2015 In Review Fast Facts

CNN Library

Updated 1858 GMT (0258 HKT) October 9, 2019

<strong>January 1:</strong> New Year's fireworks explode over Big Ben in London.
Photos: 2015: The year in pictures
January 1: New Year's fireworks explode over Big Ben in London.
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<strong>January 4: </strong>Law enforcement officers stand outside <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/04/us/gallery/liu-funeral/index.html" target="_blank">the funeral of fallen New York police officer Wenjian Liu.</a> Some officers turned their backs while New York Mayor Bill de Blasio spoke on a monitor. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/22/politics/de-blasio-police-shooting/index.html" target="_blank">The mayor's critics</a> believed his comments after the death of Eric Garner contributed to an anti-police sentiment that led to the shootings of Liu and his partner, Rafael Ramos.
Photos: 2015: The year in pictures
January 4: Law enforcement officers stand outside the funeral of fallen New York police officer Wenjian Liu. Some officers turned their backs while New York Mayor Bill de Blasio spoke on a monitor. The mayor's critics believed his comments after the death of Eric Garner contributed to an anti-police sentiment that led to the shootings of Liu and his partner, Rafael Ramos.
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<strong>January 6:</strong> NASA releases a stunning new image of the so-called <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/06/tech/nasa-pillars-creation/index.html" target="_blank">Pillars of Creation,</a> one of the space agency's most iconic discoveries. The giant columns of cold gas, in a small region of the Eagle Nebula, were popularized by a similar image taken by the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/19/photos/cnnphotos-hubble-space-telescope-25th-anniversary/" target="_blank">Hubble Space Telescope</a> in 1995. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/10/tech/gallery/wonders-of-the-universe/index.html" target="_blank">See other wonders of the universe</a>
Photos: 2015: The year in pictures
January 6: NASA releases a stunning new image of the so-called Pillars of Creation, one of the space agency's most iconic discoveries. The giant columns of cold gas, in a small region of the Eagle Nebula, were popularized by a similar image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1995. See other wonders of the universe
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<strong>January 7:</strong> A masked gunman runs toward a victim during <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/07/world/gallery/paris-charlie-hebdo-shooting/index.html" target="_blank">a terrorist attack at the Paris office of Charlie Hebdo,</a> a French satirical magazine. From January 7 to January 9, a total of <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/10/world/france-paris-who-were-terror-victims/" target="_blank">17 people were killed</a> in attacks on Charlie Hebdo, a kosher grocery store, and the Paris suburb of Montrouge. Three suspects were killed by police in separate standoffs. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Photos: 2015: The year in pictures
January 7: A masked gunman runs toward a victim during a terrorist attack at the Paris office of Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical magazine. From January 7 to January 9, a total of 17 people were killed in attacks on Charlie Hebdo, a kosher grocery store, and the Paris suburb of Montrouge. Three suspects were killed by police in separate standoffs. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula claimed responsibility for the attacks.
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<strong>January 8:</strong> U.S. President Barack Obama reaches out to shake hands with someone after he had just spoken in Phoenix about the housing market and the economy.
Photos: 2015: The year in pictures
January 8: U.S. President Barack Obama reaches out to shake hands with someone after he had just spoken in Phoenix about the housing market and the economy.
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<strong>January 11:</strong> The eyes of Charlie Hebdo editor Stephane Charbonnier appear at <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/11/world/gallery/paris-unity-rally/index.html" target="_blank">an anti-terrorism rally in Paris.</a> More than a million people took part in the demonstration, a gesture of unity just days after Charbonnier and 16 others were slaughtered.
Photos: 2015: The year in pictures
January 11: The eyes of Charlie Hebdo editor Stephane Charbonnier appear at an anti-terrorism rally in Paris. More than a million people took part in the demonstration, a gesture of unity just days after Charbonnier and 16 others were slaughtered.
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<strong>January 13: </strong>U.S. Sen. John McCain fools around with colleagues upon arriving at a news conference in Washington.
Photos: 2015: The year in pictures
January 13: U.S. Sen. John McCain fools around with colleagues upon arriving at a news conference in Washington.
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<strong>January 17: </strong>Comedian Bill Cosby performs at the Buell Theatre in Denver. For more than 50 years, Cosby <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/19/showbiz/gallery/bill-cosby-evolution-of-an-icon/index.html" target="_blank">has been one of America's leading entertainers:</a> a noted comedian, an Emmy-winning actor and an innovative producer. But over the past year his reputation has been tarnished by <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/20/showbiz/bill-cosby-allegations-repercussions/index.html" target="_blank">allegations of rape.</a> More than 40 women have spoken out to various media outlets about allegations of sexual misconduct. Cosby has <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2014/11/15/media/bill-cosby-rape-allegations/" target="_blank">vehemently denied most of the accusations</a> that he drugged and sexually assaulted young women seeking career guidance, but the stories <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2014/11/20/media/cosby-comedy-tour/" target="_blank">have taken their toll</a> on his reputation and bankroll.
Photos: 2015: The year in pictures
January 17: Comedian Bill Cosby performs at the Buell Theatre in Denver. For more than 50 years, Cosby has been one of America's leading entertainers: a noted comedian, an Emmy-winning actor and an innovative producer. But over the past year his reputation has been tarnished by allegations of rape.