January 2003

Wednesday 01:

Luís Inácio Lula da Silva becomes president of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

Wednesday 08:

US Airways flight 5481 crashes at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina killing all 21 people aboard.

Thursday 16:

Space Shuttle Columbia takes off for mission STS-107 which will be its final one. Columbia disintegrates 16 days later on re-entry.

Saturday 18:

Canberra firestorm, kills 4 and destroyes 491 homes

Tuesday 21:

The terms of Kevin Mitnick's parole allow him to use a computer again.

Wednesday 22:

2003 - Last successful contact with the spacecraft Pioneer 10, one of the most distant man-made objects.

Friday 24:

The United States Department of Homeland Security officially begins operation.

Sunday 26:

Super Bowl XXXVII: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat the Oakland Raiders, 48-21, earning the Buccaneers their first Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Thursday 30:

Belgium legally recognizes same-sex marriage.