The carols have been sung; friends and families have gathered; the delicacies of the season have been consumed; the gifts unwrapped, and now the busyness of the holiday turns to reflection. In just a few short days, New York’s Times Square will explode with people; champagne bottles will be uncorked; promises will be made; proposals will be accepted, and a minute before midnight, everyone’s attention will turn to the notorious lighted ball slowly descending to a countdown chorus… three, two, one…HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The end of 2010 is near; 2010 will soon be written in history books. What will historians write about the year 2010? With an interest in journalism, I reviewed some of the headlines that made national and world news. Here are some of the headlines I found:
December
Senate Passes Tax-Cut Compromise
November
In Midterm Elections, Republicans Win House, Democrats Keep Senate
October
First of 33 Trapped Chilean Miners Rescued
September
American Hiker Released on Bail from Iranian Prison
August
Home Sales at Lowest Level in 10 Years
July
Stampede During German Parade Kills 21, Wounds 500
June
U.S. Soccer Team Advances to Round of 16 in World Cup
May
Oil Spill Biggest In History, Estimates Suggest
April
162,000 Jobs Added in March; Unemployment Remains at 9.7%
March
Female Suicide Bombers Kill 39 in Russian Subway Stations
February
President Obama Outlines Health Care Reform
January
7.0 Magnitude Earthquake Devastates Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
I’d venture to guess that one or more of these headlines will be studied by generations to come. But even though the historians will try to justly capture the events, the textbooks will never be able to fully capture the relief and excitement of the rescued Chilean miners, the havoc racked by millions of gallons of oil spilling into ocean, and the devastation, turmoil, and sadness thrust upon the people of Haiti. The history of 2010 will only be ultimately real for those who witnessed and endured the year.
I don’t recall these headlines to show all the bad things that have happened in 2010; I don’t outline these headlines to highlight scars gained in 2010; I do so to remember that these headlines are in the past… and even though some effects are still very visible, the only remaining thing to do is move forward. I don’t know what headlines will be penned for 2011, but I do know, as like all other years, 2010 will be a stepping stone into 2011. The 2010 Rewind gives the forward push to 2011, another year of history in the making.
No comments:
Post a Comment