While friends are posting throwback pictures, reminiscing on the past, we sometimes forget how fast time goes. In 2004, most current college students were in the prime of elementary school, sometimes unaware of the world around them. For example, while most elementary schoolers were learning ABCs and the layers of the Earth’s crust, Facebook was being launched at Harvard University and the Summer Olympics were happening in Athens, Greece. It is easy to forget when things happened, so here is a way to remember some great happenings of 2004.

The Fashion Trends:

Some of these trends were

one-hit wonders while others never seemed to leave:

Von Dutch Hats

Layered Polos

Ruffled Mini Skirts

Uggs

Velour tracksuits

Pointed toe heels

Semi-transparent sunglasses

Sports:

World Series

The 2004 World Series was played between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals. Boston swept St. Louis in four games to end their “Curse of the Bambino.” The Curse began in 1919 when the team sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees which prevented them from winning a World Series until 2004.

Super Bowl 38

The New England Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers (32-29) in their second Super Bowl win within three years. Sports Illustrated called it the “Greatest Super Bowl of All Time.”

Politics

Arnold Schwarzenegger became the Governer of California.

George W. Bush won the election and entered his second term as President of the United States.

Heated Debates:

War on Terror- increased spending on security and monitoring of citizens’ everyday lives

Gay Marriage

Abortion- Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice

Top Billboard Music Hits:

1. “Yeah”-Usher feat. Lil Jon &  Ludacris

2. “Burn” – Usher

3. “If I Ain’t Got You” – Alicia Keys

4. “This Love” – Maroon 5

5. “The Way You Move” -Outkast feat. Sleepy Brown

Notable Deaths:

Ronald Reagan: June 5

Ray Charles: June 10

Julia Child: August 13

Celebrity Couples & Break-ups:

Ryan Reynolds & Alanis Morissette got engaged

Justin Timberlake & Cameron Diaz dated

Hilary Duff & Joel Madden started dating

Britney Spears & Kevin Federline got married

Brad Pitt was accused of cheating on Jennifer Aniston with Angelina Jolie

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck split up

Top 5 Movies released :

The Notebook

Saw

Mean Girls

The Incredibles

Troy

Top Television Shows:

Lost

House, M.D.

Desperate Housewives

Entourage

Deadwood

* Friends ended its TV run on May 6, 2014.

What was happening on the Hill?

Big Concert:

Something Corporate

Opening bands: Yellowcard

The Format

Sleeping at Last

President Jim Peterson was inaugurated in April as the 14th president of Gustavus.

All Greeks’ pledging activities were cancelled because of multiple hazing reports.

-Erika Clifton