2004 World History
Viktor Yushchenko
(1954– )
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2004
- Former Enron CFO Andrew Fastow pleads guilty to defrauding Enron
(Jan. 13). Bush proposes ambitious space program that includes
flights to the Moon, Mars, and beyond (Jan. 14). Iraq weapons
investigator David Kay resigns, says
there’s no evidence of weapons of mass destruction, one of the
Bush administration’s chief reasons for launching war in Iraq (Jan.
23). About one third of Iran's Parliament steps
down to protest hard-line Guardian Council’s banning of more than
2,000 reformists from running in parliamentary elections (Feb.
1). A.Q. Khan, founder of Pakistan's nuclear
program, admits he sold nuclear-weapons designs to other countries,
including North Korea, Iran, and Libya (Feb. 4).
Armed rebels in Haiti force President Aristide to resign and
flee the country (Feb. 29). John Kerry secures
Democratic nomination after winning nine out of ten primaries and
caucuses (March 2). Spain is rocked by
terrorist attacks, killing more than 200. Al-Qaeda takes
responsibility (March 11). Spain's governing Popular Party loses
election to opposition Socialists. Outcome seen as a reaction to
terrorist attacks days before and Popular Party's support of the
U.S.-led war in Iraq (March 14). North Atlantic Treaty Organization
formally admits seven new countries: Bulgaria,
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia (March
29). U.S. troops launch offensive in Falluja in response to killing
and mutilation on March 31 of four U.S. civilian contractors. (April
5–May 1). Israeli prime minister Sharon announces plan to
unilaterally withdraw from Gaza
Strip (April 12). Greek Cypriots reject UN reunification plan
with Turkish Cypriots (April 24). U.S. media release graphic
photos of American soldiers abusing and sexually humiliating Iraqi
prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison. Images
spark outrage around the world (April 30). Gay marriages begin in
Massachusetts, the first
state in the country to legalize such unions (May 17). Sudan rebels (SPLA) and
government reach accord to end 21-year civil war. However, separate war
in western Darfur region between
Arab militias and black Africans continues unabated (May 26).
U.S. hands over power to Iraqi interim government; Iyad Allawi becomes prime
minister (June 28). In Rasul v. Bush, Supreme Court
rules that “enemy combatants” held at Guantánamo Bay,
Cuba, are legally entitled to file petitions for writs of habeas corpus;
and in Hamdi v. Rumsfeld, court rules that the detention
of a U.S. citizen held as an enemy combatant is invalid, rejecting
government's claim that the executive branch has unreviewable authority
in time of war (June 28). Israeli Supreme Court orders removal of
part of security barrier dividing Israeli and Palestinian lands (June
30). Senate Intelligence Committee reports that intelligence on
Iraq's weapons programs was “overstated” and flawed (July
5). Sept. 11 commission harshly criticizes government’s
handling of terrorist attacks (July 22). Democratic National
Convention in Boston nominates John Kerry for
president (July 26–29). Security Council demands Sudanese
government disarm militias in Darfur that are massacring civilians
(July 30). Florida hit by hurricanes Bonnie
(Aug. 12) and Charley (Aug. 13). Summer Olympics take place in Athens, Greece (Aug.
13–29). Venezuelan president
Hugo Chavez survives
recall referendum (Aug. 16). Pentagon-sponsored Schlesinger
report rejects idea that Abu Ghraib prison abuse was work of a few
aberrant soldiers, and asserts there were “fundamental failures
throughout all levels of command” (Aug. 24). Republican
Convention in New York renominates President Bush (Aug.
30–Sept. 2). Chechen terrorists take about 1,200 schoolchildren and others hostage in Beslan, Russia;
340 people die when militants detonate explosives (Sept.
1–3). Hurricane Ivan ravages U.S. south (Sept. 15).
U.S.’s final report on Iraq’s weapons finds no WMDs
(Sept. 16). UN Atomic Energy Agency tells Iran to stop enriching uranium; a nascent nuclear weapons program
suspected (Sept. 18). Bush eases trade restrictions on Libya
(Sept. 20). Congress extends tax cuts due to expire at the end of
2005 (Sept. 23). Hurricane Jeanne hits
Florida (Sept. 26). 380 tons of explosives reported missing in
Iraq (Oct. 25). Bush reelected
president (Nov. 2). U.S. troops launch attack on Falluja,
stronghold of the Iraqi insurgency (Nov. 8). Yasir Arafat dies in
Paris (Nov. 11). Ukraine presidential
election declared fraudulent (Nov. 21). Red Cross alleges abuse
at U.S.-run Guantánamo prison (Nov. 30). Hamid Karzai inaugurated
as Afghanistan's first
popularly elected president (Dec. 7). Missile test fails;
setback for Bush administration's missile defense system (Dec.
15). Massive protests by supporters of opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko's lead
to a new Ukrainian election; Yushchenko eventually declared prime
minister (Dec. 26). Enormous tsunami devastates
Asia; at least 225,000 killed (Dec. 26).
Fact Monster/Information Please®
Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
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