On this day
Revisit the news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.
In 2004, the world population was approximately 6,503,377,772 people[†]
2004Sune Bergström, Swedish biochemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1916)[†]
Karl Sune Detlof Bergström was a Swedish biochemist. In 1975, he was appointed to the Nobel Foundation Board of Directors in Sweden, and was awarded the Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize from Columbia University, together with Bengt I. Samuelsson. He shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Bengt I. Samuelsson and John R. Vane in 1982, for discoveries concerning prostaglandins and related substances.
2004Amarsinh Chaudhary, Indian politician, 8th Chief Minister of Gujarat (born 1941)[†]
Amarsinh Bhilabhai Chaudhary was an Indian politician. He became the first adivasi to serve as the Chief Minister of Gujarat when he took office in 1985.
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American ballet companies have recently begun allowing donors to sponsor individual dancers, for amounts range from $2,500 to $100,000 a year; some ballet companies even compile and distribute rosters, which look eerily like shopping lists, specifying their dancers' ranks and prices; new initiative has generated good deal of controversy; in process, it has raised awkward questions about how far companies will go to generate revenue; about relative popularity of various dancers, and about what exactly patrons are buying; some sponsors and dancers they sponsor comment; photos (M)
Hurricane Charley rumbles north on treacherous path, surging past Carolinas and into Virginia as a weakening tropical storm after punishing Florida with some of most widespread, wrenching devastation in its history; emergency officials say fearsome hurricane left thousands temporarily homeless and at least 13 people dead in Florida; Gov Jeb Bush comments; photos (L)
Keith Martin reviews BMW's new 6 series convertible; photo (M)
just don't say 'synergy' to a hewle
Margaret Atwood reviews book Snow by Orhan Pamuk; drawings (M)
Truce talks between Iraq's interim government and Moktada al-Sadr's rebels collapse, prompting American commanders to prepare new battle plans for breaking Sadr's grip on holy city of Najaf and Imam Ali mosque; American marines and soldiers line up in tanks and armored vehicles at their base in Najaf, but offensive is called off for second time in recent days; American commanders in Najaf say Dr Ayad Allawi has decided to turn to Iraqi forces, not American, to take lead against Sadr at such a sensitive location; photo (M)
Lisa Belkin column says superheroes of comic books offer no clue on how to balance real life; says Peter Parker (Spider-Man) comes closest to being average guy: working at menial jobs, caring for his aunt and courting a girlfriend when he is not tending to his superhero responsibilities; drawing (M)
Edmund L Andrews Economic View column on tax reforms Pres Bush's aides weigh to enliven his economic platform; questions voter appetite for big tax changes, despite widespread view that current system is complex and unfair; notes even general proposal could open up debate full of potential minefields at time when Sen John Kerry is already charging Bush tax cuts overwhelmingly flow to wealthiest taxpayers; graphs of economic data; photo (M)
Vijay Singh takes third-round lead at PGA Championship; photos (M)
In St. Joseph, Mich., job losses have taken a toll. But President Bush, who narrowly lost the state to Al Gore in 2004, has both loyalists and doubters there. Page 20.
Jeff Sabatini article on BMW's new 6 series; reviews 2004 BMW 645Ci; photos (M)
Interview with developer David Walentas on his 115-acre equestrian center and second home in Bridgehampton, NY; photos (Habitats column) (M)