Dashed left edge = started before July 2003 ·
Dashed right edge = ongoing beyond July 2003
Events in July 2003 32
1903 – 2003Bob Hope (1903-2003)Died 27 July 2003, aged 100Bob Hope was a comedian and entertainer whose career ran from vaudeville through radio, film and television across the 20th century. He hosted the Academy Awards ceremony a record number of times and performed for US troops overseas for nearly 50 years. He died two months after his 100th birthday.
1907 – 2003Compay Segundo (1907-2003)Died 13 July 2003, aged 95Compay Segundo was a Cuban guitarist, singer and composer whose career revived in his late eighties through the Buena Vista Social Club project and Wim Wenders's 1999 film. His best-known composition is 'Chan Chan'.
1908 – 2003Buddy Ebsen (1908-2003)American dancer and actor, the first Tin Man and later Jed Clampett and Barnaby Jones.
1923 – 2003Sam Phillips (1923-2003)Died 30 July 2003, aged 80Sam Phillips founded Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded early sides by Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King and Ike Turner before discovering Elvis Presley in 1954. He also recorded Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis, shaping the emergence of rock and roll.
1925 – 2003Celia Cruz (1925-2003)Died 16 July 2003, aged 77Celia Cruz was a Cuban singer known as the Queen of Salsa, with a powerful voice and a career of more than 50 years spanning the Sonora Matancera, the Fania All-Stars and a long solo run. She left Cuba after the 1959 revolution and never returned, becoming a symbol of the exile community.
1938 – 2003Volkswagen BeetleThe People's CarDesigned as an affordable car for German families, it became one of the world's best-selling vehicles.
1944 – 2003David Kelly (1944-2003)Died 17 July 2003, aged 59David Kelly was a British weapons expert and former UN inspector who was identified as the source for a BBC report alleging that the government had exaggerated the case for war in Iraq. He was found dead days after testifying to a parliamentary committee; a public inquiry ruled it a suicide.
1944 – 2003Barry White (1944-2003)Died 4 July 2003, aged 58Barry White was a singer, songwriter and producer whose deep bass-baritone and lush orchestral arrangements drove hits such as 'Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe' and 'You're the First, the Last, My Everything'. He sold more than 100 million records and died of kidney failure while awaiting a transplant.
1953 – 2003Roberto Bolano (1953-2003)Died 15 July 2003, aged 50Roberto Bolano was a Chilean novelist and poet whose reputation grew rapidly after his death with the international success of 'The Savage Detectives' and the posthumous '2666'. He spent much of his life in Mexico and Spain and died awaiting a liver transplant.
2003SARS epidemicNew coronavirus spreads from southern China along air routesA novel coronavirus that emerged in Guangdong province spread along air-travel routes to Hong Kong, Hanoi, Singapore and Toronto, prompting the World Health Organization to issue its first global health alert on 12 March. Around 8,000 people were infected and roughly 770 died before transmission was broken through quarantine and travel restrictions. The WHO declared the outbreak contained in July.
2003End of the Second Congo WarTransitional government ends Africa's deadliest warThe Sun City Agreement and the swearing-in of a power-sharing transitional government in Kinshasa formally ended the Second Congo War, a conflict that had drawn in nine African countries. Several million people had died, mostly from disease and hunger, making it the deadliest war since 1945. Fighting nonetheless continued in the eastern provinces.
2003Wimbledon 2003The Championships, 23 June - 6 July 2003The 2003 Wimbledon Championships, the 117th edition, played on the grass courts of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club from 23 June to 6 July 2003. Roger Federer won his first Grand Slam title, defeating Mark Philippoussis in the final -- the first of his record eight Wimbledon titles. Serena Williams defeated her sister Venus Williams in the Ladies' final to successfully defend her title. Defending men's champion Lleyton Hewitt suffered a shock first-round exit to Ivo Karlovic, the first time in the Open Era a reigning champion lost in round one.
2003Wimbledon 2003Men: Roger Federer · Women: Serena WilliamsRoger Federer won his first Wimbledon title, beginning one of the greatest dynasties in tennis history.
2003Kim Clijsters [2] (BEL) d. Silvia Farina Elia [27] (ITA)Court 1Ladies' Singles, Quarterfinals on Court 1: Kim Clijsters [2] (BEL) defeated Silvia Farina Elia [27] (ITA) 5-7 6-0 6-1.
2003Sebastien Grosjean [13] (FRA) d. Juan Carlos Ferrero [3] (ESP)Court 1Gentlemen's Singles, Fourth Round on Court 1: Sebastien Grosjean [13] (FRA) defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero [3] (ESP) 6-2 4-6 7-6(2) 7-6(3).
2003Serena Williams [1] (USA) d. Jennifer Capriati [8] (USA)Centre CourtLadies' Singles, Quarterfinals on Centre Court: Serena Williams [1] (USA) defeated Jennifer Capriati [8] (USA) 2-6 6-2 6-3.
2003 – presentTeslaElectric vehicle revolutionTesla accelerated the global transition toward electric vehicles through high-performance EVs, battery innovation and large-scale charging infrastructure. Under Elon Musk, the company became one of the most influential automotive and technology firms of the 21st century.
2003Venus Williams [4] (USA) d. Lindsay Davenport [5] (USA)Centre CourtLadies' Singles, Quarterfinals on Centre Court: Venus Williams [4] (USA) defeated Lindsay Davenport [5] (USA) 6-2 2-6 6-1.
2003Andy Roddick [5] (USA) d. Jonas Bjorkman (SWE)Court 1Gentlemen's Singles, Quarterfinals on Court 1: Andy Roddick [5] (USA) defeated Jonas Bjorkman (SWE) 6-4 6-2 6-4.
2003Mark Philippoussis (AUS) d. Alexander Popp (GER)Court 1Gentlemen's Singles, Quarterfinals on Court 1: Mark Philippoussis (AUS) defeated Alexander Popp (GER) 4-6 4-6 6-3 6-3 8-6.
2003Roger Federer [4] (SUI) d. Sjeng Schalken [8] (NED)Court 2Gentlemen's Singles, Quarterfinals on Court 2: Roger Federer [4] (SUI) defeated Sjeng Schalken [8] (NED) 6-3 6-4 6-4.
2003Sebastien Grosjean [13] (FRA) d. Tim Henman [10] (GBR)Court 1Gentlemen's Singles, Quarterfinals on Court 1: Sebastien Grosjean [13] (FRA) defeated Tim Henman [10] (GBR) 7-6(8) 3-6 6-3 6-4.
2003Serena Williams [1] (USA) d. Justine Henin-Hardenne [3] (BEL)Centre CourtLadies' Singles, Semifinals on Centre Court: Serena Williams [1] (USA) defeated Justine Henin-Hardenne [3] (BEL) 6-3 6-2.
2003Venus Williams [4] (USA) d. Kim Clijsters [2] (BEL)Centre CourtLadies' Singles, Semifinals on Centre Court: Venus Williams [4] (USA) defeated Kim Clijsters [2] (BEL) 4-6 6-3 6-1.
2003Mark Philippoussis (AUS) d. Sebastien Grosjean [13] (FRA)Centre CourtGentlemen's Singles, Semifinals on Centre Court: Mark Philippoussis (AUS) defeated Sebastien Grosjean [13] (FRA) 7-6(3) 6-3 6-3.
2003Roger Federer [4] (SUI) d. Andy Roddick [5] (USA)Centre CourtGentlemen's Singles, Semifinals on Centre Court: Roger Federer [4] (SUI) defeated Andy Roddick [5] (USA) 7-6(6) 6-3 6-3.
2003Serena Williams [1] (USA) d. Venus Williams [4] (USA)Centre CourtLadies' Singles, Final on Centre Court: Serena Williams [1] (USA) defeated Venus Williams [4] (USA) 4-6 6-4 6-2.
2003Buddy Ebsen dies in TorranceBuddy Ebsen dies aged 95.
2003Roger Federer [4] (SUI) d. Mark Philippoussis (AUS)Centre CourtGentlemen's Singles, Final on Centre Court: Roger Federer [4] (SUI) defeated Mark Philippoussis (AUS) 7-6(5) 6-2 7-6(3).
2003Pirates of the Caribbean releasedDisney ride becomes a blockbuster franchisePirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, based on a Disney theme-park ride, was a surprise critical and commercial success. Johnny Depp's performance as Captain Jack Sparrow earned an Academy Award nomination and launched a long-running film series.
2003Killing of Uday and Qusay HusseinSaddam's sons die in a firefight in MosulSaddam Hussein's sons Uday and Qusay were killed in a prolonged gun battle with US forces at a villa in Mosul. Both had held prominent roles in the former regime, and Qusay had been widely seen as his father's likely successor.