Big events happen every year, but 2012 was packed with action. In the summer, the world's top athletes came together to compete in the Summer Olympics. Hurricane Sandy hit the U.S. in October. In November, U.S. voters went to the polls. They sent President Barack Obama back to the White House for a second term.
Join TFK for a look back at last year's most memorable moments.
JANUARY 13
A ship called the Costa Concordia hit rocks near the coast of Italy. This tore a huge hole in the ship. Thousands of people on board had to be rescued.
FEBRUARY 5
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning was named MVP in the Super Bowl, which was played in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Giants beat the New England Patriots 21--17.
MARCH 2
Thunderstorms and tornadoes swept through Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. The storms damaged many towns. One was Marysville, Indiana, shown here.
APRIL 30
One World Trade Center rose to 1,271 feet. It is now the tallest building in New York City. It beat the observation deck of the Empire State Building. The building will reach its full height of 1,776 feet in 2013.
MAY 22
SpaceX is a U.S. company. It sent an unmanned supply ship called the Dragon to the International Space Station (ISS). It was the first time a private company made a delivery to the ISS. Before then, governments had made all deliveries.
JUNE 5
Sky watchers got a special view of Venus moving across the sun. During the event, a little black dot appeared in front of the sun. That was Venus! The last time this happened was in 2004. It won't happen again for 104 years.
JULY 31
U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps won his 19th Olympic medal at the Summer Games, in London, England. Phelps stopped swimming competitively after the Games. He ended his career with a total of 22 Olympic medals. That is more than any athlete before.
AUGUST 29
Vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney waved to the crowd at the Republican National Convention, in Tampa, Florida. The next night, Romney was nominated for President.
SEPTEMBER 19
Students went back to class after teachers ended a school strike in Chicago, Illinois. It was the first teachers' strike in Chicago in 25 years.
OCTOBER 29
Hurricane Sandy brought winds, rain and flooding to the East Coast, including New York City, shown here. The storm left millions of people in need of help.
NOVEMBER 6
Voters reelected President Barack Obama. He beat Republican Mitt Romney in a tough race. Here, Obama celebrates with Vice President Joe Biden.
DECEMBER 2
Runners wearing Santa Claus costumes took part in the Santa Dash in Liverpool, England. More than 8,000 people competed in the yearly race. Ho ho ho!