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. More than 40 women have spoken out to various media outlets about allegations of sexual misconduct. Cosb