Spring Break
The Daily OrangeTop News Stories of 2008
By
Posted: 1/13/09, 1:26 AM EST Section: Best of 2008
More than 3,900 people, and as many as 15,000 people, were killed in a cyclone in Myanmar last May. Thousands were left homeless and the death toll marked the highest in the Asian region since the 2004 tsunami.
7. Chinese Earthquakes
A mere three months before China's spotlight on the world stage for the 2008 Olympics, tragedy struck the province of Sichuan when a magnitude 7.9 earthquake killed over 55,000 people. Rescue efforts from around the world were hampered by inaccessibility and the sheer scale of the disaste, and the country fell into a three-day period of mourning. Aid from both outside and within China flowed swiftly afterwards, raising billions of dollars from nations, companies and individuals to help cope with the disaster.
8. Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Spitzer won the 2006 New York state election on a platform of ethics and integrity, which only made his downfall the more ironic. After a federal investigation revealed that he had been involved with a high-end prostitution ring and a 22-year-old escort named Ashley Dupré, Spitzer promptly fumbled a terse apology and resigned his post as governor.
9. Heath Ledger's death
The young actor, previously famous for his roles in "Brokeback Mountain" and "A Knight's Tale," died of an accidental drug overdose shortly after he filmed "The Dark Knight." The film was released in July and grossed more than $400 million, earning Ledger a posthumous Golden Globe - his first - for his portrayal of the demented villain, "The Joker."
10. Murder of Kaylee Anthony
The disappearance and murder of toddler Kaylee Anthony exploded onto the national media scene when CNN reporter Nancy Grace introduced the situation on her show. The coverage lasted for months as mother Casey Anthony was put on trial for the murder.
11. Buying off Obama's senate seat
Rod R. Blagojevich, governor of Illinois, was found trying to sell Obama's senate seat to the highest bidder, among other charges of corruption.
7. Chinese Earthquakes
A mere three months before China's spotlight on the world stage for the 2008 Olympics, tragedy struck the province of Sichuan when a magnitude 7.9 earthquake killed over 55,000 people. Rescue efforts from around the world were hampered by inaccessibility and the sheer scale of the disaste, and the country fell into a three-day period of mourning. Aid from both outside and within China flowed swiftly afterwards, raising billions of dollars from nations, companies and individuals to help cope with the disaster.
8. Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Spitzer won the 2006 New York state election on a platform of ethics and integrity, which only made his downfall the more ironic. After a federal investigation revealed that he had been involved with a high-end prostitution ring and a 22-year-old escort named Ashley Dupré, Spitzer promptly fumbled a terse apology and resigned his post as governor.
9. Heath Ledger's death
The young actor, previously famous for his roles in "Brokeback Mountain" and "A Knight's Tale," died of an accidental drug overdose shortly after he filmed "The Dark Knight." The film was released in July and grossed more than $400 million, earning Ledger a posthumous Golden Globe - his first - for his portrayal of the demented villain, "The Joker."
10. Murder of Kaylee Anthony
The disappearance and murder of toddler Kaylee Anthony exploded onto the national media scene when CNN reporter Nancy Grace introduced the situation on her show. The coverage lasted for months as mother Casey Anthony was put on trial for the murder.
11. Buying off Obama's senate seat
Rod R. Blagojevich, governor of Illinois, was found trying to sell Obama's senate seat to the highest bidder, among other charges of corruption.
Be the first to comment on this story