I couldn't find any general threads about 2009 so I thought I'd start a new one. It tends to be overlooked or forgotten as it tends to be paired with and mixed up with 2010. Anyhow here are some things that come to mind when I think about 2009:

Michael Jackson's death
H1N1 (Swine Flu)
Movies: Avatar, Star Trek, 2012, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Terminator Salvation, Up, The Hangover, The Hurt Locker, Inglorious Basterds
Music: Black Eyed Peas "I Got a Feeling", Lady Gaga, "Fireflies" by Owl City, "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus, "Right Round" by Flo-Rida
TV: Parks and Recreation, Modern Family

Obama’s inauguration was also a major event that year.

Obama’s inauguration was also a major event that year.


One thing I remember about that inauguration is that the Bible that he put his hand on for the oath was Abraham Lincoln's.

Michael Jackson's death was a big part of 2009.

Michael Jackson's death was a big part of 2009.
,,,and Farrah Fawcett sadly dying several hours before in another Los Angeles hospital about ten miles away.

Michael Jackson's death was a big part of 2009.


I remember getting his greatest hits album on iTunes that year.


,,,and Farrah Fawcett sadly dying several hours before in another Los Angeles hospital about ten miles away.


I felt bad for her family/close loved ones as her death got overshadowed by Michael Jackson's.

I remember getting his greatest hits album on iTunes that year.

A few days after, eBay went crazy on people selling Michael Jackson records etc.

A few days after, eBay went crazy on people selling Michael Jackson records etc.


I also remember Halloween that year when "Thriller" was playing at the party I went to it really felt special.

Also the documentary film about him, "This is It".

A few days after, eBay went crazy on people selling Michael Jackson records etc.


I never really got the phenomenon of people rushing to buy the records of someone who just died. It's so reactionary at best and hypocritical at worst. If they were REAL fans they would already have had all those records. Plain and simple. When John Lennon was killed for example, everybody went nuts buying his records, including his brand new one "Double Fantasy" which people were originally iffy about when he was alive. As soon as he died, it went to number one. But, as a fan, I had already bought it on the day of release. I didn't have to run out and buy his records, i already had them. Too bad all those Johnny-Come-Latelies who bought it after he died didn't buy it BEFORE he died, like I did. Then he would have lived to see it go to number one.

I never really got the phenomenon of people rushing to buy the records of someone who just died. It's so reactionary at best and hypocritical at worst. If they were REAL fans they would already have had all those records. Plain and simple. When John Lennon was killed for example, everybody went nuts buying his records, including his brand new one "Double Fantasy" which people were originally iffy about when he was alive. As soon as he died, it went to number one. But, as a fan, I had already bought it on the day of release. I didn't have to run out and buy his records, i already had them. Too bad all those Johnny-Come-Latelies who bought it after he died didn't buy it BEFORE he died, like I did. Then he would have lived to see it go to number one.


Regarding Michael before his death many people had negative opinions about him, especially a few short years before that when he was on trial.

Regarding Michael before his death many people had negative opinions about him, especially a few short years before that when he was on trial.


That's an example of the 'hypocritical" aspect of what I was talking about. He died and all of a sudden everybody loved him. And bought up his music.

I also remember Halloween that year when "Thriller" was playing at the party I went to it really felt special.

Also the documentary film about him, "This is It".

It was such a day to remember.  :o

Wow, this brought me right back to 2009! Michael Jackson’s death hit me hard too—it was the first time I experienced a famous person’s passing. It really did feel like the whole year revolved around him. His music was everywhere, and the whole world just seemed to pause. Those screamers were legit scarring though (if you know, you know).  ;D

H1N1, lol, we were all freaking out over that—if only we knew what was coming 10 years later. At least “I Gotta Feeling” was there to save the summer. No lie, I had that song on repeat for hours too. The whole album, honestly.  ::)

And Parks and Rec starting back then? It’s wild to think it’s that old now. It’s like a little time capsule of comedy from that era. Crazy that it started so close to The Office ending—time really flies.


I never really got the phenomenon of people rushing to buy the records of someone who just died. It's so reactionary at best and hypocritical at worst. If they were REAL fans they would already have had all those records. Plain and simple. When John Lennon was killed for example, everybody went nuts buying his records, including his brand new one "Double Fantasy" which people were originally iffy about when he was alive. As soon as he died, it went to number one. But, as a fan, I had already bought it on the day of release. I didn't have to run out and buy his records, i already had them. Too bad all those Johnny-Come-Latelies who bought it after he died didn't buy it BEFORE he died, like I did. Then he would have lived to see it go to number one.


So true. It’s wild how the narrative flipped overnight—he went from being a punchline to this untouchable figure of sympathy. The way people sanitize everything after someone passes is kind of telling.

Watchmen was one movie I forgot to list in my OP. Also one of my favorites.

In 2009 Michael Jackson was supposed to make a comeback tour then retire from the music industry in March Of 2009.