What will you remember about 2017? It was an action-packed 12 months. The year had its highs and lows. Big and small events led to moments of sadness and joy.
Now 2018 is under way. But let’s pause to look back at 2017. Here are a few of its memorable and historic moments.
CHIP SOMODEVILLA—GETTY IMAGESJanuary 20
DONALD TRUMP becomes the 45th president of the United States. He is sworn into office in Washington, D.C. Trump pledges to “preserve, protect, and defend” the U.S. Constitution. His wife, Melania, stands by his side.
Mario Tama – Getty ImagesJanuary 21
About 500,000 people join the WOMEN'S MARCH ON WASHINGTON. Speakers and demonstrators join together. They object to the election of Donald Trump. Similar marches take place all around the world.
DISNEYFebruary 26
Disney’s ZOOTOPIA wins an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film. The movie tells the tale of animals from all walks of life. They live together in harmony.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/GETTY IMAGESMarch 13
Winter storm STELLA hits the United States. It dumps nearly five feet of snow in some places. Many cities are shut down.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/GETTY IMAGESApril 10
NEIL GORSUCH is sworn in as 113th Supreme Court justice. His confirmation hearings were difficult. At age 49, Gorsuch is the top court’s youngest justice.
STRINGER—SPUTNIK/APApril 24
Astronaut PEGGY WHITSON breaks a big record. She has spent more days in space than any other astronaut. In total, she has spent 665 days in space. The previous record was 534 days. At 57, she is the oldest woman astronaut.
CHERISS MAY—NURPHOTO/GETTY IMAGESMay 9
President Trump fires JAMES COMEY. Comey is the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Trump’s decision to fire Comey surprises people. It sparks political controversy.
ROBYN BECK—NASAJuly 10
NASA’s JUNO SPACECRAFT comes closer than ever to Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. It sends data and photographs back to Earth. They help us learn more about the giant planet.
DANE RICHARDSON—ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGESAugust 21
A total SOLAR ECLIPSE crosses the U.S. The moon blocks the sun and casts a shadow on Earth. It is a historic event. Millions of people watch. It is the first total solar eclipse to cross the country from coast to coast since 1979.
SCOTT OLSON/GETTY IMAGESAugust 25
HURRICANE HARVEY makes landfall. It strikes near Corpus Christi, Texas. It is a Category 4 storm. Record-breaking rains fall over Houston, Texas. The rain lasts for five days. The city floods. Many people must leave their homes.
MICHAEL ZAGARIS—SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS /GETTY IMAGESOctober 1
The national anthem plays before a football game. Some players stand. Others kneel, to raise awareness of racism and injustice. NFL PROTESTS like this began in 2016.
BOB LEVEY—GETTY IMAGESNovember 1
The Houston Astros win baseball’s WORLD SERIES. They beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7. It is a very close game. This is the first World Series win for the Astros. The team celebrates by taking part in a parade (above) on November 3.