Dashed left edge = started before this timeline ·
Dashed right edge = still ongoing
Events in 2005 84
1908 – 2005Simon Wiesenthal (1908-2005)Died 20 September 2005, aged 96Simon Wiesenthal, the Holocaust survivor who devoted his life to tracking down Nazi war criminals, died on 20 September 2005. He helped bring more than a thousand perpetrators to justice through the documentation centre he founded in Vienna. Wiesenthal survived several concentration camps during the Second World War.
1913 – 2005Rosa ParksCivil rights defianceRosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat in 1955, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott and galvanising the civil rights movement.
1913 – 2005Geraldine Fitzgerald (1913-2005)Irish actress, Isabella in Wuthering Heights, with a career from the Gate Theatre to Arthur.
1914 – 2005Robert Wise (1914-2005)Died 14 September 2005, aged 91Robert Wise, the film director and editor behind "West Side Story", "The Sound of Music" and "The Day the Earth Stood Still", died on 14 September 2005. He won Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture twice, for "West Side Story" and "The Sound of Music". Wise began his career as an editor, cutting "Citizen Kane" in 1941.
1915 – 2005Saul Bellow (1915-2005)Died 5 April 2005, aged 89Saul Bellow, the Nobel Prize-winning novelist known for works including "Herzog" and "Humboldt's Gift", died on 5 April 2005. He was among the most celebrated American writers of the 20th century, exploring modern intellectual and urban life across a five-decade career. Bellow won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1976.
1915 – 2005Arthur Miller (1915-2005)Died 10 February 2005, aged 89Arthur Miller, the American playwright behind "Death of a Salesman" and "The Crucible", died on 10 February 2005. His plays examined the pressures of American society and morality, and he remained a prominent public intellectual for decades. Miller was briefly married to Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s.
1917 – 2005Ossie Davis (1917-2005)Died 4 February 2005, aged 87Ossie Davis, an actor, director and civil rights activist, died on 4 February 2005. He appeared in numerous films and plays over a six-decade career, often alongside his wife Ruby Dee, and was a close associate of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Davis delivered the eulogy at Malcolm X's funeral in 1965.
1918 – 2005Teresa Wright (1918-2005)American actress, nominated for an Oscar for each of her first three films and winner for Mrs. Miniver.
1920 – 2005James Doohan (1920-2005)Died 20 July 2005, aged 85James Doohan, the Canadian actor who played chief engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott in the original "Star Trek" series and films, died on 20 July 2005. His catchphrases and performance made the character one of the most recognizable in science fiction. Doohan had lost part of a finger and been wounded in combat during D-Day in 1944.
1920 – 2005Virginia Mayo (1920-2005)American actress, Danny Kaye's leading lady and James Cagney's wife in White Heat.
1921 – 2005King Fahd of Saudi Arabia (1921-2005)Died 1 August 2005, aged 84King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who ruled Saudi Arabia from 1982 until his death on 1 August 2005, died after a long illness that had left half-brother Crown Prince Abdullah as de facto ruler for years. His reign saw the first Gulf War and rapid modernization alongside continued close ties with the United States. Abdullah succeeded him as king.
1921 – 2005Peter Benenson (1921-2005)Died 25 February 2006, aged 84Peter Benenson, the British lawyer who founded Amnesty International in 1961, died in Oxford. His campaign began with a newspaper article calling for letters on behalf of political prisoners, growing into a global human rights movement. Amnesty International remains one of the world's largest human rights organizations.
1922 – 2005Barbara Bel Geddes (1922-2005)American actress, Broadway's first Maggie the Cat, Midge in Vertigo and Miss Ellie in Dallas.
1923 – 2005Prince Rainier III (1923-2005)Died 6 April 2005, aged 81Prince Rainier III of Monaco, who ruled the principality for 56 years and transformed it into a wealthy tourist and financial centre, died on 6 April 2005. He was married to American actress Grace Kelly from 1956 until her death in 1982. Rainier was succeeded by his son, Prince Albert II.
1924 – 2005William Rehnquist (1924-2005)Died 3 September 2005, aged 80William Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, died on 3 September 2005 while still serving on the bench, having led the court since 1986. He presided over the 2000 Bush v. Gore case and the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton. Rehnquist had served on the Supreme Court since being appointed an associate justice in 1972.
1924 – 2005Shirley Chisholm (1924-2005)Died 1 January 2005, aged 80Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the US Congress and the first to run for a major party's presidential nomination, died on 1 January 2005. She represented New York in the House of Representatives from 1969 to 1983 and championed civil rights, education and anti-poverty legislation. Her 1972 presidential campaign broke barriers in American politics.
1925 – 2005Johnny Carson (1925-2005)Died 23 January 2005, aged 79Johnny Carson, the longtime host of "The Tonight Show" who defined American late-night television for three decades, died on 23 January 2005. He retired from the show in 1992 after transforming it into a cultural institution and launching countless comedy careers. Carson rarely appeared publicly after his retirement.
1926 – 2005John Fowles (1926-2005)Died 5 November 2005, aged 79John Fowles, the British novelist known for "The French Lieutenant's Woman" and "The Collector", died on 5 November 2005. His novels combined literary experimentation with popular storytelling and were widely adapted for film. Fowles lived for much of his later life in Lyme Regis, the setting of his best-known novel.
1931 – 2005Anne Bancroft (1931-2005)Died 6 June 2005, aged 73Anne Bancroft, the Academy Award-winning actress best known for her role as Mrs. Robinson in "The Graduate", died on 6 June 2005. She won the Oscar for Best Actress for "The Miracle Worker" in 1962 and had a career spanning stage, film and television. Bancroft was married to filmmaker and comedian Mel Brooks.
1932 – 2005Charly GaulThe Angel of the MountainsFamed for his climbing in extreme weather. Winner: 1958 Tour de France.
1934 – 2005Robert Moog (1934-2005)Died 21 August 2005, aged 71Robert Moog, the engineer who invented the Moog synthesizer, died on 21 August 2005 of a brain tumor. His electronic instruments transformed popular music from the 1960s onward, used across genres from rock to electronic dance music. Moog founded Moog Music, which continued producing synthesizers after his death.
1935 – 2005Gnassingbe Eyadema (1935-2005)Died 5 February 2005, aged 69Gnassingbe Eyadema, president of Togo for 38 years, died on 5 February 2005 while in office, making him one of Africa's longest-serving heads of state. His death triggered a disputed military-backed succession by his son, Faure Gnassingbe, that drew international condemnation. Eyadema had ruled Togo since seizing power in a coup in 1967.
1937 – 2005Hunter S. Thompson (1937-2005)Died 20 February 2005, aged 67Hunter S. Thompson, the writer who pioneered "gonzo journalism" with works including "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas", died by suicide on 20 February 2005. His freewheeling, first-person style blended fact and fiction and influenced generations of journalists. Thompson had struggled publicly with declining health in his final years.
1938 – 2005Peter Jennings (1938-2005)Died 7 August 2005, aged 67Peter Jennings, the Canadian-born anchor of "ABC World News Tonight" for over two decades, died on 7 August 2005 of lung cancer, only months after announcing his diagnosis. He was one of the most recognizable figures in American television news, anchoring coverage of major world events including the September 11 attacks. Jennings had anchored the broadcast since 1983.
1940 – 2005Richard Pryor (1940-2005)Died 10 December 2005, aged 65Richard Pryor, a stand-up comedian and actor widely regarded as one of the most influential in American comedy, died on 10 December 2005 after a long battle with multiple sclerosis. His raw, confessional style influenced generations of comedians and he starred in numerous films through the 1970s and 1980s. Pryor was awarded the first Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 1998.
1945 – 2005August Wilson (1945-2005)Died 2 October 2005, aged 60August Wilson, the American playwright behind the ten-play "Pittsburgh Cycle" chronicling Black life in the 20th century, died on 2 October 2005. He won two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama, for "Fences" and "The Piano Lesson". Wilson's plays are among the most performed works in American theatre.
1946 – 2005George BestThe Fifth BeatleManchester United legend and 1968 Ballon d'Or winner; known for his immense dribbling skill.
1951 – 2005Luther Vandross (1951-2005)Died 1 July 2005, aged 54Luther Vandross, an American R&B singer known for hits including "Never Too Much" and "Dance with My Father", died on 1 July 2005 following complications from a stroke suffered in 2003. He won eight Grammy Awards over his career and was regarded as one of the finest voices in soul music. Vandross also worked extensively as a songwriter and producer.
20052005 European farewell tour27 concerts across EuropeThe success of "The Final Tour" led to a 2005 sequel: 27 concerts across Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Belgium and the UK.
2005 – 2007A Bigger Bang TourHighest-grossing concert tour in history — 2005 to 2007The A Bigger Bang Tour (2005–2007) grossed $558 million from 147 shows, becoming the highest-grossing concert tour in history at the time, surpassing their own previous record. It was the last major tour with Charlie Watts.
2005CrashBest Picture — 78th Academy AwardsPaul Haggis's ensemble drama about racial tension in Los Angeles, a surprise winner over Brokeback Mountain.
2005Death of Tony MeehanAged 62Founding drummer Tony Meehan died in 2005 at the age of 62, after falling down stairs at his home — the first of the founding members to pass away.
2005Digital StreamingYouTube / NetflixThe shift from physical media to instant digital content delivery.
2005Eddy Curry tradeThe Knicks trade two first-round picks to Chicago for center Eddy Curry, a deal that becomes emblematic of the era's mismanagement.
2005 – presentLana Del ReyThe Melancholic IconPioneered the "sad girl" aesthetic and cinematic retro-pop sound of the 2010s.
2005 – 2022President of the National Olympic Committee of UkraineIn 2005 Bubka is elected President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine (NOC Ukraine), a position he holds into the 2020s. The role makes him Ukraine's most senior sports administrator and its primary representative in international Olympic governance. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he becomes one of the most prominent Ukrainian voices in international sports organisations, advocating for Ukraine's right to compete and for sanctions on Russian and Belarusian athletes.
2005 – presentRihannaBadGalRiRiThe digital era's hit-making queen; evolved from dance-pop star to a global fashion and beauty mogul.
2005YouTube launchesVideo sharing changes cultureYouTube launched publicly in 2005 and was acquired by Google in October 2006 for $1.65 billion. It transformed how people watch, share and create video content globally.
2005Huygens probe lands on TitanEuropean spacecraft makes first landing on an outer moonThe European Space Agency's Huygens probe landed on Saturn's moon Titan on 14 January 2005, the first spacecraft to land on a moon in the outer solar system. It transmitted images and data of Titan's surface before its batteries died. The probe had travelled to Saturn attached to NASA's Cassini orbiter.
2005Google Maps launchesGoogle introduces free interactive web mapping serviceGoogle launched Google Maps on 8 February 2005, offering free interactive maps, satellite imagery and driving directions through a web browser. It rapidly became one of the most widely used mapping services and later expanded to mobile devices and satellite navigation. The service changed how people navigated and how businesses displayed location information online.
2005North Korea declares nuclear weapons capabilityPyongyang publicly claims to possess nuclear armsNorth Korea publicly declared on 10 February 2005 that it possessed nuclear weapons and was withdrawing indefinitely from six-party disarmament talks. The announcement heightened international concern over nuclear proliferation in East Asia. North Korea returned to talks later in the year, producing a joint statement of principles in September 2005.
2005Assassination of Rafic HaririFormer Lebanese prime minister killed in Beirut bombingFormer Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri was killed along with 21 others when a truck bomb exploded near his motorcade in Beirut on 14 February 2005. The assassination triggered mass protests known as the Cedar Revolution and international pressure that led to Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon. A UN-backed tribunal later investigated the killing.
2005Kyoto Protocol enters into forceInternational treaty on climate change takes legal effectThe Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty committing signatory nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, entered into force on 16 February 2005 after ratification by Russia. It bound industrialized countries to specific emissions targets for the first time under international law. The United States did not ratify the treaty.
2005Kasparov retires from professional chessEnd of an eraGarry Kasparov announced his retirement from professional chess in March 2005. He subsequently became a prominent political activist and author.
2005Death of Terri SchiavoUS right-to-die case ends after feeding tube removalTerri Schiavo, a Florida woman in a persistent vegetative state, died on 31 March 2005 after her feeding tube was removed following a prolonged legal battle between her husband and parents. The case drew national and international attention to end-of-life rights and became a flashpoint in US political debate. Congress and the President intervened unsuccessfully to keep her alive.
2005Pope John Paul II diesLongest-serving modern pope, age 84Pope John Paul II died on April 2, 2005, aged 84, after 26 years as pope. His pontificate was one of the most influential of the 20th century, playing a key role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe.
2005Wedding of Charles and CamillaPrince of Wales marries Camilla Parker BowlesCharles, Prince of Wales, married Camilla Parker Bowles in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall on 9 April 2005, delayed one day by the funeral of Pope John Paul II. Camilla took the title Duchess of Cornwall rather than Princess of Wales. The wedding drew global media coverage of the British royal family.
20052005 World Snooker ChampionshipShaun Murphy SurpriseWinner: Shaun Murphy; Runner-up: Matthew Stevens. Score: 18–16.
2005Pope Benedict XVI electedJoseph Ratzinger becomes 265th popeCardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany was elected as Pope Benedict XVI on April 19, 2005, succeeding John Paul II.
2005YouTube foundedVideo sharing transforms the internetYouTube was founded on February 14, 2005, by three former PayPal employees. The first video was uploaded on April 23. Google acquired YouTube for $1.65 billion in 2006.
2005Syria withdraws from LebanonSyrian troops leave after nearly three decades of occupationSyria completed the withdrawal of its military forces from Lebanon on 26 April 2005, ending a 29-year presence that began during the Lebanese Civil War. The pullout followed weeks of mass protests after the assassination of Rafic Hariri and UN Security Council pressure. It marked a major shift in Lebanese sovereignty and regional politics.
2005Andijan massacreUzbek troops kill protesters in eastern cityUzbek government troops opened fire on protesters in the city of Andijan on 13 May 2005, killing hundreds of people according to independent estimates, though the government gave a much lower figure. The unrest began with an uprising linked to the trial of local businessmen. The massacre drew international condemnation and strained Uzbekistan's relations with Western governments.
2005Operation MurambatsvinaZimbabwean government demolishes urban homes and marketsThe Zimbabwean government launched Operation Murambatsvina in May 2005, a mass campaign to demolish informal housing and street markets in cities, officially framed as an urban clean-up. The United Nations estimated the operation left around 700,000 people without homes or livelihoods. Critics said it targeted opposition strongholds.
2005Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith#1 film of 2005 — $868m worldwideDirected by George Lucas. The final prequel depicts Anakin Skywalker's turn to the dark side and transformation into Darth Vader.
2005Liverpool wins Champions League in IstanbulLiverpool overturns three-goal deficit to win European CupLiverpool won the UEFA Champions League final on 25 May 2005, coming back from 3-0 down at halftime to draw with AC Milan and win on penalties. The match, played in Istanbul, became known as the "Miracle of Istanbul" and is regarded as one of the greatest comebacks in football history. It was Liverpool's fifth European Cup title.
2005EU constitution rejected in referendumsFrench and Dutch voters reject the proposed EU constitutionVoters in France rejected the proposed European Union constitutional treaty in a referendum on 29 May 2005, followed by Dutch voters on 1 June 2005. The back-to-back rejections derailed the ratification process and plunged the EU into a period of institutional uncertainty. Elements of the treaty were later revived in the Lisbon Treaty of 2007.
2005French Open 2005Men: Rafael Nadal · Women: Justine HeninRafael Nadal won his first Roland Garros, beginning the most dominant single-tournament dynasty in tennis history.
2005Batman BeginsNolan's Dark Knight trilogy beginsDirected by Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale. A gritty, realistic origin story of Bruce Wayne's transformation into Batman.
2005Reddit foundedSocial news and discussion site launchesReddit, a social news aggregation and discussion website, was founded by Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian and launched on 23 June 2005. It grew from a small link-sharing site into one of the most visited websites in the world, organized around user-created communities. The platform later became a major hub for online discussion and internet culture.
2005Princess Alexia bornSecond daughter of Willem-Alexander and MáximaPrincess Alexia was born in The Hague.
2005Live 8 concertsGlobal concert series calls for action on world povertyA series of Live 8 benefit concerts was held simultaneously in cities including London, Philadelphia, Paris, Berlin, Rome and Tokyo on 2 July 2005, timed to coincide with the G8 summit at Gleneagles. Organized by Bob Geldof and Bono, the concerts called on world leaders to cancel debt and increase aid to Africa. Hundreds of millions watched broadcasts worldwide.
2005Deep Impact strikes comet Tempel 1NASA probe collides with a comet to study its interiorNASA's Deep Impact spacecraft released an impactor that struck the comet Tempel 1 on 4 July 2005, blasting material from beneath its surface for study. The mission gave scientists their first direct look at a comet's interior composition. It was the first time a spacecraft had deliberately impacted a comet.
2005G8 Gleneagles summitWorld leaders meet in Scotland amid Africa aid campaignLeaders of the G8 nations met at Gleneagles, Scotland, from 6 to 8 July 2005, agreeing to double aid to Africa and cancel debt for the world's poorest countries. The summit was overshadowed by the London bombings on its second day. It followed months of public campaigning under the Make Poverty History banner.
2005London awarded 2012 Olympic GamesIOC selects London over Paris to host the Summer OlympicsThe International Olympic Committee selected London to host the 2012 Summer Olympics on 6 July 2005, narrowly beating favourite Paris in the final round of voting. The announcement in Singapore was followed the next day by the 7 July London bombings. London became the first city to host the modern Olympics three times.
20057/7 London bombings52 killed on London transportFour suicide bombers detonated explosives on three London Underground trains and one bus on July 7, 2005, killing 52 people and injuring over 700.
2005Charlie and the Chocolate Factory#3 film of 2005 — $474m worldwideDirected by Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp. Willy Wonka invites five children to tour his mysterious chocolate factory.
2005Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince publishedSixth novel in J.K. Rowling's series breaks sales recordsJ.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" was published on 16 July 2005, selling nine million copies in its first 24 hours in the UK and US. It was the fastest-selling book in history at the time. The novel continued the story ahead of the series' final instalment two years later.
2005England regains the AshesEngland beats Australia in cricket's Ashes series for first time in 18 yearsEngland defeated Australia in the 2005 Ashes cricket series, regaining the urn for the first time since 1987 after a closely fought contest that ran from July to September. The series, decided by a draw in the final test at The Oval, was widely regarded as one of the greatest in Ashes history. It renewed enormous public interest in cricket in England.
2005Space Shuttle Discovery returns to flightNASA resumes shuttle missions after the Columbia disasterSpace Shuttle Discovery launched on 26 July 2005 on mission STS-114, the first shuttle flight since the Columbia disaster more than two years earlier. The mission tested new safety procedures, including in-orbit repair techniques, and delivered supplies to the International Space Station. Discovery landed safely on 9 August 2005.
2005CAFTA-DR signed into US lawCentral America free trade agreement takes effectPresident George W. Bush signed the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement into US law on 2 August 2005, extending free trade to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The agreement reduced tariffs and expanded market access between the signatory nations and the United States. It sparked protests in several Central American countries over its impact on local farmers.
2005Israeli disengagement from GazaIsrael withdraws settlers and troops from the Gaza StripIsrael evacuated all of its settlers and military forces from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements between August and September 2005, ending a 38-year occupation of the territory. The unilateral withdrawal, ordered by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, was completed on 12 September 2005. It remained one of the most significant shifts in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict of the decade.
2005Hurricane Katrina1,800 killed, New Orleans devastatedHurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005, causing catastrophic flooding in New Orleans when levees failed. 1,836 people died and damage exceeded $125 billion.
2005Fats Domino rescued after Hurricane KatrinaLower Ninth WardMissing for days, he is rescued from his flooded home by helicopter.
2005A Bigger BangTwenty-second album — September 6, 2005A Bigger Bang was released on September 6, 2005, their first studio album in eight years. Stripped back to a guitar-based sound, it reached number 2 in the UK. The supporting tour became the highest-grossing concert tour in history at the time.
2005Hurricane RitaMajor hurricane strikes the Texas-Louisiana coastHurricane Rita formed on 18 September 2005 and struck the Texas-Louisiana border on 24 September as a major hurricane, prompting one of the largest evacuations in US history. It came weeks after Hurricane Katrina had devastated the same region, compounding recovery efforts. Rita caused billions of dollars in damage and dozens of deaths.
2005Fernando Alonso wins first Formula One titleSpanish driver becomes youngest world champion at the timeFernando Alonso clinched the 2005 Formula One World Championship at the Brazilian Grand Prix on 25 September 2005, becoming, at 24, the youngest world champion in the sport's history at that point. Driving for Renault, he ended a run of five consecutive titles for Michael Schumacher. Alonso went on to win a second consecutive title in 2006.
20052005 Bali bombingsSuicide bombers kill 20 in Indonesian resort attacksSuicide bombers attacked restaurants in Kuta and Jimbaran on the Indonesian island of Bali on 1 October 2005, killing 20 people including four bombers. The attacks, attributed to the militant group Jemaah Islamiyah, came three years after a previous bombing on the island had killed over 200. They dealt a further blow to Bali's tourism industry.
2005Kashmir earthquakeMagnitude 7.6 quake devastates Pakistan-administered KashmirA magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Pakistan-administered Kashmir on 8 October 2005, killing an estimated 87,000 people and leaving millions homeless. It was one of the deadliest earthquakes in South Asian history, also affecting India and Afghanistan. International relief efforts followed amid difficult mountainous terrain and the onset of winter.
2005Shenzhou 6 spaceflightChina's second crewed space missionChina launched Shenzhou 6 on 12 October 2005, carrying two astronauts on a five-day orbital mission, its second crewed spaceflight after Shenzhou 5 in 2003. The mission demonstrated multi-day life support and cabin operations for China's growing space program. It landed safely on 17 October 2005.
2005Hurricane WilmaMost intense Atlantic hurricane on record at the timeHurricane Wilma reached the lowest pressure ever recorded in an Atlantic hurricane before striking the Yucatan Peninsula and South Florida in October 2005. It formed on 15 October and dissipated by 25 October, causing extensive damage and capping a record-breaking hurricane season. Wilma was the twenty-first named storm of the 2005 Atlantic season.
2005Amman hotel bombingsCoordinated suicide attacks kill dozens in JordanSuicide bombers linked to al-Qaeda in Iraq attacked three hotels in Amman, Jordan, on 9 November 2005, killing at least 60 people. The bombings were among the deadliest terrorist attacks in Jordan's history and prompted large public protests against al-Qaeda. Iraqi militant leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi claimed responsibility.
2005Angela Merkel becomes ChancellorFirst female German ChancellorAngela Merkel became Germany's first female Chancellor on November 22, 2005, a position she would hold for 16 years until 2021.
2005Xbox 360 launchedMicrosoft releases its second video game consoleMicrosoft launched the Xbox 360 in North America on 22 November 2005, becoming the first console of its generation to reach the market ahead of Sony and Nintendo. It introduced high-definition gaming and online services through Xbox Live to a mass audience. The console went on to sell tens of millions of units worldwide.
2005F-22 enters service1st Fighter Wing, LangleyThe F-22 is declared operational at Langley — the world's first fifth-generation fighter in service.