2008

What Was Happening in 2008

The global financial system collapses, banks are bailed out, and Barack Obama makes history as America's first Black president.

Born in

Number 1 Songs in 2008 — UK and US Charts

UK #1

"Hallelujah"

Alexandra Burke

The X Factor winner's cover of Leonard Cohen's classic became the fastest-selling single by a female artist in UK chart history, selling over 105,000 copies on its first day and becoming the Christmas number one.

US #1

"Low"

Flo Rida ft. T-Pain

The hip-hop club anthem spent 10 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 early in the year, with its 'apple bottom jeans, boots with the fur' hook becoming one of the most recognisable lines of the decade.

Biggest Films of 2008 — Box Office Hits

The Dark Knight

Box Office: $1.005 billion worldwide

Christopher Nolan's Batman sequel transcended the superhero genre to become a cultural event, driven by Heath Ledger's legendary posthumous performance as the Joker. Ledger would win a posthumous Oscar, and the film proved comic book movies could be prestige cinema.

More About 2008

What Was Happening — A journey through the years