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Charlotte Haines Lyon looks back at the notable events of 2003

January

All eyes were on Iraq, or more accurately all eyes were on Bush and Blair who had Iraq firmly in their sights. Hans Blix said that whilst there were many unanswered questions about Weapons of Mass Destruction, there were no smoking guns in Iraq. He later announced that Iraq had not accepted the need to disarm. Saddam Hussein said he was ready for war.

Scientists from New Zealand cloned genetically modified cows, that could produce more of the two proteins needed to make cheese.

Andre Agassi and Serena Williams win the singles titles at the Australian Open.

Snow hit the UK, and came down fast, leaving motorists stranded in the cars overnight on the M11.

The high pitch of the Bee Gees, Maurice Gibb died of a heart attack, aged 51.

February

After weeks of wrangling, England forfeited four points to Zimbabwe after refusing to play the Cricket World Cup match due to security fears. This contributed to the failure of England to reach the super six.

Downing Street grudgingly admitted that they had borrowed a student's thesis as a basis for one of their key dossiers arguing for war in Iraq.

People across the world, including a million in London, gathered and chanted "Don't attack Iraq". Tony Benn, one of the key voices of protest, went over to Iraq to interview Saddam Hussein.

British pensioner Derek Bond was arrested by the FBI in South Africa and accused of being one of their most wanted criminals Derek Sykes. He was released three weeks later, when the FBI finally admitted that it was a case of mistaken identity.

All seven crew members died as the Space Shuttle Columbia re-entered the earth's atmosphere.

Dolly, the first cloned sheep, was put down at the age of six having suffered severe arthritis.

March

France, Russia and Germany said that they would prevent a second resolution being agreed by the UN allowing military
action against Iraq. Turkey refused to let the US deploy their troops from the country.

Time ran out for diplomacy and the war against Iraq started with a campaign of "shock and awe", with embedded journalists providing a view of war never seen before. This action was denounced by China, Russia and France.

In the States, French Fries were renamed Freedom Fries in an expression of disgust at France's refusal to back military action against Iraq.

Robin Cook resigned and received a standing ovation for his speech. This followed several ministers and senior aides, including Lord Hunt, resigning due to the governments policy on Iraq.

The nation's favourite actress and Songs of Praise presenter, Thora Hird, died aged 91.

Australia beat India by 125 runs to win the Cricket World Cup in South Africa.

April

Canadian Mike Weir put on the green jacket, after winning the Masters Golf Championship in Augusta.

Paula Radcliffe wins her second London Marathon and shaves nearly two minutes off her world record.

Saddam Hussein's statue was symbolically toppled by Iraqi's in Baghdad.

The SARS virus takes hold and people are warned against travelling to China and Canada. Economies were hit although online business was up.

Yasser Arafat accused Israel of building a new Berlin Wall, as plans go ahead to build the West Bank wall.

May

Tony Blair postponed the Northern Ireland Assembly elections, accusing the IRA of not being clear enough about their willingness to stop all paramilitary activities.

With the war officially over, the UN voted to lift sanctions against Iraq and to hand over the rebuilding work to the UK and US, Syria however boycotted the vote. Jack Straw admits that it may not be necessary (or possible) to find weapons of mass destruction.

In a meeting between the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury, John Paul II warned Rowan Williams of growing divisions between the two churches. It was assumed that the pontiff was mainly referring to the homosexuality debate.

Arsenal beat Southampton 1-0 to win the FA Cup.

Over 100 people died, in an earthquake in Bengol, Turkey. Many of the dead were children who were trapped in a school dormitory that collapsed.

The worlds tallest tree, known as El Grande in a Tasmanian rainforest, was accidentally burnt down, when nearby wood chips were set on fire.

June

Jamie Whitaker was the first baby to be born in the UK as a "saviour sibling." His parents had visited Chicago for treatment to ensure that their son would be able provide the necessary cells for his sick brother.

Scotland narrowly lost 25-29 to South Africa in a rugby match that threatened to humiliate the Springboks on home soil.

War rages between the BBC and Downing Street over Andrew Gilligan's allegations about 'sexed up' dossiers.

The Foreign Affairs Select Committee, hold an inquiry into the decision to go to war, Claire Short told them that Tony Blair was guilty of "honourable deception".

One of the few lifelong supporters of Maggie Thatcher, her husband Dennis, died aged 88. 96 year-old Hollywood actress, Katharine Hepburn, also died.

July

Christian Shetlander Cameron won Big Brother, after spending 64 days as an inmate. Although, unlike the others, he lived in the South Africa Big Brother house for two weeks as well as the UK house.

Two 21 year-olds won the singles titles at Wimbledon this year: Roger Federer and Serena Williams. Tim Henman was knocked out by Nalbandian in the fourth round.

Dr David Kelly, the apparent source of Andrew Gilligan's allegations against No 10, disappears and is found later after apparently committing suicide. An inquiry is announced to be led by Lord Hutton.

Canon Jeffrey John, resigned from his nomination for Bishop of Reading after a huge furore over his sexuality. He would have been the first openly gay bishop in the Church of England.

August

Charles Taylor stood down as President of Liberia, and went into exile. This was a precondition for the country to receive US military help in developing and maintaining peace in the country.

The Hutton Inquiry into the death of Doctor David Kelly, following the spat between the BBC and Downing Street opens.

The Bali Bomber Amrozi bin Nurhasyim, is found guilty and sentenced to death by Indonesian courts.

The humble fish became www.surefish.co.uk and also started to offer broadband access.

England's women's cricket team beat South Africa in the Test series, for the first time on home ground since 1979.

Alistair Campbell, spin doctor extraordinaire and Blair's confidant quits.

September

The Reverend David Deeks, became the first Methodist General Secretary. A radical move as previously the Methodist Church had not been led by a single leader since Wesley himself.

Charles Bronson, star of the Death Wish series, the Great Escape and the Magnificent Seven, died aged 81.

England's men's cricket team managed to fight back against South Africa and share the Test series.

The prolific Palestinian/ American writer and academic, Edward Said, who fought for human rights, especially with regard to Palestine, died from leukaemia, aged 67.

A report is published by the Peruvian Truth and Reconciliation Commission, detailing how over 69,000 people were killed in Peru, between 1980 and 2000. The killings were by both the Shining Path Guerrillas and the State.

October

The last flight of Concorde, attracted crowds of well-wishers at Heathrow.

Monsanto, the GM multinational, announced that it was quitting business in Europe. The announcement was on the eve of a government report that declared mixed results for its GM crop trials.

Elderly Catholic Cardinals protested to the Pope, asking for the ban on those over 80 voting for the new Pope, to be removed.

Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor of California, despite the various accusations of sexual harassment during the run up to the poll.

Mother Teresa is beatified, bringing her ever closer to sainthood.

Paul Burrell published his book on Diana creating controversy across the media.

Mike Yaconelli, Greenbelter, author and speaker, dies age 61.

November

After 200 years of separation the Methodist Church and the Church of England made the first official step towards reconciliation during a covenant service, in which they promised to work towards organic unity.

The Anglican Communion faced schism as openly gay Canon Gene Robinson was consecrated as Bishop in New Hampshire.

The Eagle landed - well George W Bush did anyway for the first state visit of a US president for nearly 80 years. There were large-scale protests against the visit.

The Queen's Speech courted controversy as it included top up tuition fees, legal formal gay partnerships, stricter asylum rules, as well as missing out a ban on fox hunting.

ENGLAND WON THE WORLD CUP!
After 100 minutes of tension filled play, Johnny Wilkinson dropped a goal with 20 seconds to go, giving England the winning score of 20-17 against Australia.

The Democratic Unionist Party took the crown of the largest party in the elections for the Northern Ireland Assembly. Ian Paisley has refused to work with Sinn Fein and the Good Friday agreement leaving people wondering what is going to happen next.

December

At the Nigerian summit of the rest of the members, Zimbabwe's suspension was extended resulting in President Mugabe announcing that he had quit the Commonwealth.

750,000 England rugby fans filled the streets of London to celebrate the historic win, as their heroes travel the streets of London on open top buses.

Kiko, the star of Free Willy, died of pneumonia only 18 months after being released into the wild.

Saddam Hussein was captured, having been found hiding in an underground hole, in his hometown of Tikrit.

Ian Huntley was found guilty of murdering the two Soham schoolgirls, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. His former girlfriend, Maxine Carr, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice.

Colonel Muammar Gadafy announces that Libya is to rid itself of weapons of mass destruction.

Prizes galore as transvestite potter Grayson Perry won the Turner Prize, Johnny Wilkinson was voted Sports Personality of the Year, Steve Redgrave won Golden Sports Personality of the past 50 years, and Michelle McManus was voted Pop Idol 2003.