What Happened This Year 2005
Historical Events from This Year 2005
NASA Grounds Space Shuttle for Investigation
After foam insulation debris incidents during STS-114, NASA decided to suspend Space Shuttle launches. This decision was taken as a precautionary measure pending a thorough investigation into the ongoing issue of foam shedding from the external fuel tank, which had raised significant safety concerns. Engineers, faced with the dangerous potential for damage to orbiters, focused on rectifying the problem to ensure astronaut safety and mission integrity in future flights.
Continue ReadingIRA Ends Armed Campaign Against British Rule
The Provisional Irish Republican Army announced the end of its thirty-year armed campaign aimed at ending British rule in Northern Ireland. This announcement was made during a televised address from a representative in Dublin, highlighting a significant shift toward political means of achieving reunification under the Good Friday Agreement framework. The group encouraged its members to disengage from armed activities, marking a pivotal moment in Northern Irish politics and society.
Continue ReadingAstronomers Reveal Dwarf Planet Eris Discovery
Astronomers announced the discovery of a new dwarf planet named Eris, located in the scattered disc region of the solar system. Discovered by a team led by Mike Brown at the Palomar Observatory in California, Eris is slightly smaller than Pluto but has more mass. The discovery has significant implications for the classification of celestial bodies and the understanding of the outer solar system, as Eris was found to be a part of the same group that includes other trans-Neptunian objects.
Continue ReadingAir France Flight 358 Accident in Toronto
Air France Flight 358, an Airbus A340, landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport after a transatlantic flight from Paris. Upon landing, the aircraft failed to stop on the runway, ultimately running off into a ravine, leading to a fire. Fortunately, there were no fatalities among the 309 passengers and crew, though 12 individuals sustained injuries as a result. The incident raised questions about airport safety and emergency response protocols.
Continue ReadingMilitary Coup Against Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya
Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya, the President of Mauritania, was overthrown in a military coup while attending the funeral of King Fahd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The coup was led by military leaders discontented with Taya's governance, marking a significant shift in Mauritania's political landscape. The overthrow happened swiftly, with key military officers executing the plan during the funeral proceedings, which drew international attention due to its timing and the high-profile nature of the event.
Continue ReadingHelios Airways Flight 522 Crash in Greece
Helios Airways Flight 522, a scheduled flight from Larnaca to Prague with a stopover in Athens, tragically crashed into the hills near Grammatiko, Greece. The Boeing 737-300 lost cabin pressure shortly after takeoff, leading to the incapacitation of the crew and passengers. Despite efforts to regain control and descend to find breathable air, the aircraft ran out of fuel and crashed, killing all 121 on board.
Continue ReadingHelsinki Agreement Concludes Aceh Conflict
The Helsinki Agreement marked the end of nearly three decades of conflict between the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian government. The deal was reached after years of negotiations facilitated by international mediators, primarily Finland, in the city of Helsinki. The agreement aimed to establish a framework for peace and autonomy for the Acehnese people following a brutal insurgency that resulted in significant loss of life and displaced many. The signing was attended by representatives from both sides and was celebrated as a major step toward lasting peace in the region.
Continue ReadingIsrael's Disengagement from Gaza and West Bank Settlements
The plan initiated by Israel involved the withdrawal of all Israeli civilian presence from the Gaza Strip and four settlements in the northern West Bank. This decision aimed to enhance security in Israel and reduce friction with Palestinians, marking a significant change in Israeli policy towards occupied territories. The operation was executed under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and garnered mixed reactions domestically and internationally.
Continue ReadingTragic Crash of West Caribbean Airways Flight 708
West Caribbean Airways Flight 708, operated with a McDonnell Douglas MD-82, crashed near Machiques, Venezuela, resulting in the loss of all 160 individuals onboard. The flight, originating from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, was en route to Martinique. Tragically, the plane encountered severe atmospheric conditions, which contributed to its crash shortly after takeoff. This incident prompted investigations into aviation safety in the region.
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