🇬🇧United Kingdom · 00s
Hunting Ban and Facebook
Fox hunting was banned, Facebook was born, and Britain debated civil liberties in the age of terror.
5 milestones of 2004
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.
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 — honour victims, expose exploitation
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 — celebrate as progress
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 — factual, acknowledge both contributions and tensions
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 £390 million.
Natural disaster — honour all victims
70% local · 30% international
Shaun of the Dead
Edgar Wright — Simon Pegg fights zombies in Crouch End. British comedy genius.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Alfonso Cuarón — The best Potter film. Darker, more artistic. Gary Oldman as Sirius.
Shrek 2
Andrew Adamson — Ogre sequel. Massive UK box office. Donkey and Puss in Boots.
Vera Drake
Mike Leigh — Imelda Staunton. Backstreet abortionist in 1950s London.
The Incredibles
Brad Bird — Pixar's superhero family. Smart, funny, beautifully animated.
The X Factor
2004-2018 — Simon Cowell's juggernaut. Steve Brookstein won series 1.
Shameless
2004-2013 — Frank Gallagher on a Chatsworth estate. Manchester chaos.
Strictly Come Dancing
2004-present — Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly. Saturday night sequins.
Athens Olympics
Aug 2004 — Kelly Holmes won double gold. Amir Khan won silver aged 17.
Skins (development)
2004 — Bristol teen drama in development — would redefine youth TV.
Currency: GBP
Inflation: 1.3%
House prices still surging. Low inflation. EU expansion bringing new workers. The credit boom was inflating.
Inflation-adjusted values
Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook — British students would join soon.
Flickr
Photo sharing site launched — social media growing.
Gmail
Google launched free email with 1GB storage — game-changing.
iPod Mini
Smaller, cheaper iPod — everyone had white earbuds.
Broadband
Over 8 million UK broadband connections — always-on internet.
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