As we approach another new year, we leave behind times that have been
filled with tragedy for many, triumph for some, happiness for others, and sorrow for more than a few.   Below are a few reminders of what 2011 brought with it.  They are not always in correct alphabetical order, as some events spanned several months.

Cars sit abandoned in Chicago following the "Snowapocalypse" of Winter, 2011.

A man breaks down in tears as he sits among the ruins of the F5 tornado that hit Joplin, MO, killing over a hundred souls.  Devastating tornadoes also took lives in Alabama as well.

A monstrous tsunami hit Japan following an earthqauake off its coast,
killing thousands and putting the country in severe danger from another
nuclear disaster after a power plant powered by nuclear energy failed
from the force of the earthquake and the tsunami.

Prince William marries for love, wedding his longtime sweetheart Catherine Middleton, in a lavish state wedding in London.

Christians protect Muslims in Cairo during the demonstrations as they
pray.  The demonstrations led to the fall of the Egyptian government.

A leopard attacks a keeper at a wildlife refuge.  The man survived.

Vice-President Biden, President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton and other military and security officials watch in the war room as an elite Navy seal team launches a surprise attack on Bin Laden's lair in Pakistan and kills him.

A Libyan rebel lifts his weapon in triumph as a rocket launches against Gaddafi's aerial assault.

A father touches the name of the son he lost on 09/11 as the
memorial to the bombing of the twin towers  opens on its 10th
anniversary.

Police pepper spray protesters who were part of the "Occupy" movements that were constantly subjected to police brutality.

A huge cloud of dust descends on Phoenix, AZ, reminiscent of the horror days of the '30's.

Flowers and memorials left by fans outside Amy Winehouse' home in London after she was found dead in her home.  Winehouse' autopsy revealed she died of alchohol poisoning.

A young boy kneels, studying a picture of Steve Jobs, beside a memorial at an Apple store in Hong Kong.  Jobs, the founder of Apple,  lost his battle in 2011 with pancreatic cancer at the age of 58.

A rebel holds the golden gun of Muamar Gaddafi after he was found hiding in a culvert near his hometown and was killed.