World Events in 2005
7 July London Bombings
On 7 July, four suicide bombers struck London's transport network during the morning rush hour, killing 52 commuters and injuring over 700. Three bombs hit the Underground and one struck a double-decker bus in Tavistock Square. It was the UK's worst terrorist attack.
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina struck the US Gulf Coast on 29 August, devastating New Orleans after its levees failed. Over 1,800 people died and hundreds of thousands were displaced. The federal government's slow response became a defining failure of the Bush presidency.
Death of Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II died on 2 April after a long illness, ending a 26-year papacy that had helped bring down communism in Eastern Europe. An estimated 4 million people travelled to Rome for his funeral. He was succeeded by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI.
London Wins 2012 Olympic Bid
On 6 July — the day before the 7/7 bombings — London was announced as the host of the 2012 Olympic Games, beating Paris in a dramatic final vote. The juxtaposition of jubilation and tragedy within 24 hours became one of the decade's most poignant moments.
Kashmir Earthquake
A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Pakistani-administered Kashmir on 8 October, killing over 87,000 people and leaving 3.5 million homeless. It was one of the deadliest earthquakes in South Asian history.
Music in 2005
"Is This the Way to Amarillo"
Tony Christie ft. Peter Kay
Originally a 1971 hit, the song was re-released for Comic Relief with a Peter Kay video featuring celebrity cameos. It spent seven weeks at number one and became the UK's best-selling single of 2005.
"We Belong Together"
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey's triumphant comeback single spent 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the biggest hit of 2005 and one of the longest-running number ones of the decade.
#1 Film of 2005
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Box Office: $896 million worldwide
The fourth Harry Potter film took on a darker tone as the franchise matured with its audience, featuring the Triwizard Tournament and the return of Voldemort in a climax that shocked younger viewers.
Born in 2005
Ethan Nwaneri
English footballer who became the youngest ever Premier League player at 15 years old for Arsenal
Chloe Schnapp
American social media personality and twin sister of Stranger Things actor Noah Schnapp
Daisy Cleverley
Young New Zealand footballer making waves in women's football
Alejandro Garnacho
Argentine-Spanish footballer who broke through at Manchester United as a dynamic young winger
Lost in 2005
Pope John Paul II
Head of the Catholic Church for 26 years who helped end communism in Eastern Europe
Age 84
Rosa Parks
American civil rights activist whose refusal to give up her bus seat helped spark the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Age 92
George Best
Northern Irish football legend considered one of the greatest players ever, who starred for Manchester United in the 1960s
Age 59
Richard Pryor
Groundbreaking American comedian and actor who influenced generations of stand-up comics
Age 65
Arthur Miller
American playwright who wrote Death of a Salesman and The Crucible
Age 89
Technology in 2005
YouTube was founded in February and launched to the public later in the year, transforming how video was shared online. Google Maps launched. The Xbox 360 arrived as the first next-gen console. Reddit was founded, and social media was becoming central to daily life.
- ● YouTube founded by three former PayPal employees
- ● Google Maps and Google Earth launched
- ● Xbox 360 launched as the first seventh-generation console
- ● Reddit founded by Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian
Cost of Living in 2005
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £157,000 | $197,000 |
| Average salary | £22,500 | $44,000 |
| Pint of milk | £0.29 | $0.40 |
| Loaf of bread | £0.62 | $1.10 |
| Dozen eggs | £1.45 | $1.35 |
| Pint of beer | £2.20 | $3.30 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | £3.85 | $2.30 |
| Cinema ticket | £5.25 | $6.41 |
Shop 2005 memorabilia on eBay/Amazon
The Zeitgeist of 2005
A year of extreme highs and lows. Live 8 reprised Live Aid for a new generation, and London's joyous Olympic bid was followed immediately by terrorist horror. Hurricane Katrina's aftermath revealed shocking inequality. Skinny jeans began replacing bootcut, and emo culture went mainstream. The Champions League final between Liverpool and AC Milan produced the greatest comeback in the tournament's history.
In the News in 2005
Pope John Paul II died after 26 years and was succeeded by Benedict XVI. Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles. The IRA formally ended its armed campaign. YouTube was founded. The Ashes returned to England after 18 years in a legendary cricket series.