As a new year begins, it’s important to take the time to look back at the biggest headlines and events from 2013. The past year had its ups, its downs, and its fair share of excitement.
The year started out with a bang when bicyclist and multiple Tour de France victor Lance Armstrong admitted to using performance enhancing drugs in an interview with talk show host Oprah Winfrey. He owned up to cheating and bullying anyone who had evidence against him. After the surprising confession, the federal government and fellow cyclist Floyd Landis filled a lawsuit against Armstrong for defrauding the U.S. Postal Service.
In March there was a more cheerful and hopeful story in the news when Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio was elected pope. He took the new name of Pope Francis and become the first pope from outside of Europe. His increasing popularity resulted in a boom in Sunday Mass attendance and Catholic school enrollment as well as being named TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year for 2013.
On April 15 there was chaos in Boston when an explosion went off near the Boston marathon finish line. The attack killed three people and left dozens injured. The nation watched as victims told their stories and police searched for two brothers who were the only suspects. After the older brother was killed in a gun battle with police, the younger brother was captured from a trailered boat. The capture ended a 24-hour manhunt and gave the nation a sigh of relief.
As Boston was recovering, an incredibly heroic story stole the headlines. In Cleveland, Ohio, a frantic Amanda Berry called 911 and said, “I’ve been kidnapped, and I’ve been missing for 10 years, and I’m here. I’m free now.” Berry was held captive with two other girls, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight, for years in a man’s house. All three women were kidnapped as girls, held against their will and subjected to multiple forms of abuse and neglect until they broke out by kicking out a screen door and calling for help. The Cleveland police and the FBI hailed Berry as a hero for her daring escape and all girls are happy to be home as well as relieved to see their captors arrested.
In June an NSA contractor named Edward Snowden leaked confidential information about the American government’s “spying” of citizens and foreign dignitaries. Snowden said the government has collected phone records and other meta-data. As a result, a federal judge ruled that the NSA program collecting meta-data likely violates the U.S. Constitution, President Obama lost favorability, and Snowden moved to Russia.
On July 13 Cory Monteith, best known for his character Finn Hudson on “Glee” was found dead in his Vancouver hotel room when he failed to check out. His co-star and real-life girlfriend Lea Michelle’s first public comment about Monteith’s death became the year’s most-retweeted Tweet.
In October all eyes turned to Washington as the federal government worked to open their health care website. The site was defective and couldn’t handle the large amount of people logging on. The site also had incorrect information about insurance companies. Many Americans also had their current insurance plans cancelled because the plan didn’t meet the health care law standard. Since then the website has had significant improvements, but President Obama’s reputation has taken a hit.
Also in October a political scandal from Canada made headlines. The mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, had been filmed smoking crack. The video was turned into police and mounting pressure built for Ford to step down, which he refused to do. Ford also denied smoking crack only to reverse his statement and admit to the act while in a “drunken stupor.”
Near Thanksgiving the famous actor from the “Fast and Furious” franchise, Paul Walker, died in a car accident. He was riding with a friend in Southern California when the car unexpectedly crashed, killing both men.
On December 15, the world came together to celebrate a man’s life. Nelson Mandela died on December 5 and was a hero to the blacks of South Africa. He was known for his activist activities that ended race discrimination as well as being South Africa’s first black chief executive to be elected. Approximately 90 representatives of foreign states travelled to South Africa to attend memorial events, including President Obama.
As we say goodbye to another year it’s important to remember the hard times, the good times and the amazing times. Every year is filled with heartbreak and triumph and 2014 will be no different.