22 November 2004

The Orange Revolution begins in Ukraine, resulting from the presidential elections.

The Orange Revolution in Ukraine was a series of protests and political events that took place from late November 2004 to January 2005, triggered by widespread allegations of electoral fraud during the presidential elections. The election initially declared the pro-Russian candidate Viktor Yanukovych as the winner, but evidence of systematic manipulation and voter intimidation led to mass demonstrations, primarily centered in Kyiv’s Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti). These protests, characterized by their peaceful nature and the symbolic use of the color orange (representing Viktor Yushchenko’s campaign), united citizens across various social and regional lines. Following weeks of sustained pressure, the Supreme Court of Ukraine annulled the fraudulent results and ordered a re-run, which Yushchenko subsequently won. The Orange Revolution marked a pivotal moment in Ukraine’s post-Soviet history, underscoring the population’s desire for democratic reforms, greater transparency, and a move towards Western integration.

12 February 2004

The city of San Francisco begins issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in response to a directive from Mayor Gavin Newsom.

The recognition of same-sex marriage in San Francisco and throughout California went through several legal and political developments.

Proposition 8: In 2008, California passed Proposition 8, which amended the state’s constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage. This led to legal challenges and controversy.

Hollingsworth v. Perry: The case of Hollingsworth v. Perry challenged the constitutionality of Proposition 8. In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the proponents of Proposition 8 did not have legal standing to defend the law in court. As a result, the District Court’s ruling that Proposition 8 was unconstitutional stood, effectively legalizing same-sex marriage in California.

Obergefell v. Hodges: In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court, in the landmark case of Obergefell v. Hodges, legalized same-sex marriage across the United States. This decision affirmed the right to marriage equality for same-sex couples in all 50 states, including California.