The year began with saying goodbye to George W. Bush and the inauguration of America's first black President Barack Obama.
"Are you prepared to take the oath, Senator?"
"I am."
"I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear..."
"I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear..."
A few stumbles later, a history is made.
"... (that I will execute the office of) president of United States faithfully."
Obama's first year in office had begun.
"I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect."
Less than nine months into his term, Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, a choice that drew criticism and praise. Obama accepted his Peace Prize nine days after committing more troops to Afghanistan.
"And as commander-in-chief, I have determined that it is in our vital national interest to send an additional 30,000 US troops to Afghanistan."
Iran also made history launching its first home-made satellite into orbit days ahead of marking its 30th anniversary of the revolution.
In April, some UN delegates walked out of a conference on racism, protesting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's criticism of Israel. Hecklers were also removed for calling him a racist.
In June, Ahmadinejad is declared winner of Iran’s bitterly-fought election, but his rivals alleged vote rigging. Tens of thousands take to streets in protest. At least 30 people are killed and more than 1,000 are arrested.
In Afghanistan, some lost credibility over fake votes for Hamid Karzai in his re-election. Since, western leaders have pressured him to clamp down on widespread corruption.
A surprise visit to North Korea by former US President Bill Clinton who brought home two American journalists sentenced to 12 years' hard labor.
Controversy over the release of a former Libyan agent jailed for life for the 1988 Lockerbie bombing because he's dying of cancer.
Sri Lankan state television showed pictures of who they said was the body of the Tamil Tigers' leader, ending a 25-year civil war.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was attacked at a rally by a man with a history of mental illness. Berlusconi suffered a broken nose and teeth.
The biggest climate meeting in history with 15,000 in Copenhagen ends with a bare-minimum agreement.
"The world is expecting us to reach some kind of agreement concerning climate change, not just continuing discussing procedure, procedure, procedure."
Natalie Armstrong, Reuters.
