πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§United Kingdom Β· 00s

Hunting Ban and Facebook

Fox hunting was banned, Facebook was born, and Britain debated civil liberties in the age of terror.

What happened

5 milestones of 2004

Nov 18

Hunting Act β€” Fox Hunting Banned

After years of protest and counter-protest, the Hunting Act banned fox hunting with dogs in England and Wales. The Countryside Alliance was furious. Hunt saboteurs celebrated. The class war over rural Britain reached its climax.

Feb 5

Morecambe Bay Cockle Pickers Tragedy

23 Chinese cockle pickers drowned in Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, when they were caught by incoming tides. They were illegal workers exploited by a gangmaster. The tragedy exposed the hidden world of migrant labour exploitation.

Migrant worker deaths β€” honour victims, expose exploitation

Nov 18

Civil Partnership Act

The Civil Partnership Act gave same-sex couples legal recognition and rights similar to marriage. The first ceremonies took place in December 2005. A major step towards marriage equality.

LGBTQ+ rights β€” celebrate as progress

May 1

EU Expansion β€” Eastern European Migration

Ten new countries joined the EU. Britain was one of only three countries to allow immediate free movement. Hundreds of thousands of Polish and other Eastern European workers arrived. It would reshape British society and eventually fuel Brexit.

Immigration β€” factual, acknowledge both contributions and tensions

Dec 26

Indian Ocean Tsunami

A massive tsunami devastated South and Southeast Asia. Over 230,000 people died, including 149 Britons. The Boxing Day disaster triggered the biggest humanitarian response in history. Britain raised over Β£390 million.

Natural disaster β€” honour all victims

What was playing

70% local Β· 30% international

What was in cinemas

Shaun of the Dead

Shaun of the Dead

Edgar Wright β€” Simon Pegg fights zombies in Crouch End. British comedy genius.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Alfonso CuarΓ³n β€” The best Potter film. Darker, more artistic. Gary Oldman as Sirius.

Shrek 2

Shrek 2

Andrew Adamson β€” Ogre sequel. Massive UK box office. Donkey and Puss in Boots.

Vera Drake

Vera Drake

Mike Leigh β€” Imelda Staunton. Backstreet abortionist in 1950s London.

The Incredibles

The Incredibles

Brad Bird β€” Pixar's superhero family. Smart, funny, beautifully animated.

What was on TV

The X Factor

2004-2018 β€” Simon Cowell's juggernaut. Steve Brookstein won series 1.

Shameless

2004-2013 β€” Frank Gallagher on a Chatsworth estate. Manchester chaos.

Strictly Come Dancing

2004-present β€” Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly. Saturday night sequins.

Athens Olympics

Aug 2004 β€” Kelly Holmes won double gold. Amir Khan won silver aged 17.

Skins (development)

2004 β€” Bristol teen drama in development β€” would redefine youth TV.

How much things cost

Currency: GBP

Pint of milk39p
Loaf of bread66p
Pint of bitterΒ£2.30
Average houseΒ£154,147
Litre of petrol78p
Cinema ticketΒ£5.40

Inflation: 1.3%

House prices still surging. Low inflation. EU expansion bringing new workers. The credit boom was inflating.

Then vs. Now

Inflation-adjusted values

Pint of milkONS
2004 (GBP)
39p
β†’
Today's value (Β£)
--
Loaf of breadONS
2004 (GBP)
66p
β†’
Today's value (Β£)
--
Pint of bitterBBPA
2004 (GBP)
Β£2.30
β†’
Today's value (Β£)
--
Average houseONS
2004 (GBP)
Β£154,147
β†’
Today's value (Β£)
--
Litre of petrolAA
2004 (GBP)
78p
β†’
Today's value (Β£)
--
Cinema ticketBFI
2004 (GBP)
Β£5.40
β†’
Today's value (Β£)
--

Technology

Facebook

Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook β€” British students would join soon.

Flickr

Photo sharing site launched β€” social media growing.

Gmail

Google launched free email with 1GB storage β€” game-changing.

iPod Mini

Smaller, cheaper iPod β€” everyone had white earbuds.

Broadband

Over 8 million UK broadband connections β€” always-on internet.

Pop Culture

Fashion

Indie rock revival β€” skinny jeans, Converse, band t-shirtsUgg boots ubiquitousOversized sunglasses β€” the celebrity look

Slang

Jokesβ€” Funny, ridiculous
Peakβ€” Bad, unfortunate
Bareβ€” Very, a lot of

Behavior

  • Eastern European migration began reshaping British towns
  • Fox hunting ban crystallized urban-rural tensions
  • Tsunami response showed British generosity at its finest

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Card og de 2004

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