January 16, 2009 - Volume 37 Issue 7
A look back at 2008
Page by Bailey Myers, sr., Editor-in-Chief & Alexis Hosack, jr., Feature Editor
Heath Ledger dies
Twenty-eight year-old rising actor Heath Ledger is found dead in his New York apartment on Jan. 22, 2008, apparently from an overdose of six prescription drugs. He starred in movies such as “Brokeback Mountain” and “The Patriot”. He riveted moviegoers months later with his final performance as the Joker in “The Dark Knight.”
Mariah bests Elvis
Mariah Carey surpasses Elvis Presley as the solo artist with the most No. 1 singles when her single “Touch My Body” becomes her 18th No. 1 song. She has yet to catch up with the Beatles, who have 20 No. 1 singles.
AC/DC album success
AC/DC’s album “Black Ice” tops the 1 million sales mark in just two weeks after its release. Upon its debut, “Black Ice” tops the U.S. pop charts with 784,000 copies sold. This is the first time in nearly 30 years that AC/DC has held such heights.
Hudson’s family loss
Britney’s unexpected comeback
Former teen pop-star Britney Spears shocks everyone again. While it appeared that her life would continue to go down the drain after the hospitalizations and child custody battles, Spears, however, has managed to make a (so far) successful comeback. Her new single “Womanizer” is her first Billboard singles chart-topper in five years.
Information compiled from latimes.com.
Click on images for larger view.
What was your favorite technology gadget in ‘08?
 |
 |
|
Shelley Herder, sr. |
Garron Gean, jr. |
|
“My Ipodtouch is my favorite technology because it has the Internet, music, and pictures. It entertains me for hours!” |
“My phone, so I can stay connected with my friends.” |
|
 |
 |
|
Chelsie Angleton, so. |
Miranda Myer, fr. |
|
“My phone, because I use it all the time.” |
“My phone because you can text, take pics, and listen to music.” |
Sports
Information compiled by Bret Hauser, sr., Reporter
February 3, 2008
The New York Giants beat the New England Patriots 17-14 for the Superbowl championship.
April 6, 2008
South African Trevor Immelman wins the Masters tournament, which is held annually in Augusta, GA.
April 7, 2008
KU comes back in overtime to beat the Memphis Tigers for their second NCAA championship.
June 4, 2008
The Detroit Red Wings defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins to take home the Stanley Cup.
June 17, 2008
The Boston Celtics cap off one of their best seasons ever by beating the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.
June 21, 2008
Tiger Woods wins his fourth U.S. Open over Rocco Mediate in a 91 hole golf tournament.
July-August, 2008
At the summer Olympics in Beijing, Michael Phelps wins eight gold medals in swimming events.
October 22-27, 2008
The Philadelphia Phillies win the World Series over the Tampa Bay Rays.
January 8, 2009
In the BCS college football championship game, the Florida Gators defeat the Oklahoma Sooners 24-14.
News
Information compiled by Alexis Hosack, jr., Feature Editor
Obama makes history, becomes first African-American President
History was made on Election Day of 2008. Barack Obama, former senator of Illinois, defeated Sen. John McCain in the race for President of the United States.
Obama, who was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, entered Harvard Law School in 1988.
After graduating in 1991, he returned to Chicago to practice as a civil rights lawyer. He was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1996.
Failing economy troubles nation
A tumultuous economy kept America on its toes throughout 2008. Between the diminishing value of the American dollar and a plummeting stock market, 2008 has been one of the most troubling years the economy has seen since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
In September 2008, the government aided the American International Group by the means of an $85 billion bailout, paid for with taxpayers’ money. An even bigger shock came weeks later when the “Big Three” auto maker CEOs of GM, Ford, and Chrysler flew private jets to Washington D.C. to beg for taxpayer money. The Big Three’s appeal for $14 billion was approved by the House of Representatives but has not as of yet managed to get through the Senate.
Gas prices reach new heights
Throughout most of 2008, the price of gas was high among the American list of complaints. Crude oil sky-rocketed and hit an all-time high of $4.11 per gallon ($147 a barrel) in June. However, relief came in September when the price dropped to below $100 a barrel for the first time in six months. By December, some areas of the country saw gas as low as $1.43. At the end of the month and the year, crude oil prices plummeted below $37 a barrel.
Back
To Cubtracks