WHAT ALL HAPPENED MAY TO DECEMBER 2004
Find out what all happened May to December 2004

The U.S. town of Hallam, Nebraska is wiped out by a powerful F4 tornado (part of the May 2004 tornado outbreak sequence) which kills one resident, and becomes the widest tornado on record at 2.5 miles (4.0 km) wide; a record that wouldn't be broken until a the El Reno tornado on May 31, 2013. (22. May 2004)

A fire in the República Cromagnon nightclub in Buenos Aires, Argentina kills 194. (30. December 2004)

The cornerstone of the Freedom Tower is laid on the site of the World Trade Center in New York City. (4. July 2004)

The AIM-54 Phoenix, the primary missile for the F-14 Tomcat, is retired from service. Almost two years later, the Tomcat is retired. (30. September 2004)

Eighty-nine passengers die after two airliners explode after flying out of Domodedovo International Airport, near Moscow. The explosions are caused by suicide bombers (reportedly female) from the Russian Republic of Chechnya. (24. August 2004)

The first legal same-sex marriages in the U.S. are performed in the state of Massachusetts. (17. May 2004)

The Civil Partnership Act comes into effect in the United Kingdom, and the first civil partnership is registered there. (5. December 2004)

Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia join the European Union, celebrated at the residence of the Irish President in Dublin. (1. May 2004)

The Constitutional Court of South Korea overturns the impeachment of President Roh Moo-hyun. (14. May 2004)

The first images of a live giant squid in its natural habitat are taken 600 miles south of Tokyo. (30. September 2004)

American businessman Nick Berg is beheaded by Islamic militants. The act is recorded on videotape and released on the Internet. (7. May 2004)

The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi, the largest religious building in Georgia, is consecrated. (23. November 2004)

The Cuzco Declaration is signed in Cuzco, Peru, establishing the South American Community of Nations. (8. December 2004)

The first Venus Transit in modern history takes place, the previous one being in 1882. (8. June 2004)

The second round of the Ukrainian presidential election is held, giving rise to massive protests and controversy over the election's integrity. (21. November 2004)

Longtime Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings of Salt Lake City, Utah, finally loses, leaving him with US$2,520,700 , television's biggest game show winnings. (30. November 2004)

The National Assembly of Serbia unanimously adopts new state symbols for Serbia: Bože pravde becomes the new anthem and the coat of arms is adopted for the whole country. (17. August 2004)

Pope John Paul II returns the relics of Saint John Chrysostom to the Eastern Orthodox Church. (27. November 2004)

Iraq War: The interim government of Iraq calls for a 60-day "state of emergency" as U.S. forces storm the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah. (7. November 2004)

Iraq War: A suicide bomber killed 22 at the forward operating base next to the main U.S. military airfield at Mosul, Iraq, the single deadliest suicide attack on American soldiers. (21. December 2004)