2015 Year in Review Slideshow: People in the News

Updated August 5, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

Top events for the nation and the world in 2015

Adele: Adele's 25 Shatters Sales Records; In Nov., according to Nielsen, Adele's third album, 25, sold an unprecedented 3.38 million copies during the first week of its release in the U.S. alone, shattering previous sales records. Before 25, 'NSYNC's 2000 album No Strings Attached held the record, selling 2.4 million during the first week of its release. Since then, no album had even sold two million during its first week. Adele's achievement, becoming the only person in history to hit three million sales in one week, was particularly impressive because it came at a time when album sales were declining every year. Also, it came during the era of streaming platforms. Adele's 3.38 million figure came purely from sales. 25 was not available on any streaming platforms during the first week of its release.; Photo source: Greg Allen/Invision/AP

Donald Trump: The business man and TV personality who became the Republican presidential frontrunner; Donald Trump remained the frontrunner for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination throughout 2015, with his numbers increasing by the end of the year. Always causing controversy, Trump created a stir both nationally and internationally in early Dec. 2015, when he said that there should be a temporary ban on allowing Muslims into the United States.; Photo source: Charles Rex Arbogast for Associated Press

Caitlyn Jenner: The athlete and TV personality became an activist for the trans community in 2015; In a 20/20 interview with Diane Sawyer on April 24, 2015, Olympian and reality television personality Bruce Jenner said that he was a transgender woman. During the interview, Jenner explained that he has dealt with gender dysphoria since he was young and began the physical transition with hormone replacement therapy in the 1980s. In early June 2015, Jenner appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair and tweeted this statement, "I'm so happy after such a long struggle to be living my true self. Welcome to the world Caitlyn. Can't wait for you to get to know her/me." Jenner's transition was be the subject of a documentary series, I Am Cait, which aired in July 2015.; Photo source: Annie Leibovitz / Vanity Fair

Lin-Manuel Miranda: Miranda's Hamilton became the show to see on Broadway.; Everyone was going to see the hit broadway musical Hamilton in 2015, including President Obama. Miranda wrote the musical and stars as the show's lead, Alexander Hamilton. It became the second mega hit musical for Miranda, who also starred in and wrote the Tony award-winning In the Heights.; Photo source: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File

J.J. Abrams: The director's Star Wars: The Force Awakens was the most anticipated movie in years; The creator of beloved TV hits such as Lost and Alias, J.J. Abrams returned the much beloved Star Wars franchise to form, bringing back Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill for the 2015 film. Earlier Dec. reviews were favorable, hinting that the legions of fans would not be disappointed.; Photo source: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File

Hillary Clinton: The former Secretary of State became the Democratic frontrunner for president; In Oct., former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton testified before the House Select Committee investigating the 2012 Benghazi attack that killed four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens. The testimony lasted 11 hours, including breaks, going from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. In her opening statement, Clinton said, "My challenge to you, members of this committee, is the same challenge I put to myself. Let's be worthy of the trust the American people have bestowed upon us. They expect us to lead, to learn the right lessons, to rise above partisanship and to reach for statesmanship." For much of the day, members of the committee from opposing parties took shots at each other. In one key moment, Clinton directly addressed her feelings about the Benghazi attack, "I lost more sleep than all of you put together. I have been racking my brain about what more could have been done." Clinton's testimony and email controversy didn't hurt her campaign. She remained the Deomcratic frontrunner for the 2016 presidential nomination throughout the year.; Photo source: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Mathew Sumner

Angela Merkel: Merkel was TIME's Person of the Year for 2015; Angela Merkel was chosen as person of the year by TIME magazine. In May 2015, Forbes named her the most powerful woman in the world for a record ninth time. Throughout 2015, Merkel stood by her policy to welcome immigrants into Germany, despite increasing criticism by many around her.; Photo source: Amel Emric/AP

Amy Schumer: 2015 was anything but a trainwreck for this actor / comedian.; Amy Schumer's film Trainwreck, which she co-wrote, was the surprise, breakout hit film of 2015. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in the film. Her TV series, Inside Amy Schumer, continues to air on Comedy Central. After a fatal shooting in Louisiana during a showing of Trainwreck in July 2015, Schumer became an advocate for stricter gun control laws.; Photo source: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Taylor Swift: Swift and her album 1989 ruled 2015; With massive record sales and a world tour, Taylor Swift owned 2015. A movie of the tour, which included several of Swift's famous friends joining her on stage, was set to be released in late Dec. 2015.; Photo source: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP