Goodbye, two-thousand-and-eight; you will be remembered by many as a year of massive change. America elected its first black president this year; China played a central role in world sports by hosting the Beijing Olympics; and the financial markets collapsed under the weight of a massive credit crunch.
In this, my first post for 2009, I bring you some Flickr photos for some of the most notable moments of our infamous 2008.
May 2009 bring prosperity and abundance to you all.
January: the financial crisis unfolds, and continues throughout the entire year
“That sound of tectonic plates shifting, crushing under their massive weight the head of a little bird that has been running around Wall Street crying, “The sky is falling in!”, is the sound of the American dollar’s once rock-solid value plummeting…” -The San Francisco Gate (The dollar sinks. Economic crisis worsens. Is anyone in charge?)
Images: Japon Economia and 5 bolsas caida vertical courtesy of artemuestra
May: A massive earthquake devastates China
“Monday’s earthquake in southwestern China has extracted a far higher death toll than initially assumed. Chinese authorities say up to 5,000 people have been killed in one county alone in the 7.8-magnitude tremor that was felt as far away as Pakistan and Thailand. ” – Der Spiegel Online (Thousands Feared Dead in Chinese Earthquake)
Image: 450 miles since courtesy of lille abe
June: Ingrid Betancourt is rescued by the Colombian army
“Three American Defense Department contractors and former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt were among 15 hostages rescued after years of captivity by leftist guerrillas, a Colombian official said Wednesday” – NPR (Colombia Rescues Betancourt, US Hostages)
Image: Ingrid Betancourt looking at the Tower courtesy of fabiogis50
July: Apple releases the iPhone 3G
“As Apple’s long awaited iPhone 3G hits U.S retail stores at 8:00 am local time on Friday, analysts have already pegged this release as more important than the original iPhone.” – PC World (Analysts: iPhone 3G Launch More Significant)
Image: the iPhone has landed! courtesy of Erik K Veland
August: The Beijing Olympics arrive
“The Beijing Olympics opened on Aug. 8th with a pyrotechnic display of Chinese organization, technology, and talent in the Bird’s Nest national stadium.” -Business Week(What will the Olympics do for China?)
Image: 888 courtesy of Denis Collette
November: Barack Obama is elected president of the United States
“In an extraordinary moment in America’s history, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has won the 2008 presidential election and will become the 44th president of the United States and the country’s first African-American leader.” – CBS (Barack Obama wins presidency)
Image: Yes we can courtesy of zyrcster
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey! Many thanks for properly crediting and linking my photo when featuring it! Much appreciated!-Erik
DIEGO’s RESPONSE:
My pleasure Erik; the least I can do when using Creative Commons sourced material is to use it appropriately and attribute it “the right way”. Thanks again for your kindness and for releasing your art under such generous conditions.
Aw, thanks so much for the feature! I really appreciate the linkback and attribution. Also, you’ve gathered an outstanding collection of photos here. Well done! – Criz
DIEGO’s RESPONSE:
My pleasure Criz; the least I can do when using Creative Commons sourced material is to use it properly and give attribution. Thanks for your kindness in releasing your work under such a generous license!