2005

New Year’s celebrations all over the UK fall silent for two minutes as a mark of respect for those who died in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Tony Blair becomes the longest-serving Labour Prime Minister, exceeding the combined record of Harold Wilson’s two spells in power (1964–1970 and 1974–1976).
The Royal Navy announces that it will allow same-sex couples to live in family quarters if they are in registered partnership.
Microsoft founder Bill Gates receives an honorary knighthood for contributions to enterprise in the UK and efforts to reduce world poverty.
The wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles (who takes the title Duchess of Cornwall) in a twenty-minute ceremony at Windsor Guildhall is followed by a blessing at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
Britain’s quadricentennial Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated, 400 years to the day of the Gunpowder Plot.
The Civil Partnership Act 2004 comes into force, granting same-sex couples similar legal rights to those of married heterosexuals. The first civil partnership in the United Kingdom under the normal application of the new rules is registered at Belfast City Hall between Shannon Sickles and Grainne Close. The first partnerships in Scotland are registered on 20 December and in England on 21 December.

The BBC broadcasts Jerry Springer – The Opera despite receiving at least 45,000 complaints.
Doctor Who is revived as a TV series by the BBC, having been discontinued in December 1989, starring former Cracker actor Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor and pop star Billie Piper as his assistant Rose Tyler.
7 July – A series of co-ordinated terrorist bombings strike London’s public transport system during the morning rush hour. Three bombs exploded within fifty seconds of each other on three London Underground trains. A fourth bomb exploded on a bus an hour later in Tavistock Square. 52 civilians are killed and over 700 people were injured.

Bob Geldof announces plans for a concert, Live 8, like Live Aid, which took place in 1985, to coincide with the G8 Summit in Edinburgh this July.
Pink Floyd announce that they will reunite with former bassist Roger Waters, who left the band in 1985, on 2 July for the Live 8 London concert. This would be the first time the band played together as a quartet since The Wall tour in 1981, and the first public performance by Pink Floyd since 1994.
Shayne Ward is named winner of the second series of The X Factor. Andy Abraham is named runner-up, while Journey South and Brenda Edwards finish third and fourth respectively.

Artist	Title
Edison Lighthouse	Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)
Lee Marvin	Wand’rin Star
Simon & Garfunkel	Bridge Over Troubled Water
Dana	All Kinds Of Everything
Norman Greenbaum	Spirit In The Sky
England World Cup Squad	Back Home
Christie	Yellow River
Mungo Jerry	In The Summertime
Elvis Presley	The Wonder Of You
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles	Tears Of A Clown
Freda Payne	Band Of Gold
Matthews’ Southern Comfort	Woodstock
Jimi Hendrix Experience	Voodoo Chile
Dave Edmunds	I Hear You Knockin’

Ellen MacArthur attains the solo around the world sailing record, returning to Falmouth the following day. Although subsequently beaten, this remains a record for women (as of 2019).
Arsenal become the first team to win the FA Cup on penalties, after they defeat Manchester United in a shootout that follows a nil-nil draw.
London is chosen as the host city for the 2012 Olympic Games, beating Paris in the final round of votes 54 to 50.
The Ricoh Arena, a 32,500-seat multi-purpose stadium in Coventry, is opened. Owned by the local council, Coventry City F.C. are its key tenants and it is also likely to be used as a concert venue. Japanese electrical goods manufacturer Ricoh purchased the stadium’s naming rights in a multimillion-pound deal last year.
England cricket team wins The Ashes.

Related…