Featured moment
MySpace Launches
The social networking site became the dominant online community, transforming how young people connected, shared music, and expressed themselves.
War, wonder, and new connections.
The Iraq War began, the space shuttle Columbia was lost, but MySpace launched and Finding Nemo found its audience.
The Cost of Living in 2003
Gallon of Gas
$1.98
Loaf of Bread
$1.06
Gallon of Milk
$3.03
World Population
6.36 billion
Featured moment
Iraq War Begins
A US-led coalition invaded Iraq, beginning a conflict that would reshape the Middle East and global politics for decades.
Featured moment
Finding Nemo
Pixar's underwater adventure became the highest-grossing animated film at the time, earning $940M worldwide.
The wider picture
More from 2003
A few more things worth remembering.
Music
iTunes Store Opens
Apple launched legal music downloads at 99 cents per song, transforming the music industry.
Science & Space
Human Genome Sequencing Completed
The Human Genome Project was declared complete, mapping 99% of the gene-containing human genome.
Cinema & TV
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
The trilogy finale swept all 11 Academy Awards it was nominated for, including Best Picture.
Science & Space
Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster
The shuttle broke apart during re-entry on February 1, killing all seven crew members.
Gaming
Call of Duty Released
Infinity Ward's WWII shooter launched what would become the biggest FPS franchise in gaming history.
Internet
LinkedIn Launches
The professional networking platform went live, eventually becoming the world's largest professional network.
Literature
The Da Vinci Code Published
Dan Brown's thriller became a global publishing phenomenon, selling over 80 million copies.
Technology
Concorde Makes Final Flight
The supersonic passenger jet flew for the last time, ending an era of faster-than-sound commercial travel.
Pop Culture
Arnold Schwarzenegger Becomes Governor
The Terminator star won California's recall election, becoming the state's 38th governor.
You arrivedin 2003.
The longer view
This was only the opening scene.
Follow the world as it changed around you, from 2003 to today.