What 2003 Was Like

The year of 2003 . . . 

• The Department of Homeland Security began operating. Both the U.S. Customs Service and the U.S. Secret Service were moved to the newly formed department.
• Apple launched iTunes and sold one million songs during the first week.
• Lord of the Rings: The Return Of The King won 11 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Song, Best Visual Effects, and Best Costume Design.
• Voters recall Governor Gray Davis from office and elect Arnold Schwarzenegger to succeed him.
• Basketball legend Michael Jordan retired.
• Inflation was at a 37-year low of 1.3%, unemployment was 6.0%, and the retail price for a gallon of gas averaged $1.59.
• A first-class stamp cost $0.37.
• On March 19, the United States and Great Britain launched a war against Iraq.
• Wimbledon (men/women) winners were Roger Federer/Serena Williams.
• Popular baby names were Jacob, Aiden, Ethan, Matthew, Emily, Emma, Madison, and Hannah.
• On May 5, American business and employment-oriented service LinkedIn was launched.
• The Devil In the White City by Erik Larson was released.
• Died . . . Johnny Cash, country music singer and songwriter, and Fred Rogers, host of the Emmy Award-winning children’s show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
• In December the Motorola Razr was introduced to the market. Flip-phones!!!
• On January 3, Greta Thunberg, Swedish climate activist, was born.
• Myspace.com was launched.
• “He’s just not that into you.” -Jack Berger, Sex In The City.
• Every program was installed on your computer. “The cloud”????
• Landlines still essential . . . with answering machines.
• Meigs Field closed after having large X-shaped gouges dug into the runway surface by bulldozers in the middle of the night.
• February 17, the E2 nightclub stampede occurred.
• June 29, the Chicago balcony collapsed.
• People magazine’s sexiest man alive was Johnny Depp.
• The top song was Hey Ya! by OutKast.
• The funny guy was Dane Cook. The funnier guy was Dave Chappelle.
• March 28, Jesse White approved and placed on record the articles of incorporation of Topiarius