This year began with all eyes on Iraq as U.S. and coalition forces prepared for war and ended with the capture of Saddam Hussein. In between, public interest widened from troop movement to other high profile stories that spotlighted social issues like child abduction, legal action surrounding sex charges, civil rights for gays, safety in space exploration, the spread of global diseases and the upcoming 2004 U.S. presidential election. Overview »
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From Bob Hope to Sen. Strom Thurmond, 2003 witnessed the deaths of many notable politicians, entertainers, athletes and scientists.
U.S. soldiers braved attacks and chaos in Iraq to unseat and capture Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and earn TIME's distinction as its Persons of the Year.