Pictures of 2016

Take a look at the year’s biggest events and newsmakers.

So much can happen in 366 days. A leap year, 2016 was filled with moments of joy, hope, triumph, disappointment, and tragedy.

Athletes thrilled us with their impressive skills and gave us reason to cheer. An American astronaut returned to Earth after a long stay in space and moved us closer to the goal of distant-space travel. Powerful forces of nature rocked nations and united us to offer help. And as one U.S. president entered his final days in office, the next president was chosen in an election season full of surprises.

Look back with TFK at some of the most memorable events of the past year.

JANUARY 12 President Barack Obama delivers his final STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS before a joint session of Congress.

JANUARY 16 At the request of Governor Rick Snyder, President Obama declares a state of emergency in FLINT, MICHIGAN. The city’s drinking water became polluted with high levels of lead when the city switched its water source in 2014 as a way to cut costs.

FEBRUARY 7 In SUPER BOWL 50, the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers 24–10. Peyton Manning becomes the first quarterback to steer two different teams to Super Bowl championships. He led the Indianapolis Colts in 2007. Manning retired on March 7.

FEBRUARY 28 INSIDE OUT wins an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

MARCH 2 NASA astronaut Scott Kelly RETURNS TO EARTH after a year aboard the International Space Station.

MARCH 20 President Obama becomes the first U.S. president to VISIT CUBA in 88 years.

APRIL 20 U.S. treasury secretary Jacob Lew announces that a new $20 BILL will feature abolitionist Harriet Tubman.

MAY 9 The American bison becomes the official national mammal of the United States after President Obama signs the NATIONAL BISON LEGACY ACT into law. The move honors the animal’s role in history, especiallyin many Native American cultures.

JUNE 19 The Cleveland Cavaliers win the 2016 NBA FINALS in Game 7. LeBron James takes the team to a 93–89 victory against the Golden State Warriors.

JUNE 23 The United Kingdom votes to LEAVE THE EUROPEAN UNION (E.U.). The votes were 52% in favor of leaving and 48% against. Currently, the E.U. is an economic partnership of 28 European nations.

JULY 21 At the REPUBLICAN CONVENTION, in Cleveland, Ohio, Donald Trump accepts the nomination for president, with Indiana governor Mike Pence as his running mate.

JULY 28 At the DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hillary Clinton becomes the first woman presidential nominee for a major party. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia is her running mate.

AUGUST 5 2016 SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES begin in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The U.S. dominates the Games, bringing home 121 medals, 46 of them gold. U.S. women gymnasts come away with seven medals.

SEPTEMBER 2 The orbiting Rosetta probe sends an image of the PHILAE LANDER, missing since 2014 after landing on a comet. The lander is wedged in a dark crack in the comet’s surface.

OCTOBER 26, 30 Three EARTHQUAKES rock Italy within days of each other. Two quakes occur back-to-back on October 26. The third, on October 30, measures 6.6 magnitude. It is the most powerful quake to hit Italy in 30 years.

NOVEMBER 2 The Chicago Cubs defeat the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 of the WORLD SERIES, in Cleveland, Ohio. The victory ends a 108-year championship drought for the Cubs.

November 8 In a surprise upset, Donald Trump defeats Hillary Clinton and is ELECTED the 45th president of the United States.

December 7 From December 1 to 11, ceremonies are held in Hawaii. They honor victims, survivors, and veterans on the 75th anniversary of the Japanese surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at PEARL HARBOR, on December 7, 1941. It forced the U.S. to enter World War II.