As 2008 ends, here's a review of the people and events that made stories we remember.
Presidential raceThe top story of 2008 dominates the news. The Internet changes this election, from fundraising and campaigning to videos and political junkies following daily polls.January. Have we forgotten the primaries? It began with the jockeying for dates: Iowa moves up the date of its caucus. Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Mike Huckabee win in Iowa. An emotional Hillary Clinton wins New Hampshire on the Democratic side and John McCain wins the Republican primary.In February, McCain dominates Super Tuesday (24 states involved in primary elections, including California). Clinton wins big states, but Obama begins strategy of winning smaller primaries and caucuses, solidifying his delegate lead over Clinton. By March, McCain secures nomination. Obama delivers pivotal speech on race, denouncing remarks by his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.In March, April and May, Obama sustains lead in razor-close delegate count. Super delegates announce support. Finally in June, Obama secures Democratic nomination. Fight brews over battleground states -- Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Iowa, New Hampshire. The magic number is 270 electoral votes. Obama picks Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate. In August, McCain shocks many by selecting Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.September. President Bush's approval ratings are at an all-time low. Campaigning begins; McCain-Palin rise in polls and briefly lead Obama-Biden. Lipstick on a pig becomes political issue. By mid-September, the economy dominates the campaign; emergency stimulus package is debated in Washington. McCain temporarily suspends campaign, but attends first debate.October. Candidates hold series of debates. Palin struggles in media interviews. Economic crisis takes center stage. Obama's grass roots organizing flips red states (Republican) to blue states (Democrat) -- Virginia, Ohio, Florida, North Carolina and Indiana. Joe the Plumber becomes a political celebrity. In November, Barack Obama wins election in record numbers, 365 electoral votes to McCain's 173. Democrats score major gains in the Senate and House.In November and December, President-elect Obama assembles administration including Hillary Clinton as secretary of state. A fitting ending to a year of politics.DisastersWe live with disasters. We pause, shake our heads, trying to understand the grief and pain. Then we hear of another and another; our memories blur. Tornadoes. In January, caused by record-breaking temperatures, tornadoes strike the Midwest and kill six. February, the South experiences violent tornadoes that kill 55. Floods and hurricanes. In March, dozens die and hundreds are evacuated during major floods that stretch from Texas to Pennsylvania. Hurricane Gustav forces the entire city of New Orleans to evacuate in September. Two weeks later, Hurricane Ike hits Galveston, Texas, and causes at least 50 deaths, thousands evacuate their homes.Only major international disasters make our news. In May, a cyclone in Myanmar kills 78,000 people. In August in China, more than 67,000 people die and hundreds of thousands more are injured when a 7.9 magnitude earthquake strikes western China. California makes the news with more than 2,700 wildfires in June set off by lightening from a massive dry thunderstorm. In August, nine firefighters die when a helicopter crashes and burns in Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Another round of fires burns hills around Los Angeles and Santa Barbara in November.Major news eventsSome we've forgotten, others have legs.February: Writers strike ends. Three-month strike costs entertainment industry more than $2 billion. May: California Supreme Court rules in favor of gay marriage. Proposition 8 in the November election passes, defining marriage as only between "a man and a woman." Legal challenges launched. June: Drought officially declared in California. July: Library of Congress names new Poet Laureate Kay Ryan, who grew up in our Valley near Bakersfield.August: The Summer Games Open in Beijing, China. U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps wins his 14th career Olympic gold medal. September: Commuter train crashes head-on into a freight train in Los Angeles, 25 die.December: Mumbai, India terrorist attack kills hundreds.Sports storiesPatriots undefeated until the Super Bowl, then meet the New York Giants. Lakers versus Celtics in NBA finals. Tiger Woods wins U.S. Open with broken leg. Nadal wins Wimbledon epic match. Olympics in China. Fresno State wins NCAA baseball title. Cubs acting like the Cubs, losing in first round to Dodgers. Wait till next year. Devil Rays in World Series with Fresno's Matt Garza.DeathsGeorge Carlin, comedian. Arthur C. Clark, science fiction writer. Charlton Heston, actor -- played Moses and was NRA leader. Heath Ledger, actor -- in "Dark Knight" and "Brokeback Mountain." Mildred Loving, prevailed in Supreme Court case overcoming laws barring interracial marriages. Paul Newman, actor. Tim Russert, news anchor. Randy Pausch, inspirational professor -- "The Last Lecture."EconomyPeople often only remember the latest economic news, but the economic collapse was spread throughout the year. Sub-prime mortgage debacle continued to plague the nation, beginning two years ago.The year 2008 begins with markets plunging around the world, responding to fears of recession. In February, the economy loses jobs for the first time in 52 months. Senate passes stimulus package -- families to receive $300 to $600. Remember the rebate checks? Helps to pay for gasoline at $3.50 a gallon.In March, Federal Reserve outlines a $200 billion loan program for the biggest banks including JP Morgan. Chase takes over Bear Stearns. June-July. Gas will reach all time highs -- $4.50 to $5 a gallon. In September, Congress bails out mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to help avoid foreclosures.Housing slump continues. Ten worst states are California, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Colorado, Maryland, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan and Massachusetts.In September, an obituary list includes: Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers, AIG, Washington Mutual. Stock market crashes; investors get used to market swings of hundreds of points. Treasury Department crafts a $700 billion bailout plan. In one day, Dow Jones Industrial average drops 778 points, biggest point decline ever.By October, amazingly, gas prices continue to drop. Now $3 sounds like a great deal. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation increases safety net from $100,000 to $250,000 to avoid run on banks. More job losses, economy shrinks for first time in years. In November, 400 or 500 point loss in stock market is routine. Citigroup rescued. Gas under $2. Amazing.December. Millions out of work. Big Three automakers beg for help. Christmas parties cancelled. Not so happy holidays. Let's hope for a better 2009.