12 biggest controversies of 2009

A month-by-month review of the clashes, scandals, debates, and disputes that drove opinion in 2009

From President Barack Obama's historic inauguration to Tiger Woods' surreal fall from grace, 2009 has proved to be a tumultuous time in American history. As the year comes to a close, we take a look back at the political controversies, celebrity scandals, and public outrages that most defined the end of this decade.

January

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