2003 Trivia, History and Fun Facts

2003 Pop Culture History

Quick Facts from 2003:

• World Changing Event: Myspace.com was launched.
• The Top Song was Hey Ya! by OutKast
• Influential Songs include: Unwell by Matchbox Twenty, Concrete Angel by Martina McBride, Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes, and Dance With My Father by Luthor Vandross
• The Movies to Watch include Finding Nemo, Gods and Generals, Bruce Almighty, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Cheaper by the Dozen, and Elf
• People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive: Johnny Depp
• Notable books include: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
• Price of Boar’s Head deluxe ham in 2003: $5.99/pound
  Price of a movie ticket: $6.00
  Land O Lakes butter, 1 pound: $1.49
• US 666, once a spur route of the decommissioned US Route 66, was changed to US 491, a spur of US Route 191, due to concerns using the number 666 for a road.
• The Funny Guy was: Dane Cook
  The Funnier Guy was: Dave Chappelle
• The Conversation: The United States Department of Homeland Security and what it would mean for average Americans.

“The Quotes:”
“Where do buffalo wings come from? Chickens or buffaloes?”
-Jessica Simpson, on her Newlyweds reality show.

“He’s just not that into you.”
-Jack Berger, Sex In The City

The Scandals:
Angelina Jolie kissed her brother, James Haven, rather passionately at the Oscars. James claimed it was a quick peck, just caught at the wrong second.

Paris Hilton’s sex tape, with then-boyfriend Rick Salomon, One Night In Paris, was released.

New York Times reporter Jayson Blair resigned after being confronted with evidence of fabricating quotes and details in at least 36 articles.

Natalie Maines, the lead singer for the Dixie Chicks, told a London crowd that “we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is From Texas.”

Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh entered rehab for addiction to prescription drugs oxycodone and hydrocodone. This may have led to his hearing loss. (the radio talk show host is essentially deaf)

Michael Jackson was alleged to have engaged in sexual activities with a teenage boy (again).

Madonna Kissed Britney Spears at the VMAs

HERO – 13 year old Surfer Bethany Hamilton jumped right back on a surfboard after getting patched up from her shark-bite, which took her left arm. A 2011 film, Soul Surfer, starring AnnaSophia Robb, was made about her life.

HERO – Aron Ralston – while canyoneering in Utah, he was forced to amputate his right arm with a dull knife in order to free himself from a boulder. A 2011 film, 127 Hours, starring James Franco, was made about the adventure.

HERO – Elizabeth Smart was found alive, 9 months after she was kidnapped. She has become an activist, working with Sexual Predator Legislation and the AMBER Alert system, and she spoke after the signing of the Adam Walsh Act. A TV movie about the ordeal, The Elizabeth Smart Story, was shown on CBS.

Pop Culture Facts:
Lord of the Rings: The Return Of The King won 11 Oscars, winning every category it was in. For this reason, many consider it to be the greatest film of all time. Several books have been written regarding the making of the Lord of the Rings film series.

Steven Bartman, sitting in Section 4, Row 8, Seat 113 of the stands at Wrigley Field, reached for and deflected a foul ball that Cubs left fielder Moises Alou was trying to catch. The Florida Marlins won the game and the chance to be in the World Series.By all reports, Steven is a decent guy, and still a Cubs fan. A film, featuring Kevin James, was proposed.

Cost of a Superbowl ad in 2003: $2,100,000

The Human Genome Project that mapped the structure of DNA and all the specific information that it contained completed its work.

Broadway Show – Avenue Q (Musical) Opened on July 31, 2003 and Closed: September 13, 2009

Broadway Show – Wicked (Musical) Opened on October 30, 2003

2003 Billboard Number One Songs:
November 9, 2002- January 31, 2003:
Lose Yourself – Eminem

February 1 – February 7:
Bump, Bump, Bump – B2K featuring P. Diddy

February 8 – March 7:
All I Have – Jennifer Lopez featuring L.L. Cool J

March 8 – May 9:
In Da Club – 50 Cent

May 10 – May 30:
Get Busy – Sean Paul

May 31 – June 27:
21 Questions – 50 Cent featuring Nate Dogg

June 28 – July 11:
This Is The Night – Clay Aiken

July 12 – September 5:
Crazy In Love – Beyonce featuring Jay-Z

September 6 – October 3:
Shake Ya Tailfeather – Nelly/P. Diddy/Murphy Lee

October 4 – December 5:
Baby Boy – Beyonce featuring Sean Paul

December 6 – December 12:
Stand Up – Ludacris featuring Shawnna

December 13, 2004 – February 13, 2003:
Hey Ya! – OutKast