Plane landing on hudson river: January 15, 2009

A US Airways jet struck a flock of geese shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport and crashed in the Hudson River on January 15th. All 148 passengers and 5 crew members were safely evacuated from the plane and taken to safety. Chesley Sullenberger III was the pilot on the plane and created a media buzz where he was dubbed a "National Hero." Sullenberger tried his best to avoid the media and said,"I'm no hero, I was simply doing my job."

Obama January 20, 2009

The troubled economy and efforts to revamp the nation’s health care system dominated the public’s news interest in 2009. From the year’s start, Americans kept a close watch on the unfolding economic crisis, as well as Barack Obama’s efforts to grapple with the crisis while trying to make good on campaign promises. As of January 2nd, 24% of the nation Strongly-Approve of Obama's actions after one year. However, 42% Strongly-Disapprove of his actions.

Pic: U.S. President Barack Obama still has a lot to prove after one year in office.

Twitter: February, 2009

Stimulus February 17, 2009

Responding to what experts called the worst U.S. economic threat since the Great Depression, President Obama signs a $787 billion stimulus bill into law, which includes $212 billion in tax cuts, $267 billion in safety net spending and appropriations totaling $308 billion for projects nationwide.

Swine Flu April, 2009

The nation was taken by surprise by a new epidemic in March that started and Mexico and quickly spread to all of the United States. By the end of 2009, the total number of confirmed cases for the entire flu pandemic was at a staggering 105,086. The number of confirmed deaths was at 2,886. As of November 19th, over 65 million doses of a vaccination have been delivered to certified vaccination centers in 16 countries. At least 3 billion vaccines will be delivered annually.

Susan Boyle April 11, 2009

Susan Magdalane Boyle is a Scottish singer who came to international public attention when she appeared as a contestant on reality TV programme Britain's Got Talent on 11 April 2009, singing "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables. Her first album was released in November 2009 and debuted as the number one best-selling CD on charts around the globe. The most popular YouTube video submission of her audition garnered nearly 2.5 million views in the first 72 hours.

Iranian election June 12, 2009

Incumbant Mahmoud Ahmadinejad defeated challenger Mir-Hossein Mousavi by receiving 66% of the vote. The challenger disputed the results, claiming the election was rigged. Anger sparked months of riots in the country, as college students took to the streets defying government.

Michael Jackson June 25, 2009

On June 25, the world was rocked by the news that Michael Jackson had died suddenly -- and mysteriously, it soon emerged -- at the young age of 50. It was front-page news everywhere you turned, sparking a frenzy of TV and online commentary and speculation. Even U.S. President Barack Obama pronounced, "Like Elvis, like Sinatra, like the Beatles, he became a core part of our culture." Nearly two months afterward, Jackson's death was ruled a homicide caused by a drug overdose, followed by the news that his personal physician could be charged with manslaughter.

Aug 18

The only player to make both the on field and off field lists. Brett Favre's off the field indecision consumed football fans for the better part of the summer, but his on the field performance has been the story of the NFL season.