2009

What Was Happening in 2009

The world reels from recession, swine flu sweeps the globe, and Michael Jackson's death shocks a generation.

Born in

Number 1 Songs in 2009 — UK and US Charts

UK #1

"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.

US #1

"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.

Biggest Films of 2009 — Box Office Hits

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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.

Architecture and Buildings of 2009

Buildings completed and structures opened in 2009

More About 2009

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