News of the Nation, 2009

Major U.S. news stories from the recession to same-sex marriage

by Holly B. Miller

Iraqi troops and Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division search for weapons caches on a farm near Hawijah, Iraq.

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Notable "firsts" made headlines in 2009, including President Obama as the nation's first black president and Sonia Sotomayor as the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice. The year was otherwise dominated by tales of the struggling economy, the recession, and the number of unemployed. Here's a look at the top stories in the U.S. in 2009.

President Obama's First Year

The highs and lows of President Obama's first year in office

Same-Sex Marriage on Ballots, Minds of Americans

Same-sex marriage still a controversial and ever-present issue in 2009

Violence and Tragedy at a U.S. Army Post

Army psychiatrist on shooting rampage kills 13

Supreme Court Milestone: First Hispanic Justice

Sonia Sotomayor becomes the first Hispanic Justice to serve on U.S. Supreme Court

Health-Care Reform Tops Agenda

President Obama's “public option” for healtcare reform proves controversial

An Economy in Turmoil Shows Improvement by Year's End

The U.S. economy hit rock bottom before showing signs of recovering from the recession