2013: A Year in Review

Another year is over. I know, it seems like it just started, right? But here we are, ready to look back at the stories that made 2013. Here are my top 10 news stories, once again compiled by the monkeys in my head.

Let’s begin!


10. Ariel Castro
This past spring, the country was gripped by drama unfolding in Ohio. A woman made a 911 call, saying she was a woman missing for years and that she had been held as a prisoner in a innocent looking house. Two other woman—also missing for years—were then rescued from the house. The women told the police they had been kept as sex slaves, being raped many times over the years. One even had a child with their captor, though another would later say that she had been pregnant several times and forced to endure abortions each time. And the man responsible was identified as Ariel Castro. He was arrested and, after pleading guilty, he was sentenced to 1000 years in prison. At his sentencing, he claimed an addiction to sex motivated him but insisted everything was consensual between him and his captives. A month into his sentence, Castro was found hanging in his cell. His death has been ruled a suicide. After the trial and the demolition of Castro’s house of horrors, his victims slipped away from the public eye in order to rebuild their lives.

9. “The Bible”
What was this year’s big TV event? A miniseries about a religious text! Uber producer Mark Burnett teamed up with his wife, actress Roma Downey, to produce the miniseries. And people watched it in large numbers. Did it cover the entire Bible? No, that would be impossible. And while I would love to know the decision process regarding what was kept and what was cut, the special was still very good. It also had some people questioning whether it was okay to be sexually attracted to Jesus. Personally, I already had that after watching the 1973 movie version of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Ted Neeley, everyone:

8. Zimmerman Trial
The country was stunned when George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin back in 2012. He claimed self-defense, using Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. Investigations, though, suggested that Trayvon was not a threat to Zimmerman and was just walking through the neighborhood. It brought the topic of racial relations back to the forefront of national discussions. This year, Zimmerman went on trial. The national debate continued: Guilty or not guilty? In the end, the verdict was revealed: Not guilty. Debates and protests raged across the country. Zimmerman tried to fade back into anonymity but he has faced several other legal issues since his trial concluded.

7. Government Shutdown
This past October, Americans everywhere agreed with one thing: Our government was run by a bunch of morons. Who exactly the morons were depended on your party affiliation—Republicans blamed Democrats and vice versa. And it all boiled down to the Affordable Care Act (AKA Obamacare). The US government did not have a working budget and so the government shut down. Federal employees were unable to work. National parks were closed. And on Capitol Hill, elected officials continued to bicker. Fifteen days after the shutdown began, a deal was struck and the government reopened. But it left a bad taste in the country’s mouth which lasted far longer.

6. Typhoon Haiyan
Also called Yolanda, this typhoon startled meteorologists with its strength. Reaching winds of 195 mph, it was one of the strongest in history. And it slammed into the Philippines, devastating the southern islands. Entire villages were destroyed. People lost their homes, their livelihoods, and relatives. The death toll last stands at over 6,000. For the Filipinos, the effects of Haiyan will be felt into the New Year.

5. Navy Yard
Americans were stunned when a man opened fire in the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. The man, Aaron Alexis, had been a civilian contractor and had managed to get on property with a valid ID. He shot his way through the building, ultimately killing twelve people. DC police swarmed the Yard and engaged Alexis, resulting in a shootout. Alexis was shot and killed by police. Security was reviewed and once again, the gun debate raged across the nation.

4. Cory Monteith
Glee fans were stunned this past July when Cory Monteith, who played Finn Hudson on the show, was found dead. I know I gasped when I read the news on Playbill.com. Cast members seemed to be in shock and Lea Michele went into hiding in order to grieve in private. Fans wondered how the show would handle Finn and what would happen to Glee in the future. The show did kill Finn off, had a memorial episode which was one of the highest-rated episodes ever, and continued on. Does something feel missing? Yes. But the show will chug on to the end and Monteith’s work will stand as a testament to his talent.

3. Boston Marathon bombing
Every April, Boston hosts a marathon. Thousands of runners participate, most raising money for charity. Thousands more come to watch. And as most of the runner approached the finish line, an explosion rocked the race. Shortly after that, another bomb went off further down the course. When the smoke cleared, three people were dead and scores were injured. Thankfully, Boston has some of the best hospitals in the country and the death toll did not rise. A manhunt began for those responsible. Boston and some surrounding suburbs were shutdown the following Thursday night into Friday as the suspects were spotted. By Friday night, one was dead and the other was in the hospital.

BOSTON STRONG dominated the spring. Neil Diamond flew to Boston to perform “Sweet Caroline” at a Red Sox game. And the importance of social media in spreading the news of the manhunt highlighted how news is evolving.

2. Royal Birth
Last December, Will and Kate announced they were pregnant. And the world went nuts. We waited with bated breath as Kate’s due date grew closer…and closer…and closer. Reporters and photographers camped outside the hospital where Diana gave birth to William years ago. Kate went into labor and the world held its breath. At last news: A prince was born! A few days later, we learned his name: George Alexander Louis. Pictures were released and we grew obsessed. Including myself. So that was three years in a row the royal couple made my list! Maybe Will and Kate will take 2014 off. Or maybe next year will be Harry’s year.

1. Pope Benedict and Pope Francis
In February, Pope Benedict announced he was resigning as the head of the Catholic Church. People were confused and unsure what happened next as the last pope to resign did so 600 years ago. But things went smoothly and the world waited to see who would next be the Bishop of Rome. The College of Cardinals met and voted to elevate Argentinian cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio. He chose the name Francis and the Church rejoiced.

Pope Francis has been a breath of fresh air. After he was named Pope, he insisted on returning to the hotel where he stayed for the conclave in order to pay his bill. He greeted the people, no doubt to the dismay of his security detail, and even called the man who owned the stand where he bought his paper every morning to thank him and tell him he wasn’t coming back anymore. He eschewed the lavish lifestyle of the Vatican, choosing to live simply and calling for the Church to do the same. And people are fascinated by him. Who knows what he’ll do in 2014? I have a feeling it will be great.

And that was 2013 according to the monkeys in my brain. As we await the start of 2014, let us stop to remember some of those we lost this year:

Patti Page, Singer
Pauline Phillips, Dear Abby
Ed Koch, NYC mayor
Mindy McCready, singer
Bonnie Franklin, actress
Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela
Richard Griffiths, actor/Uncle Vernon
Roger Ebert, critic
Margaret Thatcher, Iron Lady/Prime Minister
Jonathan Winters, actor
Joyce Brothers, psychologist and columnist
Annette Funicello, Mousekeeter/Actress
Jean Stapleton, Actress/Dingbat
Jeanne Cooper, actress
James Gandolfini, Actor/Tony Soprano
Cory Monteith, Actor/Singer/Finn Hudson
Helen Thomas, Journalist
Dennis Farina, Actor
Eileen Brennan, Actress
Michael Ansara, Actor
Lisa Robin Kelly, Actress
Lee Thompson Young, Actor/The Famous Jett Jackson
David Frost, journalist
Ray Dolby, engineer
Tom Clancy, author
Diane Disney Miller, Walt's daughter
Paul Walker, actor
Nelson Mandela, activist/President of South Africa
Peter O'Toole, actor
Joan Fontaine, actress

See you in 2014!