previous year1999
2000200120022003200420052006200720082009
2010next year

Major Events of February 2005: 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 February 2005 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of February 2005: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Feb 2005 UN Report on Darfur Atrocities: The United Nations releases a damning report on Sudan's Darfur region, documenting widespread human rights violations including murder, torture, and rape. While the report does not classify these actions as genocide, it calls for war criminals to be brought to justice.
  • 02 Feb 2005 Canada Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage: The Government of Canada introduces the Civil Marriage Act, a landmark legislation that would officially legalize same-sex marriage on July 20, 2005, marking a significant milestone in LGBTQ+ rights and social equality.
  • 03 Feb 2005 Passing of Ernst Mayr, Evolutionary Biologist: Ernst Mayr, a groundbreaking German-born biologist who significantly contributed to evolutionary theory and was a key figure in the modern synthesis of evolutionary biology, died at age 101.
  • 04 Feb 2005 New York Court Rules on Same-Sex Marriage: The New York State Supreme Court ruled that the state's ban on same-sex marriage violates the state constitution, with the decision stayed for 30 days, marking a significant moment in LGBTQ+ rights.
  • 05 Feb 2005 Kam Air Flight Tragedy in Afghanistan: A devastating aviation disaster occurred when NATO helicopters discovered the wreckage of a Kam Air Boeing 737 passenger jet in the mountainous region east of Kabul, Afghanistan. All 104 passengers aboard were presumed to have perished in this tragic incident, highlighting the dangerous conditions of air travel in conflict zones.
  • 06 Feb 2005 Condoleezza Rice's Diplomatic Mission to Middle East: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrives in Israel to engage in diplomatic discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, seeking to advance peace negotiations.
  • 07 Feb 2005 Guatemala Halts War Crimes Trial: The Guatemalan Constitutional Court controversially stopped the trial of 16 military officers accused of war crimes and killing hundreds of civilians, raising questions about judicial accountability and transitional justice.
  • 08 Feb 2005 Iraq Conflict: Multiple Attacks: Intense violence erupted in Iraq with coordinated attacks in Baquba and Mosul. A car bomb near an Iraqi police station wounded 15 and killed 15, while a suicide bomber killed twelve police officers and injured four others. Additional mortar attacks resulted in three civilian casualties.
  • 09 Feb 2005 Assassination of Rafik Hariri: Rafik Hariri, former Prime Minister of Lebanon, was assassinated in a devastating suicide bombing in Beirut. The attack killed at least 16 people and injured 120 others, marking a significant moment of political violence in Lebanon's history.
  • 10 Feb 2005 North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Declaration: North Korea officially admits to developing nuclear weapons and suspends participation in multi-national diplomatic talks about its arms program, escalating international tensions.
  • 11 Feb 2005 Mass Iranian Protest Against Potential U.S. Strike: Approximately two million Iranians protested against a potential U.S. military strike aimed at preventing Iran's nuclear weapon development. Top U.S. military officials denied any plans for such an intervention.
  • 12 Feb 2005 Togo Political Protests: Thousands of protesters in LomĂ©, Togo, demonstrated against President Faure GnassingbĂ©'s army-installed rule. The protests turned violent, resulting in three protestors being killed during clashes with police and military forces.
  • 13 Feb 2005 60th Anniversary of Dresden Bombing Commemoration: Germans commemorated the 60th anniversary of the devastating firebombing of Dresden during World War II, remembering one of the most controversial aerial attacks in military history.
  • 14 Feb 2005 Assassination of Rafik Hariri: A massive suicide bomb blast in central Beirut killed the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, Rafik Hariri, and at least 15 other people. The explosion, equivalent to around 1,000 kg of TNT, occurred near the St. George Hotel and injured at least 135 people. This tragic event sparked the Cedar Revolution (Intifada of Independence) and significantly impacted Lebanon's political landscape.
  • 15 Feb 2005 YouTube Launch: The revolutionary video-sharing platform YouTube was officially launched, marking a significant milestone in internet media and user-generated content. This platform would go on to transform digital communication and entertainment globally.
  • 16 Feb 2005 Kyoto Protocol Goes into Effect: The Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty designed to combat global warming, officially comes into force on this date. The protocol is implemented without the support of major countries like the United States and Australia, highlighting the complex international dynamics of climate change mitigation.
  • 17 Feb 2005 Israeli Cabinet Approves Gaza Withdrawal: In a significant political decision, the Israeli Cabinet voted 17-5 to approve Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan for withdrawing troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip. The cabinet also approved a new route for the barrier in Palestinian-controlled West Bank areas.
  • 18 Feb 2005 Deadly Explosions in Baghdad During Ashura: On the Shi'a holy day of Ashura, a series of devastating explosions targeted Shi'a mosques in Baghdad, resulting in at least 27 fatalities and 60 injuries, highlighting the ongoing sectarian tensions in post-invasion Iraq.
  • 19 Feb 2005 UN Investigates Rafik Hariri's Murder: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan dispatched an expert team to Lebanon to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
  • 20 Feb 2005 Death of Hunter S. Thompson: Renowned American journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson was found dead at his home in Aspen, Colorado. The circumstances suggested suicide, marking the end of a groundbreaking literary career known for pioneering gonzo journalism.
  • 21 Feb 2005 Israel Releases Palestinian Prisoners: Israel released 500 Palestinian prisoners as a goodwill gesture to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, with plans to release an additional 400 prisoners in the following three months, signaling potential diplomatic progress.
  • 22 Feb 2005 Mars Ice Discovery by European Space Probe: The European space probe Mars Express captured groundbreaking images revealing the presence of sea ice near Mars' equator. This significant discovery substantially increases scientific speculation about the potential for past or present life on the planet.
  • 23 Feb 2005 Slovakia Summit 2005: The Slovakia Summit 2005 marked a historic diplomatic event, with U.S. President George W. Bush becoming the first sitting American President to visit Slovakia. The summit featured high-level discussions between Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
  • 24 Feb 2005 Bratislava Initiative on Nuclear Non-Proliferation: Presidents Bush and Putin announced the Bratislava Initiative, a strategic effort aimed at reducing the global threat of nuclear proliferation and enhancing international security.
  • 25 Feb 2005 BTK Serial Killer Captured: Dennis Rader, the notorious BTK (Bind, Torture, Kill) serial killer, was apprehended by Wichita police in Kansas, 31 years after his first murder, bringing a long-awaited end to his reign of terror.
  • 26 Feb 2005 Global Climate Action: Kyoto Protocol: Over 190 countries signed the Kyoto Protocol, a landmark international environmental treaty designed to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, representing a significant milestone in international environmental cooperation.
  • 27 Feb 2005 Russia to Supply Nuclear Reactor Fuel to Iran: Russia agrees to sell nuclear reactor fuel to Iran, emphasizing strict safeguards to prevent potential weaponization. This complex diplomatic and technological transaction highlights the delicate international nuclear negotiations of the time.
  • 28 Feb 2005 Lebanese Government Resigns Following Hariri Assassination: In the wake of massive protests following the assassination of Rafik Hariri, the entire Lebanese government, led by pro-Syrian Prime Minister Omar Karami, resigns. This marked a significant political turning point in Lebanon's struggle for sovereignty and independence from Syrian influence.