Major Events of November 2004: Key Historical Moments from the Month
Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from November 2004 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of November 2004: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Nov 2004 Tel Aviv Suicide Bombing: A tragic terrorist attack occurred when a 16-year-old Palestinian suicide bomber detonated explosives in an outdoor market in Tel Aviv, killing three Israeli civilians.
- 02 Nov 2004 Death of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan: H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates, passed away. Born in 1918, he was a pivotal figure in the formation and development of the UAE.
- 03 Nov 2004 2004 U.S. Presidential Election Results: Republican President George W. Bush wins the popular vote with 51.6% against Democratic Senator John Kerry's 48.4%. Bush claims victory in Ohio's crucial swing state, securing the Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency. The official Electoral College meeting is scheduled for December 13th.
- 04 Nov 2004 Yasser Arafat Declared Brain-Dead: Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was officially declared brain-dead while receiving intensive care at a hospital in Paris, marking a critical moment in Palestinian political history.
- 05 Nov 2004 Yasser Arafat's Critical Illness: Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat remains in a critical medical condition, with Israel refusing to allow his potential burial in Jerusalem. The situation creates significant political tension and uncertainty about Palestinian leadership succession.
- 06 Nov 2004 Iraq Conflict Escalation: Multiple suicide car bombs in Samarra killed 19 Iraqi police officers, two Iraqi National Guardsmen, two Iraqi Rapid Reaction Forces personnel, and 11 civilians. An additional 48 people were injured. In Ramadi, a shootout between Marines and rebels resulted in one Iraqi civilian death and 20 U.S. Marines injured.
- 07 Nov 2004 U.S. Military Offensive in Fallujah: U.S. forces launched a major military assault on the Iraqi town of Fallujah, strategically targeting insurgent strongholds in preparation for the upcoming Iraqi elections in January 2005. This operation was part of a broader effort to stabilize the region and reduce insurgent activity.
- 08 Nov 2004 Yasser Arafat's Critical Health Condition: Conflicting reports emerge about Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's health. Palestinian officials confirm he suffered a brain hemorrhage, with his condition described as 'very serious' by Mahmoud Abbas.
- 09 Nov 2004 2004 Presidential Election Voting Irregularities: Reports emerge of voting irregularities in the 2004 U.S. Presidential Election, with Ohio and Florida being the most frequently cited states experiencing electoral fraud and voting machine errors.
- 10 Nov 2004 Death of Yasser Arafat: Yasser Arafat, the long-standing leader of the Palestinian Authority, passed away at the age of 75 in a Paris hospital. Following his death, Rawhi Fattouh was elected as the interim president of the Palestinian Authority. Mahmoud Abbas became the leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), with Farouk Kaddoumi serving as the foreign minister.
- 11 Nov 2004 Yasser Arafat's Funeral in Cairo: Yasser Arafat's funeral procession took place in Cairo, Egypt, with full military honors. His coffin was transported by a horse-drawn carriage, and the event was attended by leaders from Arab and Muslim countries, including Khaled Meshaal, the head of Hamas.
- 12 Nov 2004 Yasser Arafat Buried in Ramallah: Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was laid to rest at his Ramallah compound, marking the end of an era for Palestinian politics. He passed away at the age of 75.
- 13 Nov 2004 Battle of Fallujah: U.S. Forces Occupy Town: After six days of intense urban combat, U.S. military forces successfully occupied the strategic Iraqi town of Fallujah, marking a significant moment in the Iraq War. The battle was part of a major offensive to suppress insurgent activities in the Sunni Triangle.
- 14 Nov 2004 Iran Agrees to Reduce Uranium Enrichment: Iran committed to reducing most of its uranium enrichment activities in collaboration with three European countries: France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, signaling potential diplomatic progress.
- 15 Nov 2004 Bush Administration Cabinet Reshuffling: President George W. Bush accepts the resignation of Secretary of State Colin Powell, marking a significant cabinet transition. Powell becomes the sixth Cabinet member to resign since Bush's re-election. Other resignations include Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, and Education Secretary Rod Paige.
- 16 Nov 2004 Condoleezza Rice Nominated as Secretary of State: President George W. Bush nominates Condoleezza Rice to succeed Colin Powell as Secretary of State, marking a significant leadership transition in the U.S. State Department. Rice would become the first African American woman to serve in this critical diplomatic role.
- 17 Nov 2004 Death of Yasser Arafat: Le Monde reported on the death of Yasser Arafat, the prominent Palestinian leader, revealing that he suffered from cirrhosis prior to his passing. Arafat was a pivotal figure in the Palestinian national movement and Middle Eastern politics.
- 18 Nov 2004 Massachusetts Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage: Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to legally recognize same-sex marriage, marking a significant milestone in LGBTQ+ civil rights and marriage equality.
- 19 Nov 2004 Sudanese Civil War Peace Accord: At a United Nations Security Council special session in Nairobi, Kenya, the Sudanese government and southern rebels signed a historic accord to end their 21-year conflict by December 31. The UN unanimously adopted a resolution promising substantial assistance to Sudan, marking a potential turning point in the country's long-standing civil strife.
- 20 Nov 2004 Orange Revolution Begins in Ukraine: The pivotal Orange Revolution commenced in Ukraine following controversial presidential elections. A crucial legal decision by the Shevchenkivskiy District Court of Kyiv allowed mass protests on Independence Square, which quickly spread nationwide and became a defining moment in Ukrainian political history.
- 21 Nov 2004 Ukrainian Presidential Election Controversy: The final round of Ukraine's presidential election saw Viktor Yanukovych declared the winner, sparking significant international criticism and massive protest rallies in Kiev due to suspected electoral irregularities.
- 22 Nov 2004 Orange Revolution Begins in Ukraine: The Orange Revolution begins in Ukraine, emerging from disputed presidential elections marked by allegations of widespread corruption and electoral fraud. Massive peaceful protests challenge the official election results, ultimately leading to significant electoral reforms and a pivotal moment in Ukraine's democratic development.
- 23 Nov 2004 Ukrainian Political Protests: Major political demonstrations occurred in Ukraine, with western regions like Lviv, Ternopil, and Vinnytsia supporting Viktor Yushchenko. Approximately 200,000 people surrounded the Parliament building in Kyiv, demanding Viktor Yanukovych's resignation.
- 24 Nov 2004 U.S. Election Systemic Problems Investigation: The U.S. Government Accountability Office announced plans to investigate multiple systemic issues reported during the recent presidential election.
- 25 Nov 2004 Ukrainian Supreme Court Halts Election Results: The Ukrainian Supreme Court blocked the publication of presidential election results, delayed the inauguration, and scheduled an investigation into fraud allegations for November 28.
- 26 Nov 2004 Chile's Compensation for Pinochet Victims: President Ricardo Lagos promised economic compensation for 28,000 torture victims who suffered under Augusto Pinochet's military dictatorship, representing a significant step towards national reconciliation.
- 27 Nov 2004 Ukraine Presidential Election Crisis: Ukraine's parliament voted to request the annulment of the 2004 presidential election results, with the Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot suggesting fresh elections as the best resolution to the political crisis.
- 28 Nov 2004 Ongoing Conflict in Iraq: Intense political and military tensions continue in Iraq. Forty-two primarily Shi'a parties oppose election postponement, while U.S. military casualties mount with at least 50 deaths in two weeks and ongoing insurgent confrontations.
- 29 Nov 2004 Violent Day in Baghdad: A series of violent incidents in Iraq resulted in multiple casualties: a roadside bomb in Baghdad killed two U.S. soldiers and wounded three others, an attack on a checkpoint killed four Iraqi National Guard members, and a blast near a Ramadi police station killed six Iraqis. The Iraqi Red Crescent attempted to open a relief center in Fallujah, but the International Red Cross reported the city remained under siege.
- 30 Nov 2004 Red Cross Report on Guantanamo Bay Prisoner Treatment: The International Committee of the Red Cross leaked a report to the New York Times describing the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay as 'tantamount to torture', a claim strongly disputed by the U.S. military.