2005 began with the Indian Ocean tsunami's aftermath, which shook the world and triggered an unprecedented global humanitarian response. In the United States, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in August, and The 7/7 bombings in London were another stark reminder of global tensions.
The Harry Potter phenomenon reached new heights with the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. On the red carpet, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt ignited the "Brangelina" craze, while his split from Jennifer Aniston dominated tabloids. Kanye West’s Late Registration redefined hip-hop and Madonna’s Confessions on a Dance Floor got us all twirling. YouTube launched, making it easier than ever to avoid doing laundry or anything productive. Google Earth gave everyone the power to explore the world, while the New Horizons spacecraft was launched—setting its sights on Pluto.
The art scene saw Roy Lichtenstein’s “In the Car” sell for a staggering $16.2 million at Christie’s, capturing the pop art zeitgeist. On screens big and small, Brokeback Mountain broke barriers in cinema, while Lost had viewers glued to their seats, obsessed with the mysteries of a strange island. And, of course, we all grooved to the sounds of a year that was anything but ordinary...
