2009 Tranniversary: Jonathan
In 2009, Barack Obama launched his presidency before an estimated 1.5 million people on the National Mall with somber yet confident tones, saying the country will overcome its serious economic and international challenges. Later that year, President Obama announced that the U.S., China, India, Brazil, and South Africa had reached an agreement to combat global warming.
2009 was a year of momentum for the LGBT community. For the first time, federal legislation was passed that included sexual orientation and gender identity, over 250,000+ LGBT people and allies marched on Washington for civil rights, same-sex marriage was legalized in several states, and the Obama administration fulfilled some campaign promises while ignoring others. President Barack Obama signed the Matthew Shepard Act, which expanded federal hate-crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, the first US federal law to extend legal protections to transgender persons.
Lady Gaga came out as bisexual in ’09 and American Idol contestant, Adam Lambert, came out.
Chaz Bono also had a coming out this year, when he announced he was starting to transition. Chaz was one of the first transmen to celebrities to publicly transition. A documentary, “Becoming Chaz”, followed him through his transition.
After decades of lagging the world in respect for HIV+ visitors and immigrants, the federal government dropped the ban on HIV+ people into the country. This shameful period of American history will be remembered as one of the darkest chapters of America's war on people with HIV. President Obama promised to end the ban during his campaign and kept his promise within months of his inauguration.
Michael Jackson died of cardiac arrest in Los Angeles, California, at age 50. Jackson's death, which was caused by a lethal combination of sedatives and propofol, was ruled a homicide. In 2011 Conrad Murray, Jackson's personal doctor, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
A US Airways plane with 155 people on board ditches into a chilly Hudson River, apparently after striking at least one bird upon takeoff from New York's LaGuardia Airport, according to officials and passengers. Everyone on board is accounted for and alive, officials say. This crash inspired the 2016 film, “Sully”, starring Tom Hanks.
Air France flight 447 tragically crashed into the Atlantic. It was the deadliest Air France crash; all 228 people died.
For the first time in 341 years, a woman was appointed as poet laureate of the United Kingdom. Carol Ann Duffy, 53, took over the post from poet laureate Andrew Motion.
The New York Yankees won their 27th World Series in their 40th appearance in the finals. Lance Armstrong made his infamous comeback and finished third in the Tour de France behind the winner Spain's Alberto Contador (who also went on to win in 2010, but was later stripped of this win). The Pittsburgh Steelers edged out the Arizona Cardinals and won the NFL Superbowl. In hockey, the Pittsburgh Penguins captain won the Stanley Cup. The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game 5 of the NBA finals in Orlando, Fla.
The biggest box office hits in 2009 were “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”, “Up” and “The Twilight Saga: New Moon”. Kate Winslet won the best actress Oscar for her role in the movie, “The Reader”. Sean Penn won the best actor Academy Award for his portrayal of Harvey Milk in the film, “Milk”. “Slumdog Millionaire” was the best picture winner.
The top songs of 2009 were “Boom Boom Pow” and “I Gotta Feeling”,by the Black Eyed Peas, “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga, and “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga, featuring Colby O’Donis. Taylor’s Swift, “Love Story”, rounded out teh top five.
Alison Krauss and Robert Plant were the biggest grammy award winners. Krauss became the sixth female solo artist to win 5 awards in one night joining Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Norah Jones, Beyonce Knowles and Amy Winehouse. Lil Wayne received the most nominations with eight. Best new artist and pop vocal performance was Adele. John Mayer won best pop vocal performance.