Nov 2
George W. Bush Reelected
Bush defeated John Kerry with 50.7% of the vote. The Iraq War, terrorism fears, and 'moral values' drove the result. America was deeply divided — red states vs. blue states.
🇺🇸United States · 00s
Red vs. Blue
Bush wins again, Facebook launches, and the Red Sox break the curse.
What happened
5 milestones of 2004
Feb 4
Facebook Launches
Mark Zuckerberg launched 'TheFacebook' from his Harvard dorm room. Within months it spread to other colleges. Within years it would connect — and divide — the world.
Apr 28
Abu Ghraib Prison Abuse Scandal
Photos of US soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib shocked the world. The images undermined America's moral authority and fueled anti-American sentiment globally.
war crimes
Dec 26
Indian Ocean Tsunami
A 9.1-magnitude earthquake triggered a massive tsunami across the Indian Ocean, killing 230,000 people in 14 countries. Americans donated over $1 billion in relief.
natural disaster
Oct 27
Red Sox Break the Curse
The Boston Red Sox won the World Series for the first time since 1918, sweeping the Cardinals. They had come back from 3-0 down against the Yankees in the ALCS. The Curse of the Bambino was over.
What was playing
70% local · 30% international
What was in cinemas
Shrek 2
Andrew Adamson — The highest-grossing film of the year. Shrek was bigger than ever.
The Incredibles
Brad Bird — Pixar's superhero family film. Better than most actual superhero movies.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Michel Gondry — Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet erase each other. The most original love story of the decade.
Million Dollar Baby
Clint Eastwood — Won Best Picture. Hilary Swank boxed. The ending devastated audiences.
Napoleon Dynamite
Jared Hess — 'Vote for Pedro.' Made for $400,000. Became the decade's biggest cult hit.
What was on TV
Lost
2004-2010 — A plane crash on a mysterious island. The most discussed pilot episode in TV history.
Desperate Housewives
2004-2012 — Murder and secrets on Wisteria Lane. Sunday nights belonged to ABC.
Entourage
2004-2011 — Hollywood fantasy for bros. Vincent Chase lived the dream.
American Idol
2002-2016 — Still #1. Fantasia Barrino won. America kept voting.
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
1999-2015 — Young Americans got their news from a comedy show. Stewart was trusted more than CNN.
How much things cost
Currency: USD
Gallon of milk$3.18
Gallon of gas$1.88
New house (median)$221,000
New car (average)$20,500
Loaf of bread$0.97
Movie ticket$6.21
Inflation: 2.7%
The economy was growing. Housing prices were rising fast. The bubble was inflating.
Then vs. Now
Inflation-adjusted values
Gallon of milkBLS
2004 (USD)
$3.18
→
Today's value ($)
--
Gallon of gasEIA
2004 (USD)
$1.88
→
Today's value ($)
--
New house (median)Census Bureau
2004 (USD)
$221,000
→
Today's value ($)
--
New car (average)BLS
2004 (USD)
$20,500
→
Today's value ($)
--
Loaf of breadBLS
2004 (USD)
$0.97
→
Today's value ($)
--
Movie ticketNATO
2004 (USD)
$6.21
→
Today's value ($)
--
Technology
Facebook launched
From a Harvard dorm room to the world's largest social network.
Gmail launched
Google offered 1 GB of free email storage — 500x more than competitors. Everyone wanted an invite.
Mars rovers Spirit & Opportunity
Both rovers landed safely and began exploring. Opportunity found evidence of ancient water.
World of Warcraft
Blizzard launched WoW. 12 million subscribers would make it the most popular MMO ever.
SpaceShipOne
The first privately funded manned spaceflight. The commercial space age began.
Pop Culture
Fashion
Popped collarsUgg boots with mini skirtsOversized sunglasses
Slang
That's hot— Cool, attractive (Paris Hilton)
Bounce— To leave
Peeps— People, friends
Behavior
- Janet Jackson's Super Bowl 'wardrobe malfunction' led to broadcast crackdowns
- Red vs. blue state division became the defining frame for American politics
- The Red Sox comeback became the greatest sports story in a generation
Share
Download or share cards from this year
1200×630 · WhatsApp/Facebook