Call it nostalgia or being made to feel past one’s prime, it’s always fun to dive back into the past and remember the trends, fashions and events which helped shape an era.

In celebration of the Dragon Ride’s 20^th anniversary next year, we’re throwing it back to 2004 where it all began. This was a time when a pint cost £2.10 and a loaf of bread was 57p – crazy!

So, besides from the Dragon Ride roaring into life in 2004, what else was hot at the time? Let’s set out for a spin down memory lane; here’s 9 smoking hot things that happened in 2004:

1. The launch of Facebook

Who remembers life without social media? 20 years ago, text message and the landline were still going strong – until Facebook launched in February 2004 and changed our social habits forever.

2. The Gmail revolution

It seems the modern era of the web truly did begin in 2004; alongside social media, Gmail also launched in the April of 2004. Gmail revolutionised how people used emails and used the infrastructure of how we use emails today!

3. The last episode of Friends

It was a bittersweet moment for the millions of Friends viewers as the emotional final episode aired on 6^th May 2004. The beloved sitcom ran for ten years from 1994 – 2004 and is one of the most watched sitcoms in history.

4. The Killers Release ‘Hot Fuss’

You know an album was really good when you still remember the lyrics to every song two decades later! In June 2002, American rock band the Killers released their debut album ‘Hot Fuss’. It spawned the hit singles “Mr. Brightside”, “Somebody Told Me”, “All These Things That I’ve Done” and “Smile Like You Mean It” – absolute classics!

5. Maria Sharapova wins Wimbledon at 17 years of age

The 2004 Wimbledon Championships saw Roger Federer take the men’s title (no surprises there), yet the competition was rocked when two-time defending champion Serena Williams was beaten in the final by then little-known 17-year-old Russian Maria Sharapova.

6. Greece wins Euro 20024

In an upset for the ages, unfancied Greece went all the way in the 2004 European Championships beating hosts Portugal in the Final. The 150/1 outsiders stunned the World to claim their first and only international trophy. Having previously only ever scored 1 goal in major tournament history this has to be one of Sports greatest moments.

7. The Olympics in Athens

The 2004 Olympic games were held in the birthplace of the event in Athens, Greece.10,625 athletes took part in the Games, including Kelly Holmes who won her second gold medal that year and record-breaking U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps.

8. The first ever parkrun – with 13 runners!

The first ever parkrun was held in Bushy Park under the original name Bushy Park Time Trial. Just 13 runners were in attendance – a far cry from the thousands of runners who take part all over the UK every Saturday today!

9.The Incredibles film

Ka-pow! The Incredibles burst onto the Disney Pixar scene in November 2004 and the smash-hit box office phenomenon remains a firm film favourite with families to this day. With a fabulous plot, loveable characters and plenty of laughs, The Incredibles was a recipe for success!

We hope you enjoyed this article about nostalgia from 2004. To learn more about the Dragon Ride’s first firing up in 2004, read The Origins of the Dragon Ride here.