When Notre Dame Prep’s Class of 2021 was born. . .

In 2003, when most of the 171 members of Notre Dame’s incoming freshmen class were born, the world was a different place (but really not that different). Anyway, for posterity's sake, we decided to revisit what was going on during that fateful year. Note: it wasn’t all bad news. In fact, 2003 was the year “Finding Nemo” was released to theaters nationwide, Libya agreed to give up its chemical weapons and Apple launched iTunes. Sadly, however, there were no solar eclipses in the U.S. in 2003.

In 2003. . .

• the average cost of a new house was $246,300 and a gallon of gas cost $1.83.

• the new United States Department of Homeland Security officially begins operation.

• the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat the Oakland Raiders, 48-21, in the 2003 Super Bowl.

• the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrates over Texas upon reentry, killing all seven astronauts onboard.

• Secretary of State Colin Powell urges the U.N. Security Council to move against Iraq due to possession of weapons of mass destruction.

• the United States plans for an invasion of Iraq due to an imminent threat from weapons of mass destruction.

• the United States and the United Kingdom start with their shock and awe campaign with a massive air strikes on military targets in Baghdad before the invasion of Iraq by land forces.

• a major severe weather outbreak spawned more tornadoes than any week in U.S. history. 393 tornadoes were reported in 19 states.

• Lance Armstrong wins his fifth Tour De France.

• the Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Finding Nemo, The Matrix Reloaded, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Lost in Translation and Bruce Almighty were some of the films released during the year.

• a nationwide Do Not Call List starts providing consumers on June 27 with an opportunity to limit telemarketing calls.

• armed undercover "sky marshals" are used on commercial aircraft to prevent terrorist attacks following 9/11.

• Americans rename "French Fries" "Freedom Fries" in protest to France's stand on Iraq.

• Toyota overtakes Chrysler to get the number-three slot in U.S. car sales.

• Ex-soldier John Muhammad is found guilty of the Washington sniper shootings.

• China launches Shenzhou 5, its first manned space mission. 

• the New Jersey Devils defeat the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for the Stanley Cup. 

• tens of thousands of Harley-Davidson owners gather in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to celebrate 100 years as a company.

• the last old-style Volkswagen Beetle rolls off its production line in Puebla, Mexico.

• Italy suffers a near countrywide blackout when electricity supplies fail.

• JK Rowling's fifth Harry Potter book "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is released.

• the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK – 38.5°C (101.3°F) at Brogdale, near Faversham, in Kent.

• the San Antonio Spurs defeat the New Jersey Nets, four games to two, in the NBA Finals.

• voters recall California governor Gray Davis from office and elect Arnold Schwarzenegger to succeed him.

• in the biggest blackout in the history of North America, some 50 million people in the northeastern states of the U.S. and southern Canada lose electrical power.

• the wanted terrorist Abu Abbas is captured in Baghdad.

• Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch is among those captured in Iraq. U.S. troops free her nine days later.

• a massive earthquake devastates southeastern Iran. Over 40,000 killed.

• in France, a 104 degree (°F) heat wave kills approximately 5,000.

• Saddam Hussein, former president of Iraq, is captured in Tikrit by the U.S. 4th Infantry Division.

• President George W. Bush on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln announces major combat in Iraq is over on May 1.

• U.S. interest rates at a 45-year record low of 1% and core inflation rate at a 37-year record low of 1.3%.

• Alabama justice Roy Moore is suspended when he refuses to take down the Ten Commandments from an Alabama state justice building.

• the Recording Industry Association of America (or RIAA) files copyright lawsuits against internet users for trading songs online.

• Hurricane Isabel formed in the Atlantic Ocean claims more than 40 lives and leaves six million people without power.

• the Kyoto Protocol was in danger of failing following the International Climate Conference in Moscow.

• the Florida Marlins beat the New York Yankees in the World Series, four games to two.

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Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.

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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.