World Events in 2009
Inauguration of Barack Obama
On 20 January, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President before an estimated 1.8 million people on the National Mall — the largest inaugural crowd in history. His presidency began amid the worst economic crisis in 70 years.
Death of Michael Jackson
The 'King of Pop' died on 25 June from cardiac arrest caused by an overdose of propofol, administered by his personal physician. He was 50. The news broke the internet — Twitter and Wikipedia crashed — and his memorial at the Staples Center was watched by billions.
H1N1 Swine Flu Pandemic
A novel strain of H1N1 influenza emerged in Mexico in April and rapidly spread worldwide. The WHO declared a pandemic in June. While less deadly than initially feared, the virus killed an estimated 150,000-575,000 people globally in its first year.
UK MPs' Expenses Scandal
In May, The Daily Telegraph published leaked details of British MPs' expense claims, revealing widespread abuse including claims for moat cleaning, duck houses, and flipped second homes. Public fury led to resignations, sackings, and criminal prosecutions.
Miracle on the Hudson
On 15 January, Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger safely ditched US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River after both engines were disabled by a bird strike. All 155 passengers and crew survived, and Sullenberger was hailed as a national hero.
Iranian Election Protests
After the disputed re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June, hundreds of thousands of Iranians took to the streets in what became known as the Green Movement. The regime's violent crackdown, including the on-camera killing of Neda Agha-Soltan, drew worldwide condemnation.
Music in 2009
"Killing in the Name"
Rage Against the Machine
In a famous Facebook campaign to stop the X Factor winner claiming the Christmas number one, thousands bought the 1992 protest anthem, propelling it to the top spot and making it a populist victory against manufactured pop.
"Boom Boom Pow"
The Black Eyed Peas
The electro-pop banger spent 12 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, before being replaced by the group's own 'I Gotta Feeling' — together they held the top spot for an astonishing 26 consecutive weeks.
#1 Film of 2009
Avatar
Box Office: $2.79 billion worldwide
James Cameron's sci-fi epic became the highest-grossing film of all time, pioneering photorealistic 3D filmmaking that made audiences feel they had stepped into the alien world of Pandora. It held the record for over a decade.
Born in 2009
Gen Alpha cohort
The 2009 birth year's notable public figures are still largely emerging
Harper Beckham
Daughter of David and Victoria Beckham, born July 2011 — most 2009 births not yet publicly notable
Future sporting talents
Youth athletes born in 2009 are beginning to enter professional academy systems across football, tennis, and other sports
Emerging social media generation
The first generation to grow up entirely in the smartphone era, with many expected to become notable in the late 2020s
Lost in 2009
Michael Jackson
The 'King of Pop' — the best-selling solo artist of all time, known for Thriller, Bad, and his pioneering music videos
Age 50
Farrah Fawcett
American actress and 1970s icon from Charlie's Angels, whose red swimsuit poster became the best-selling of all time
Age 62
Patrick Swayze
American actor who starred in Dirty Dancing and Ghost
Age 57
Jade Goody
British reality TV star from Big Brother whose very public battle with cervical cancer raised awareness and screening rates
Age 27
Ted Kennedy
US Senator from Massachusetts and patriarch of the Kennedy political dynasty, served 47 years in the Senate
Age 77
Technology in 2009
WhatsApp was founded, though it would take a few years to dominate messaging. The iPhone 3GS made smartphones mainstream for non-techies. Windows 7 launched to praise after Vista's disaster. Minecraft began development. Bitcoin's genesis block was mined in January, though almost nobody noticed.
- ● Bitcoin genesis block mined on 3 January by Satoshi Nakamoto
- ● WhatsApp founded by former Yahoo employees
- ● Windows 7 released to widespread praise
- ● Minecraft development began, launching in alpha
Cost of Living in 2009
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £160,000 | $172,000 |
| Average salary | £24,500 | $46,000 |
| Pint of milk | £0.34 | $0.43 |
| Loaf of bread | £0.82 | $1.38 |
| Dozen eggs | £1.72 | $1.84 |
| Pint of beer | £2.60 | $3.55 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | £4.20 | $2.35 |
| Cinema ticket | £5.90 | $7.50 |
Shop 2009 memorabilia on eBay/Amazon
The Zeitgeist of 2009
Austerity was the new reality — unemployment soared, belt-tightening became the norm, and trust in banks and politicians hit rock bottom. Michael Jackson's sudden death in June united the world in mourning and nostalgia. Susan Boyle's Britain's Got Talent audition became the first truly viral moment of the YouTube age. Obama's inauguration in January offered hope. Skinny jeans and plaid shirts signalled the rise of hipster culture.
In the News in 2009
Captain 'Sully' Sullenberger landed a plane on the Hudson River, saving all 155 passengers. The H1N1 swine flu pandemic was declared. MPs' expenses scandal rocked UK politics. Iran's disputed election sparked mass protests. Bernie Madoff was sentenced to 150 years for his $65 billion Ponzi scheme.