With 11 months just about down and one to go, 2009 is almost over. Before end of year celebrations, or commiserations, get too hectic, let's use this opportunity to take a stroll back through the big news stories of 2009. From the devastating to the exhilarating and the bits and pieces in between.

First up, the stories that shocked, saddened or frustrated us:

Global economic crisis: the banks are baled out by the government, the banks award their employees big (BIG) bonuses. Uproar ensues, & rightly so.

Global outbreak of swine flu (H1N1): sneezing is now suspicious behaviour and the sale of mouth and nose masks soar, but perhaps with due reason, the virus has cost thousands of lives.

David Tennant, everyone's favourite Doctor, devastated Whovians around the world when, in 2008, he announced that the end was nigh for his incarnation of the Doctor. 2009 would see his final episodes as the Doctor, he would be time travelling no longer. But he came good when he delighted fans at Comic Con when he kissed John Barrowman.

In May, North Korea defied the 2006 United Nations resolution when it went ahead with a nuclear test that seismologists confirmed had the power of a 4.5 earth quake (source). A move condemned by the wider international community, and described by Susan Rice, U.S Ambassador to the United Nations as "a grave violation of international law".

The news of Michael Jackson's death shocked the world on the 25th of June, gone but not forgotten, he'll always be the King of Pop.

After what will be a 25 year run as reigning Queen of day time television, Oprah announces her plans to call time on her talk show in September 2011. In a similar turn of events, much loved award winning Australian comedian and talk show host Rove McManus announced on his 2009 season finale that the show would be his last. An end of an era was heralded with Rove adapting what has become his weekly show sign off of 'Say hi to your mums for me' this time asking his audience to... 'Say bye to your Mum for me'.

Fortunately, it's not all been so dreary. 2009 has had it's fair share of stuff that falls firmly under the category of things that just make you stop and say AWESOME. Let's take a look at some of the moments that made 2009 an awesome year:

JK Wedding Dance
When Jill Peterson and Kevin Heinz decided to dance their way into wedded bliss they could not have predicted the level of international acclaim that their wedding entrance dance would receive. The video has been watched by millions around the world and has earned them scores of television appearances. The couple have used this exposure positively, setting up an official Jill and Kevin Wedding Dance website where they invite donations to the Sheila Wellstone Institute which aims to eradicate domestic violence. Stop by jkweddingdance.com for more information and to donate. Move over Gisele & Tom, the Wedding Of The Year crown goes to Jill and Kevin!



Obama Becomes President of the United States of America
Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States of America on the 20th of January 2009. Just months later he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." Yes We Can!


Photo by SpreePiX - Berlin.


US Airways Flight 1549 Lands in NYC's Hudson River
A US Airways flight on its way to North Carolina was forced to land only 6 minutes after take off after striking a flock of Canadian geese. All 155 passengers on board were successfully evacuated. In New York's Hudson River! Three cheers for the pilot!


Photo by jimdavidson.


Lady Gaga Demands Equality
In between the string of chart topping hits and tearing up the festival circuit, Lady Gaga found time to support the LGBT community and campaign for equality. The the empassioned speech at the National LGBT Equality march? The rendition of Imagine at the Human Rights Campaign National Equality Dinner for Gay Rights? We bow down to you, Lady. Check both spectacular moments below:





Kurt Fearnley Conquers the Kokoda Trail
Defying the odds and proving that with a bit of grunt and determination most anything is achievable, 28 year old paralympian Kurt Fearnley conquered Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea. What makes this tale so undeniably impressive is that Fearnley was born without legs and so, using his hands, crawled the 96 kilometre track. And if that's not enough, Fearnley used to trip to raise awareness for Movember.


Photo by 768.



This list is by no means exhaustive, it's not even comprehensive, that's where you come in - what's made your 2009 awesome... or not-so-awesome?