The year 2008 started out ordinary and boring like any other year, but took a brusque turn towards the end of the year.
The amazing Beijing Olympic opening ceremony awed the world in August, amidst global scrutiny over China's actions against Tibet.
Shortly after, Russia invaded Georgia in a bloody campaign that dominated the headlines for days.
Russia outraged at America's plans to erect "missle-shields" in eastern Europe.
Tsunamis, earthquakes and hurricanes had the world on its knees.
Poisonous milk from China, tainted meat from Canada and other catastrophic food poisoning scandals plagued the world.
The first African-American president of the United States was elected following a rigorous brainwashing campaign. The rest of the world almost "liked" America for a minute.
The world economy entered recession as market indices performed worse than they did during the Great Depression.
Millions of jobs on the line as banks and automakers pled for more of American's money in order to survive.
Zimbabwian election plagued by violence and corruption, pirates seized control of Somalian cities, militants killed hundreds in Mumbai attack, protesters locked down airport in Bangkok, and Israelis launched air raids against Palestinians killing hundreds of civilians in the Gaza strip.
Casualties from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to rise.
Trillions of dollars of money were pulled out of thin air by governments to "rescue" the world from chaos.
Democracy failed in 2008. But what's going to happen in 2009?
