By Cathi Coppinger
The Carolina Panthers are set to appear in Super Bowl 50. This is their 2nd Super Bowl appearance the first being in 2004. Super Bowl 38 was played by the Carolina Panthers taking on the New England Patriots The Patriots defeated the Panthers, making their first Super Bowl appearance, by the score of 32–29, winning their second Super Bowl in three years. At the time, this was the most watched Super Bowl ever with 144.4 million viewers. The game is also known for its controversial halftime show in which Janet Jackson‘s breast, adorned with a nipple shield, was exposed by Justin Timberlake for about half a second, in what was later referred to as a “wardrobe malfunction“. Along with the rest of the halftime show, it led to an immediate crackdown by the Federal Communications Commission, and widespread debate on perceived indecency in broadcasting.
Let’s take a look back at the year that was 2004:
George W. Bush was President of the United State with Vice-President Dick Chaney at his side. 55% of American adult internet users had broadband at home or work. U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) wins the Iowa Democratic caucus. The CIA admits that there was no imminent threat from weapons of mass destruction before the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The 76th Academy Awards were hosted by Billy Crystal with The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King directed by Peter Jackson, winning a record-tying 11 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. John Kerry effectively clinches the 2004 Democratic Party presidential nomination by winning nine out of 10 “Super Tuesday” primaries and caucuses. The final episode of Friends airs on NBC. The last Oldsmobile rolls off of the assembly line. 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan died at his home in Bel-Air, California at the age of 93. Construction of the Freedom Tower in New York City began. The United States won 36 gold, 39 silver and 27 bronze medals at the summer Olympics in Greece. The redesigned $50 bill was released. The Boston Red Sox won the World Series for the first time since 1918. The United States re-elected George W. Bush to a second term as President of the United States, defeating John Kerry. Brian Williams replaces Tom Brokaw as weeknight anchor for NBC Nightly News.
Notable deaths: Bob Keeshan, Captain Kangaroo, Jack Paar, comedian and television host, Alan King, comedian and actor , Tony Randall, actor, comedian, Ray Charles, singer, composer, and musician, Marlon Brando, actor, Rick James, singer, Fay Wray, Canadian-born American actress known for her role in the original King Kong, Julia Child, celebrity chef, Laura Branigan, singer, Rodney Dangerfield, comedian and actor , Christopher Reeve, actor, Reggie White, Green Bay Packer great and Jerry Orbach, actor and singer
