The year 2009, designated as the ‘International year of Astronomy’ and the ‘International year of Natural fibers’, saw some noteworthy occurences. The below list talks about the chronological list of ten of the biggest events in  2009. 

1.      Jan 20th 2009 – Barack Obama’s presidential Inauguration – the Historical event 

Barack Obama becomes the 44th and the first Africal American president of the United States of America. The inaugural function was so colorful and widely anticipated that it set a record attendance for any event in Washington, D.C. 

2.      Feb 7th 2009 – Australian bush fire – Hottest Fatality

 This devastating “Black Saturday” bushfire that started on Febraury 7th and lasted till March 14th in Victoria, Australia, destroyed enormous amount of houses along with a human toll of 173. 

3.      May 18th 2009 – LTTE defeat – Velupillai Prabakaran killed – End of an era 

After more than a quarter century of fighting, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), was defeated by the Srilankan Military, following the decease of its founder, Velupillai Prabhakaran.

 4.      June 1st 2009 – Air France 447 crash – The lethal flight 

The flight that was from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil to Paris, France, crashed into the Atlantic ocean killing all 216 passengers and 12 crew members, making it the deadliest in the history of Air France. Mystery still prevails over the cause of the crash since the black box recorder hasn’t been found. 

5.      June 11th 2009 – Swine flu outbreak – A global pandemic 

The H1N1 strain of influenza, commonly known as the “Swine Flu” started in Mexico around the mid of April and progressed throughout the world causing 14,286 conformed deaths worldwide till date. It was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Jun 11th. 

6.      Jun 25th 2009 – Michael Jackson – Music loses its ‘M’ 

The King of Pop breathed his last on Jun 25th, due to a cardiac arrest, at his home in Holmby Hills in California. He was in the process of rehearsing for his London shows “This is it”. Media and internet had the world’s complete attention while reporting his death and his funeral that was held on July 7th 2009. 

7.      Jul 22nd 2009 – Longest Solar Eclipse – Eclipse of the generation 

The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century happened on July 22nd, lasting for a maximum of 6 minutes and 39 seconds. It was observed in parts of eastern China, Japan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh. The next such long solar eclipse is expected on June 13th, 2132. 

8.      Nov. 25th 2009 – Tiger woods scandal – Reputation destroyed 

The No. 1 World Golf Champion lost his Mr. Clean image over the revelation of his multiple infidelities over the media. He announced an indefinite leave from professional golf on December 11th 2009 to set right his impaired marriage. 

9.      Dec 7 – 18th 2009 – Copenhagen Climate Change conference – Meet for a constructive cause 

The United Nations Climate Change Conference was held from December 7th to December 18th in Copenhagen, Denmark, to discuss the impact of the drastic climatic changes. The accord was not passed unanimously and the media reported that the climatic talks were “in a disarray”.

 10.  Financial recession and recovery – The doom and the bloom 

Year 2008 saw the tumbling down of great empires that lead to a deep financial recession. Early 2009 was similar and reported huge number of job losses and business closures. Economy seemed to step up in the latter half of 2009 and is still coping up. 

Well, 2009 was made mostly of thorns amidst a few roses. Hope Year 2010 brings luck and prosperity to everyone and becomes the most celebrated year!! 

Welcome 2010!!