]].<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=107}}
* [[April 24]] – Microsoft releases the [[Windows Server 2003]] operating system to retail.
* [[April 27]] – [[Nicanor Duarte|Nicanor Duarte Frutos]] is elected president over [[Julio César Franco (politician)|Julio César Franco]] in the [[2003 Paraguayan general election]].<ref>[[Dieter Nohlen]] (2005) ''Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume II'', p425 {{ISBN|978-0-19-928358-3}}</ref>
* [[April 29]] – The United States announces the withdrawal of its troops stationed in [[Saudi Arabia]], and the redeployment of some at the [[Al Udeid Air Base]] in [[Qatar]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/29/international/worldspecial/29CND-RUMS.html|title=U.S. to Withdraw All Combat Forces From Saudi Arabia|last=Schmitt|first=Eric|date=2003-04-29|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-07-02|archive-date=August 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819070432/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/29/international/worldspecial/29CND-RUMS.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===May===
* [[May 1]]
** [[2003 Bingöl earthquake]]: A 6.4 {{M|w}} earthquake strikes in [[Bingöl]], Turkey, killing 177 people.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.iitk.ac.in/nicee/wcee/article/13_888.pdf |title=The 1st of May 2003, Bingol, Turkey, Earthquake, A Study of the Performance of the Building Stock |last1=Ellul |first1=Frederick |last2=D'Ayala |first2=Dina |date=2004 |last3=Calayir |first3=Yusuf |access-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314234154/https://www.iitk.ac.in/nicee/wcee/article/13_888.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
** U.S. President George W. Bush declares an end to the invasion of Iraq in the [[Mission Accomplished speech]]. Hostilities would continue for several years during a period of [[Iraqi insurgency (2003–2011)|Iraqi insurgency]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cline |first=Seth |date=2013-05-01 |title=The Other Symbol of George W. Bush's Legacy |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/press-past/2013/05/01/the-other-symbol-of-george-w-bushs-legacy |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=U.S. News & World Report |archive-date=March 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320154431/https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/press-past/2013/05/01/the-other-symbol-of-george-w-bushs-legacy |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[May 11]]
** [[Benvenuto Cellini]]'s ''[[Cellini Salt Cellar]]'' table sculpture is stolen from the [[Kunsthistorisches Museum]] in [[Vienna]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/26/arts/design/for-stolen-saltcellar-a-cellphone-is-golden.html|title=For Stolen Saltcellar, A Cellphone Is Golden|last=Bernstein|first=Richard|date=2006-01-26|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-07-01|archive-date=November 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120233150/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/26/arts/design/for-stolen-saltcellar-a-cellphone-is-golden.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[Lithuania]] approves joining the European Union in [[2003 Lithuanian European Union membership referendum|a referendum]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3018983.stm|title=EU welcomes Lithuania vote|date=2003-05-12|newspaper=BBC|access-date=2016-07-01|archive-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104125959/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3018983.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[2003 Sri Lanka cyclone]]: A cyclone makes landfall in Sri Lanka, killing 260 people and causing the country's worst natural disaster in 50 years.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Zubair |first=Lareef |date=2004 |title=May 2003 Disaster in Sri Lanka and Cyclone 01-B in the Bay of Bengal |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1023/B:NHAZ.0000048462.21938.d6 |journal=Natural Hazards |language=en |volume=33 |issue=3 |pages=303–318 |doi=10.1023/B:NHAZ.0000048462.21938.d6 |bibcode=2004NatHa..33..303Z |s2cid=128560863 |issn=0921-030X}}</ref>
* [[May 12]]
** In [[Riyadh]], Saudi Arabia, over 30 people are killed in [[Riyadh compound bombings|multiple bombings at a housing compound]], mostly foreign expatriates.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://english.aawsat.com/2013/05/article55301428/the-riyadh-compound-bombings-ten-years-and-ten-lessons-later|title=The Riyadh Compound Bombings: Ten Years, and Ten Lessons, Later|date=2013-05-12|access-date=2016-07-01|archive-date=August 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806115547/http://english.aawsat.com/2013/05/article55301428/the-riyadh-compound-bombings-ten-years-and-ten-lessons-later|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** [[2003 Znamenskoye suicide bombing]]: Chechen suicide bombers attack a government office in [[Znamenskoye, Chechen Republic|Znamenskoye]], Russia, killing at least 59 people.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-05-14 |title=Chechnya hit by new suicide attack |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3027343.stm |access-date=2022-12-13 |archive-date=March 14, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060314132951/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3027343.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[May 15]] – [[2003 Argentine general election]]: [[Néstor Kirchner]] becomes president-elect of Argentina after [[Carlos Menem]] withdraws from the runoff election.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-05-15 |title=Menem withdraws from Argentina's presidential runoff |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2003/05/15/menem-withdraws-from-argentina-s-presidential-runoff/ |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213211540/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2003/05/15/menem-withdraws-from-argentina-s-presidential-runoff/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[May 16]] – [[2003 Casablanca bombings]]: Islamist militants affiliated with [[Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb]] carry out a series of suicide bombings in [[Casablanca]], Morocco, killing at least 41 people.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bright |first1=Martin |last2=Harris |first2=Paul |last3=Bouzerda |first3=Ali |last4=Daly |first4=Emma |date=2003-05-18 |title=Horror in Casablanca as al-Qaeda toll hits 41 |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/may/18/alqaida.terrorism2 |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213183335/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/may/18/alqaida.terrorism2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[May 17]] – [[Slovakia]] approves joining the European Union in [[2003 Slovak European Union membership referendum|a referendum]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.neweurope.eu/article/slovakia-welcomes-eu-membership-thumping-referendum-results/|title=Slovakia welcomes EU membership with thumping referendum results|date=May 25, 2003|website=New Europe|access-date=July 1, 2016|archive-date=August 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815182742/https://www.neweurope.eu/article/slovakia-welcomes-eu-membership-thumping-referendum-results/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[May 21]] – The 6.8 {{M|w}} [[2003 Boumerdès earthquake|Boumerdès earthquake]] strikes in Algeria, killing over 2,200 people.<ref name=":10" />
* [[May 23]] – [[Dewey (deer)|Dewey]], the world's first [[Cloning|cloned]] [[deer]] is born, at [[Texas A&M University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/3316718/Dewey-the-deer-is-latest-clone.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/3316718/Dewey-the-deer-is-latest-clone.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Dewey the deer is latest clone|last=Highfield|first=Roger|date=December 24, 2003|website=The Telegraph|access-date=July 1, 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* [[May 24]] – The [[Eurovision Song Contest 2003]] takes place in [[Riga]], Latvia, and is won by [[Turkey in the Eurovision Song Contest|Turkish]] entrant [[Sertab Erener]] with the song "[[Everyway That I Can]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2935874.stm|title=UK act hits Eurovision low|website=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=25 May 2003|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=26 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826210526/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2935874.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[May 26]] – A [[2003 Rwandan constitutional referendum|constitutional referendum]] is held in Rwanda.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-05-26 |title=Rwanda votes on constitution |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2937890.stm |access-date=2022-12-13 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022152150/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2937890.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[May 28]] – [[Prometea]], the world's first cloned [[horse]], is born.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn4026-worlds-first-cloned-horse-is-born|title=World's first cloned horse is born|last=Bhattacharya|first=Shaoni|date=August 6, 2003|website=New Scientist|access-date=July 1, 2016|archive-date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413052622/https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn4026-worlds-first-cloned-horse-is-born/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===June===
* [[June 2]] – ''[[Mars Express]]'' launches, containing the ''[[Beagle 2]]'' lander.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-06-03 |title=Mars Express En Route For The Red Planet |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/06/030603083347.htm |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=ScienceDaily |language=en |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213172005/https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/06/030603083347.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[June 8]]
** [[Poland]] approves joining the European Union in [[2003 Polish European Union membership referendum|a referendum]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2973738.stm|title=Poland says big Yes to EU|date=2003-06-09|newspaper=BBC|access-date=2016-07-01|archive-date=September 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927152553/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2973738.stm/|url-status=live}}</ref>
** Major [[Saleh Ould Hanenna]] leads [[2003 Mauritanian coup d'état attempt|a failed coup]] in Mauritania, leading to violence.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-06-09 |title=Mauritania 'foils' coup attempt |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2974006.stm |access-date=2022-12-14 |archive-date=August 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825020131/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2974006.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[June 14]] – The [[Czech Republic]] approves joining the European Union in [[2003 Czech European Union membership referendum|a referendum]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/15/world/binding-ballot-czechs-give-landslide-approval-2004-membership-european-union.html|title=In Binding Ballot, Czechs Give Landslide Approval to 2004 Membership in European Union|last=Green|first=Peter S.|date=2003-06-15|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-07-02|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118014149/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/15/world/binding-ballot-czechs-give-landslide-approval-2004-membership-european-union.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[June 15]] – [[Operation Desert Scorpion (Iraq 2003)|Operation Desert Scorpion]]: U.S. forces in Iraq facilitate searches for [[Ba'athism|Ba'athist]] forces, distribution of humanitarian aid, and engineering programs to repair damaged infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Osborn |first=Kris |date=2003-06-17 |title=Operation Desert Scorpion responds to attacks |url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/06/17/hln.terror.new.operation/|access-date=2022-12-13 |website=CNN |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213190410/http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/06/17/hln.terror.new.operation/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[June 21]] – Declaration of Thessaloniki: The European Union encourages accession of states of the western [[Balkans]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Eu-Western Balkans Summit Thessaloniki|url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/PRES_03_163|publisher=European Commission|date=2003-06-21|accessdate=2022-08-20|archive-date=August 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818085833/https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/PRES_03_163|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[June 26]] – With the first pick in the [[2003 NBA Draft]], the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] selected [[LeBron James]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/26/sports/basketball/lebron-james-selected-first-by-cleveland.html|date=2003-06-26|title=LeBron James Selected First by Cleveland|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=2024-12-30|archive-date=2024-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241205151930/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/26/sports/basketball/lebron-james-selected-first-by-cleveland.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[June 30]] – Warring parties in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] sign a peace accord, bringing an end to the [[Second Congo War]], which left millions dead.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20111115-drc-congo-timeline-zaire-key-dates-mobutu-lumumba-kasavu-kabila-elections|title=Timeline: Key dates in DR Congo's turbulent history|last=Bamat|first=Joseph|date=November 15, 2011|website=France24|access-date=July 1, 2016|archive-date=August 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827213559/http://www.france24.com/en/20111115-drc-congo-timeline-zaire-key-dates-mobutu-lumumba-kasavu-kabila-elections|url-status=live}}</ref>

===July===
* July–August – [[2003 European heat wave]]: Europe experiences its hottest summer in over five centuries.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Stott |first1=Peter A. |last2=Stone |first2=D. A. |last3=Allen |first3=M. R. |date=2004 |title=Human contribution to the European heatwave of 2003 |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/nature03089 |journal=Nature |language=en |volume=432 |issue=7017 |pages=610–614 |doi=10.1038/nature03089 |pmid=15577907 |bibcode=2004Natur.432..610S |s2cid=13882658 |issn=1476-4687 |access-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214011521/https://www.nature.com/articles/nature03089 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[July 1]] – [[Tesla Inc.]], the American electric car company, is founded by [[Martin Eberhard]] and [[Marc Tarpenning]] in San Carlos, California.<ref>{{cite web |title=Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning {{!}} American entrepreneurs {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martin-Eberhard-and-Marc-Tarpenning |website=www.britannica.com |access-date=18 June 2022 |language=en |archive-date=February 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218075931/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martin-Eberhard-and-Marc-Tarpenning |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=McGrath |first1=Robert N. |title=Capital Project Management, Volume I: Capital Project Strategy |date=8 November 2019 |publisher=Business Expert Press |isbn=978-1-949991-85-7 |page=10 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_EG9DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT10 |language=en |access-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-date=April 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429205453/https://books.google.com/books?id=_EG9DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT10 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[July 2]] – The [[International Olympic Committee]] awards [[Vancouver]] the right to host the [[2010 Winter Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Vancouver welcomes the world! |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/vancouver-welcomes-the-world |website=olympics.com |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618160025/https://olympics.com/en/news/vancouver-welcomes-the-world |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[July 4]] – [[2003 Quetta mosque bombing]]: Islamist militants attack a Shia mosque in [[Quetta]], Pakistan, killing at least 44 people.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-07-04 |title=Over 40 killed in Quetta mosque attack |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2003/7/4/over-40-killed-in-quetta-mosque-attack |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213183332/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2003/7/4/over-40-killed-in-quetta-mosque-attack |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[July 5]] – Severe acute respiratory syndrome is declared to be contained by the World Health Organization.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/03/11/sars-2013_n_2854568.html|title=SARS 2013: 10 Years Ago SARS Went Around The World, Where Is It Now?|last=Branswell|first=Helen|date=March 11, 2013|website=The Huffington Post|access-date=July 1, 2016|archive-date=January 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116020750/http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/03/11/sars-2013_n_2854568.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[July 6]]
** The 70-meter Eupatoria Planetary Radar sends a [[Active SETI|METI]] message [[Cosmic Call|Cosmic Call 2]] to five stars: Hip 4872, HD 245409, [[55 Cancri]], [[HD 10307]] and [[47 Ursae Majoris]], that will arrive at these stars in [[2030s|2036]], [[2040]], May [[2044]], September 2044 and [[2049]] respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cplire.ru/rus/ra%26sr/VAK-2004.html|title=Передача и поиски разумных сигналов во Вселенной|date=June 7, 2004|website=www.cplire.ru|language=ru|trans-title=Transmission and search for intelligent signals in the universe|access-date=2017-12-19|archive-date=May 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530145209/https://www.plover.com/misc/Dumas-Dutil/messages.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** [[Dennis Schmitt]] discovers the island of [[83-42]], a candidate for being the northernmost point of land.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burress |first=Charles |date=2004-06-17 |title=BERKELEY / Romancing the north / Berkeley explorer may have stepped on ancient Thule |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/BERKELEY-Romancing-the-north-Berkeley-2748730.php |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=SFGATE |language=en-US |archive-date=May 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509184952/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/06/17/BAG4J779M31.DTL&type=science |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[July 10]] – The existence of [[PSR B1620−26 b]], the oldest known exoplanet in the galaxy, is confirmed using observations from the [[Hubble Space Telescope]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-07-10 |title=Oldest Known Planet Identified |url=https://hubblesite.org/contents/news-releases/2003/news-2003-19 |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=HubbleSite.org |language=en |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207102018/https://hubblesite.org/contents/news-releases/2003/news-2003-19.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[July 13]] – The [[Iraqi Governing Council]] is created by the United States as an ethnically diverse provisional government of Iraq.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otterman |first=Sharon |date=2005-02-02 |title=IRAQ: Iraq's Governing Council |url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/iraq-iraqs-governing-council |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=Council on Foreign Relations |language=en |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213190413/https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/iraq-iraqs-governing-council |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[July 14]] – [[Robert Novak]] identifies [[Valerie Plame]] as a covert CIA agent, initiating a scandal known as the [[Plame affair]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://old.nationalreview.com/may/may200507150827.asp|title=Who Exposed Secret Agent Plame?|date=July 15, 2005|website=National Review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523103020/http://old.nationalreview.com/may/may200507150827.asp|archive-date=May 23, 2011}}</ref>
* [[July 15]] – The [[United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia]] agrees to disband.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=102}}
* [[July 16]] – Major [[Fernando Pereira (major)|Fernando Pereira]] leads [[2003 São Tomé and Príncipe coup d'état attempt|a failed coup]] in São Tomé and Príncipe.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Porto |first=João Gomes |date=2003 |title=Coup D'etat in São Tomé and Príncipe |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10246029.2003.9627247 |journal=African Security Review |language=en |volume=12 |issue=4 |pages=33–35 |doi=10.1080/10246029.2003.9627247 |s2cid=144601260 |issn=1024-6029 |access-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214005150/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10246029.2003.9627247 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[July 18]] – The [[Convention on the Future of Europe]] finishes its work and proposes the first European Constitution.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hrcr.org/hottopics/EuropeanC.html|title=First European Constitution Drafted|date=July 18, 2003|website=Human and Constitutional Rights|access-date=July 2, 2016|archive-date=August 19, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030819173455/http://www.hrcr.org/hottopics/EuropeanC.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[July 24]] – The [[Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands|Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands]], led by [[Australia]], begins after ethnic violence engulfs the island country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dfat.gov.au/news/speeches/Pages/operation-helpem-fren-rebuilding-the-nation-of-solomon-islands.aspx|title=Operation Helpem Fren: Rebuilding the Nation of Solomon Islands|website=Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade|access-date=2016-07-01|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817080118/http://dfat.gov.au/news/speeches/Pages/operation-helpem-fren-rebuilding-the-nation-of-solomon-islands.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[July 27]] – [[Oakwood mutiny]]: Philippine military officers lead approximately 300 soldiers in a failed [[Coup d'état|coup]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-09-04 |title=WHAT WENT BEFORE: Oakwood Mutiny and Trillanes' 2nd try to oust Arroyo |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1028406/what-went-before-the-oakwood-mutiny |access-date=2022-12-14 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |language=en |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214005147/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1028406/what-went-before-the-oakwood-mutiny |url-status=live }}</ref>

===August===
* [[August 1]] – Social networking service [[Myspace]] is launched.<ref>{{Cite web |last=La |first=Lynn |date=2018-08-01 |title=15 years later MySpace is still alive -- but it's nothing like it was before |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/myspace-memories-15-years-later-facebook-social-media/ |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=CNET |language=en |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214013023/https://www.cnet.com/culture/myspace-memories-15-years-later-facebook-social-media/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[August 2]] – President [[Charles Taylor (Liberian politician)|Charles Taylor]] of Liberia resigns, effectively ending the [[Second Liberian Civil War]].<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=118}}
* [[August 5]] – [[2003 Marriott Hotel bombing|A car bomb]] exploded at the [[JW Marriott Jakarta|Marriott Hotel]] in [[Jakarta]], Indonesia, killing 12 people and injuring 150.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/05/international/asia/deadly-car-bombing-shakes-marriott-hotel-in-jakarta.html|title=Deadly Car Bombing Shakes Marriott Hotel in Jakarta|date=2003-08-05|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=2019-10-30}}</ref>
* [[August 11]]
** The [[Second Liberian Civil War]] comes to an end after President [[Charles Taylor (Liberian politician)|Charles Taylor]] resigns and flees the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/aug/11/westafrica|title=Liberian president Taylor steps down|last=Agencies|date=2003-08-11|website=The Guardian|access-date=2016-07-02|archive-date=October 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005014731/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/aug/11/westafrica|url-status=live}}</ref>
** NATO takes over command of the [[International Security Assistance Force|peacekeeping force]] in Afghanistan, marking its first major operation outside Europe in its 54-year-history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/aug/11/afghanistan|title=Nato takes control of Afghanistan peace mission|agency=Associated Press|date=2003-08-11|website=The Guardian|access-date=2016-07-02|archive-date=October 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005000850/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/aug/11/afghanistan|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 14]] – The [[Northeast blackout of 2003]] cuts electricity to the northeastern United States and parts of Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Minkel |first=J. R. |date=August 13, 2008 |title=The 2003 Northeast Blackout--Five Years Later |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/2003-blackout-five-years-later/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124003813/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/2003-blackout-five-years-later/ |archive-date=November 24, 2022 |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=Scientific American |language=en}}</ref>
* [[August 19]]
** In the [[Canal Hotel bombing]] in Baghdad 22 people are killed, among them United Nations' Special Representative in Iraq [[Sérgio Vieira de Mello]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=In Memoriam: Baghdad, 19 August 2003 |url=https://www.un.org/en/memorial/baghdad2003.shtml |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=United Nations |language=EN |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219031227/https://www.un.org/en/memorial/baghdad2003.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>
** [[Shmuel HaNavi bus bombing]]: A Palestinian suicide bomber kills at least 18 people in a bus bombing in [[Jerusalem]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bennet |first=James |date=2003-08-19 |title=Bombing Kills 18 and Hurts Scores More on Jerusalem Bus |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/19/international/middleeast/bombing-kills-18-and-hurts-scores-more-on-jerusalem.html |access-date=2022-12-13 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213183339/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/19/international/middleeast/bombing-kills-18-and-hurts-scores-more-on-jerusalem.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[August 25]]
** The [[Spitzer Space Telescope]] is launched from [[Cape Canaveral]], [[Florida]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/spitzer-space-telescope/|title=Spitzer Space Telescope|website=nasa.gov|access-date=2016-07-02|archive-date=July 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709180053/http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/spitzer-space-telescope|url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[August 2003 Mumbai bombings|Car bombs explode]] at [[Gateway of India]] and [[Zaveri Bazaar]] in [[Mumbai]], claiming 54 lives and injuring 244 others. [[Pakistan]]-based [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] is blamed for the attack.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/25/newsid_3921000/3921475.stm|title=2003: Bombay rocked by twin car bombs|publisher=BBC|access-date=7 August 2009|date=25 August 2003|archive-date=April 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410202413/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/25/newsid_3921000/3921475.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 27]]
** [[Mars]] makes its [[Opposition (astronomy)|closest approach]] to Earth in over 60,000 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.windows2universe.org/headline_universe/solar_system/stories_2003/mars_opposit_27aug2003.html|title=Mars Opposition in August 2003 - Windows to the Universe|website=windows2universe.org|access-date=2016-07-02|archive-date=June 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622105125/http://www.windows2universe.org/headline_universe/solar_system/stories_2003/mars_opposit_27aug2003.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
** The first [[six-party talks]], involving South and North Korea, the United States, China, Japan and Russia, convene to find a peaceful resolution to the security concerns of the [[North Korea and weapons of mass destruction|North Korean nuclear weapons program]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.china-un.org/eng/zt/ch/t25488.htm|title=The Six-party Talks Kicked off|website=china-un.org|access-date=2017-12-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214182709/http://www.china-un.org/eng/zt/ch/t25488.htm|archive-date=December 14, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[August 29]] – [[Imam Ali mosque bombing]]: A bomb kills at least 125 people, including [[Mohammad Baqir al-Hakim]], at a Shia mosque in [[Najaf]], Iraq.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-08-30 |title=Najaf bombing kills Shiite leader, followers say |url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/08/29/sprj.irq.najaf/index.html |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=CNN |archive-date=December 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219104442/http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/08/29/sprj.irq.najaf/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===September===
* [[September 2]] – [[Typhoon Dujuan (2003)|Typhoon Dujuan]] makes landfall in [[Guangdong]] as a category 1 typhoon with sustained winds of 90&nbsp;mph.<ref name="TSR2001Summ" />
* [[September 5]] – [[Hurricane Fabian]] strikes Bermuda.<ref name=":12" />
* [[September 12]] – [[Typhoon Maemi]], makes landfall in South Korea as a category 3 typhoon with sustained winds of 125&nbsp;mph.<ref name="TSR2001Summ" />
* [[September 14]]
** General [[Veríssimo Correia Seabra]] leads [[2003 Guinea-Bissau coup d'état|a bloodless coup]] in Guinea-Bissau. He steps down to create a new civilian government days later.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-09-28 |title=Interim government takes over Bissau |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3147570.stm |access-date=2022-12-14 |archive-date=April 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421142404/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3147570.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>
** [[Estonia]] approves joining the European Union in [[2003 Estonian European Union membership referendum|a referendum]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://elik.nlib.ee/en/estonia-and-the-eu-2/estonias-accession-to-the-eu|title=Euroopa Liidu Infokeskus {{!}} Estonia's Accession to the EU|website=nlib.ee|access-date=2016-07-02|archive-date=August 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820182602/http://elik.nlib.ee/en/estonia-and-the-eu-2/estonias-accession-to-the-eu/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[September 15]] – [[National Liberation Army (Colombia)|ELN]] rebels kidnap eight foreign tourists at [[Ciudad Perdida]], Colombia, being freed 100 days later following negotiations with the Colombian government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://laciudadperdida.com/about-ciudad-perdida/kidnappings-and-modern-times/#.V3cM9qLePIU|title=Ciudad Perpida Kidnappings and Modern History|website=La Ciudad Perpida|access-date=July 2, 2016|archive-date=November 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130093008/http://laciudadperdida.com/about-ciudad-perdida/kidnappings-and-modern-times/#.V3cM9qLePIU|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[September 18]] – [[Hurricane Isabel]] makes landfall in [[North Carolina]].<ref name=":12" />
* [[September 20]] – [[Latvia]] approves joining the European Union in [[2003 Latvian European Union membership referendum|a referendum]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com:80/2003/WORLD/europe/09/20/latvia.eu/index.html|title=Latvia in decisive 'yes' to EU|date=September 20, 2003|website=CNN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031008115551/http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/09/20/latvia.eu/index.html|archive-date=October 8, 2003|url-status=dead|access-date=November 3, 2016}}</ref>
* [[September 24]] – The [[Hubble Space Telescope]] starts the [[Hubble Ultra-Deep Field]], making 800 exposures, until January 16, 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/astro/deepfield.html|title=The Hubble Space Telescope "Ultra Deep Field" View|website=hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu|access-date=2016-07-02|archive-date=May 29, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070529154019/http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Astro/deepfield.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[September 27]] – [[SMART-1]], an [[European Space Agency|ESA]] spaceprobe and ESA's first mission to the moon, is launched from [[Kourou]], [[French Guiana]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.space.com/532-europes-moon-probe-enter-lunar-orbit.html|title=Europe's First Moon Probe to Enter Lunar Orbit|last=Malik|first=Tariq|date=November 12, 2004|website=Space.com|access-date=July 2, 2016|archive-date=September 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903134701/http://www.space.com/532-europes-moon-probe-enter-lunar-orbit.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[September 28]] – [[2003 Italy blackout]]: Power goes out across the [[Italian Peninsula]] for approximately 12 hours, affecting nearly all of the country's 57 million people.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-09-28 |title=Italy recovering from big blackout |url=https://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/09/28/italy.blackout/index.html |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=CNN |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214031003/https://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/09/28/italy.blackout/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===October===
* [[October 1]] – The popular and controversial English-language [[imageboard]] [[4chan]] is launched.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/35752705/4chan-founder-moot-joins-google-but-why/|title=4chan founder 'moot' joins Google. But why?|date=March 8, 2016|website=BBC Newsbeat|access-date=August 12, 2019|archive-date=August 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812160315/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/35752705/4chan-founder-moot-joins-google-but-why|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 4]] – [[Maxim restaurant suicide bombing]]: A Palestinian suicide bomber attacks a restaurant in [[Haifa]], Israel, killing at least 19 people.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-10-04 |title=Eyewitness: 'Dead children and babies' |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3164380.stm |access-date=2022-12-13 |archive-date=August 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825212537/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3164380.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[October 5]] – [[Israel]]i warplanes [[Ain es Saheb airstrike|strike]] alleged Islamic jihad bases inside [[Syria]]n territory, the first Israeli attack on the country since the 1973 [[Yom Kippur War]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-strikes-base-inside-syria/|title=Israel Strikes Base Inside Syria|last=Crean|first=Ellen|date=October 5, 2003|website=CBS News|access-date=July 2, 2016|archive-date=June 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629193907/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-strikes-base-inside-syria/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 10]]–[[November 22]] – The [[2003 Rugby World Cup]] is held in Australia and is won by [[England national rugby union team|England]] who defeated [[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]] in [[2003 Rugby World Cup final|the final]] after extra time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tntsports.co.uk/rugby/unbreakable-england-2003-documentary-film-world-cup-tnt-sports-quest-how-to-watch_sto20060236/story.shtml|publisher=[[TNT Sport]]|title=Unbreakable England 2003 documentary film}}</ref>
* [[October 15]] – China launches ''[[Shenzhou 5]]'', their first [[human spaceflight]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.people.cn/200310/15/eng20031015_126094.shtml|title=Shenzhou-5 launch: long-cherished dream realized|date=October 15, 2003|website=People|access-date=July 2, 2016|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817091400/http://en.people.cn/200310/15/eng20031015_126094.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 24]] – [[Concorde]] makes its last commercial flight, bringing the era of airliner [[Supersonic transport|supersonic travel]] to an end.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11477-2003Oct24.html|title=Final Concorde Flight Lands at Heathrow|last=Lawless|first=Jill|date=October 24, 2003|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=July 2, 2016|archive-date=May 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513093402/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11477-2003Oct24.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 27]] – [[27 October 2003 Baghdad bombings]]: A series of car bombings occur in [[Baghdad]], Iraq, targeting multiple police stations and a Red Cross headquarters. Approximately 40 people are killed.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2003-10-27 |title=Up to 40 die in Baghdad attacks |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/oct/27/iraq |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=August 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827162900/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/oct/27/iraq |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[October 31]] – [[Mahathir Mohamad]] steps down as [[Prime Minister of Malaysia]] after 22 years in power. He is succeeded by [[Abdullah Ahmad Badawi]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Perlez |first=Jane |date=2003-11-01 |title=Mahathir, Malaysia's Autocratic Modernizer, Steps Down |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/01/world/mahathir-malaysia-s-autocratic-modernizer-steps-down.html |access-date=2022-12-14 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214011516/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/01/world/mahathir-malaysia-s-autocratic-modernizer-steps-down.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===November===
* [[November 12]] – [[2003 Nasiriyah bombing|A suicide bombing]] at an [[Italy|Italian]] military police headquarters in [[Nasiriyah]], Iraq, kills 17 Italian military police officers and nine Iraqi civilians.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/12/international/middleeast/12CND-IRAQ.html|title=At Least 26 Killed in a Bombing of an Italian Compound in Iraq|last=Burns|first=John F.|date=2003-11-12|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-07-02|archive-date=August 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819090727/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/12/international/middleeast/12CND-IRAQ.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[November 14]] – The [[dwarf planet]] [[Sedna (dwarf planet)|Sedna]] is discovered by a team of astronomers led by [[Michael E. Brown]] from the [[Palomar Observatory]].<ref name="2004-E45">{{cite web
| title = MPEC 2004-E45 : 2003 VB12
| publisher = IAU: Minor Planet Center
| url = https://minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K04/K04E45.html
| date = 15 March 2004
| access-date = 27 March 2018
| archive-date = 28 October 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211028100038/https://minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K04/K04E45.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
* [[November 22]]
**[[2003 Baghdad DHL attempted shootdown incident|Baghdad DHL attempted shootdown incident]]: Shortly after takeoff, a [[DHL Express]] cargo plane is struck on the left wing by a surface-to-air missile fired by the [[Islamic Army in Iraq]] and forced to land. All three Crew members survive with injuries.
**[[England national rugby union team|England]] became the first team from the northern hemisphere to lift the [[Webb Ellis Cup|Rugby World Cup]] after beating Australia 20–17.
* [[November 23]]
** [[President of Georgia|Georgian President]] [[Eduard Shevardnadze]] resigns after [[Rose Revolution|widespread protests]] engulf the country following a disputed [[2003 Georgian parliamentary election|parliamentary election]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/europe-july-dec03-georgia_11-24|title=Georgian Leader Resigns Amid Peaceful Opposition Standoff|date=November 24, 2003|website=PBS Newshour|access-date=July 2, 2016|archive-date=August 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819032848/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/europe-july-dec03-georgia_11-24/|url-status=live}}</ref>
** A ceasefire takes place at the [[Line of Control]] in Kashmir.<ref name=":3" />{{Rp|page=95}}
* [[November 26]] – The supersonic passenger jet, [[Concorde]], makes its last ever flight from [[Heathrow Airport]] in London to [[Bristol Filton Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aerospacebristol.org/|title=Aerospace Bristol|website=Aerospace Bristol|access-date=August 3, 2017|archive-date=August 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817044430/http://aerospacebristol.org/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.edn.com/electronics-blogs/edn-moments/4402001/Concorde-makes-its-final-flight--November-26--2003|title=Concorde makes its final flight, November 26, 2003|last=Deffree|first=Suzanne|date=November 26, 2017|website=EDN Network|access-date=January 12, 2018|archive-date=January 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113093232/https://www.edn.com/electronics-blogs/edn-moments/4402001/Concorde-makes-its-final-flight--November-26--2003|url-status=live}}</ref>

===December===
* [[December 5]] – [[2003 Stavropol train bombing]]: A suicide bomber attacks a train in [[Stavropol Krai]], killing 46 people.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-12-22 |title=Death of another victim takes Russian train blast toll to 46 |language=en-AU |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-12-22/death-of-another-victim-takes-russian-train-blast/109468 |access-date=2022-12-13 |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213183332/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-12-22/death-of-another-victim-takes-russian-train-blast/109468 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[December 12]] – [[Paul Martin]] becomes the 21st [[Prime Minister of Canada]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-12-12 |title=Martin is new Canadian PM |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2003/12/12/martin-is-new-canadian-pm |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213211544/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2003/12/12/martin-is-new-canadian-pm |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[December 13]] – [[Saddam Hussein]], the former [[president of Iraq]], [[Capture of Saddam Hussein|is captured]] in the small town of [[Ad-Dawr]] by the U.S. Army.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.thenation.com/article/december-13-2003-saddam-hussein-is-captured|title=December 13, 2003: Saddam Hussein Is Captured|last=Kreitner|first=Richard|date=December 13, 2015|website=The Nation|access-date=July 2, 2016|archive-date=June 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619084506/http://www.thenation.com/article/december-13-2003-saddam-hussein-is-captured/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[December 16]] – Google India Private Limited is officially incorporated in [[India]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sengupta |first=Devina |date=2010-06-21 |title=Google India Pvt Ltd |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/google-india-pvt-ltd/articleshow/6071585.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-01-01 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>
* [[December 19]]
** [[Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya|Libya]] agrees to eliminate all of its materials, equipment, and programs aimed at [[Libya and weapons of mass destruction|producing weapons of mass destruction]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nti.org/learn/countries/libya/nuclear|title=Libya: Nuclear Program Overview|website=Nuclear Threat Initiative|access-date=July 2, 2016|archive-date=July 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712104555/http://www.nti.org/learn/countries/libya/nuclear/|url-status=live}}</ref>
** The ''Beagle 2'' Mars lander deploys, but contact is lost.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-01-16 |title=Beagle-2 lander found on Mars |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Beagle-2_lander_found_on_Mars |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=www.esa.int |language=en |archive-date=December 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213172001/https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Beagle-2_lander_found_on_Mars |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[December 23]]
** The [[World Tourism Organization]] becomes a specialized agency of the [[United Nations]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/tourism-takes-its-place-at-united-nations|title=Tourism takes its place at United Nations|date=February 8, 2004|website=Kamloops This Week|access-date=July 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816185801/http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/tourism-takes-its-place-at-united-nations/|archive-date=August 16, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** [[PetroChina]] Chuandongbei natural gas field explosion, Guoqiao, Kai County, [[Chongqing]], China, killing at least 234.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/26/world/gas-well-explosion-and-fumes-kill-191-in-china.html|title=Gas Well Explosion and Fumes Kill 191 in China|last=Kahn|first=Joseph|date=2003-12-26|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-12-29|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828172413/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/26/world/gas-well-explosion-and-fumes-kill-191-in-china.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[December 26]] – The 6.6 {{M|w}} [[2003 Bam earthquake|Bam earthquake]] shakes [[Iran]], killing approximately 50,000 people.<ref name=":10" />
* [[December 29]]
** The last known speaker of the [[Akkala Sámi language]] dies, rendering it extinct.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.org/thisday/dec29/akkala-sami-language-becomes-extinct/family/|title=Endangered Sami Language Becomes Extinct|date=2014-11-20|work=National Geographic Society|access-date=2018-01-12|archive-date=October 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021131912/https://www.nationalgeographic.org/thisday/dec29/akkala-sami-language-becomes-extinct/family/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** A world-record ground-level UV index of 43.3 is detected at Bolivia's Licancabur volcano.

==Births and deaths==
{{Main|Category:2003 births|Deaths in 2003}}

==Nobel Prizes==
[[File:Nobel medal.png|right|120px]]
* [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry|Chemistry]] – [[Peter Agre]], [[Roderick MacKinnon]]
* [[Nobel Prize in Literature|Literature]] – [[J. M. Coetzee]]
* [[Nobel Peace Prize|Peace]] – [[Shirin Ebadi]]
* [[Nobel Prize in Physics|Physics]] – [[Alexei Abrikosov (physicist)|Alexei Abrikosov]], [[Vitaly Ginzburg]], Sir [[Anthony James Leggett]]
* [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine|Physiology or Medicine]] – [[Paul Lauterbur]], Sir [[Peter Mansfield]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Modern history}}
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* [http://www.fimoculous.com/year-review-2003.cfm 2003 Year in Review] – comprehensive listing of 2003 reviews and lists
* [http://www.google.com/press/zeitgeist2003.html 2003 Year-End Google Zeitgeist] – Google's Yearly List of Major Events and Top Searches for 2003
{{Events by month links}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2003}}
[[Category:2003| ]]