2009's Ten Biggest, Most Memorable Events

2009's Ten Biggest, Most Memorable Events

It seems every year of the new millennium has seen some huge events occur; little perhaps of the magnitude of September 11, 2001 or the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, but still, here are the ten biggest, most memorable events of the year MMIX (so far), in reverse order:NUMBER 10July 22 - Longest total solar eclipse of the 21st Century takes placeLasting six minutes and 38 seconds this was the second of three (the first and third were more minor penumbral lunar) eclipses in one month and it was observed by millions over China, Japan, Nepal and India. The next comparably-sized solar eclipse will occur beyond our time in 2132.NUMBER 9January 20 - President Barack Obama is inaugurated 44th President of the USAHeralding a new hope, President Obama comes into office amid depths of uncertainty surrounding the Global Financial Crisis. His slogan, 'Yes, we can,' is apt; he's appears the man of the hour for such a time as this.NUMBER 8March 3 - Gunmen attack a bus carrying Sri Lankan international cricketers; eight people are killedNot a large terrorist event but one that was significant by virtue of the target. International teams are now put on further notice as they travel to the world's trouble spots.NUMBER 7February 7 - The Black Saturday bushfires kill 173 people and leave 7,500 homeless in Victoria, AustraliaA shockingly devastating set of climatic conditions and a combination of electrically and deliberately lit fires spark unprecedented fire emergencies throughout the State. The event transforms the Australian culture toward bushfire from generally lax to vigilant almost overnight such was the depth of human tragedy experienced. The national response to the plight of the victims via charity is an unprecedented success.NUMBER 6May 25 - North Korea announces it has conducted its second successful nuclear weapon testThis was a significant event from the perspective of the future peace and sustainability of the world and major country diplomatic unity. North Korea continues to defy international convention and arrogantly sets itself as one of the key dictator and recalcitrant countries of the 21st Century.NUMBER 5September 29 & 30 - Tsunamis off Samoa and Sumatra kill over 1,000 people and destroy critical infrastructureAfter the Boxing Day tsunamis of 2004 there is heightened awareness of the cost and scope of tsunami events in terms of human tragedy. This was fortunately almost nothing in comparison to the 2004 event in terms of human loss, where over 300,000 are thought to have lost their lives.NUMBER 4June 1 - Air France Flight 447 flying from Brazil plunges into the Atlantic Ocean killing 228Mystery surrounded this event for days after and it still does. Only 51 bodies of the 228 killed have been recovered and the black box flight data recorder has also not been found, precluding the investigation significantly.NUMBER 3April 24 - The World Health Organization is concerned at the initial outbreak of Influenza (later known as Swine Flu [H1N1])This was later deemed a global pandemic on June 11. Although this pandemic

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