23 Things That Happened In January 2009 That’ll Make You Say “OMG, Can’t Believe All That Happened 10 Years Ago”

It was a decade ago that Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga both became the biggest artists in the world and the U.S. got a brand-new president!

Posted on January 02, 2019, 16:16 GMT

1. Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"...

2. ...and Lady Gaga's "Just Dance" were the No. 1 songs in the country...and also the No. 1 songs that got everyone running to the dance floor.

3. Lady Gaga also rocked her iconic bow hair.

4. The Kings of Leon dominated alternative radio with their smash hit, "Sex on Fire."

5. Taylor Swift had the No. 1 album in the country...

6. ...and she also performed on SNL for the first time (in case you forgot, Neil Patrick Harris hosted).

7. Chris Pratt and Anna Faris announced they were engaged.

8. Fergie and Josh Duhamel got married.

9. Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy broke up after dating for five years.

10. Joaquin Phoenix said he was quitting acting to pursue a rap career.

11. Kelly Rowland announced she would no longer be rep'd by her long-time manager, Mathew Knowles (aka Beyoncé's dad).

12. Faye Dunaway and Hilary Duff started their feud after Faye reportedly said, "Couldn’t they at least cast a real actress?" upon hearing Hilary would play "Bonnie" in a Bonnie & Clyde remake (a role that Faye immortalized).

13. Jessica Simpson got the internet in a tizzy after wearing these infamous jeans:

14. Speaking, of the internet, January 2009 was also when "David After Dentist" was uploaded onto YouTube.

youtube.com

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15. The Oscar nominations were announced and, as expected, Heath Ledger received a posthumous nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight.

16. Katy Perry said she was taking a vow of celibacy, but took it back the next day.

17. The 66th Golden Globes award show aired, and some of the big winners were Slumdog Millionaire for Best Motion-Picture Drama...

18. ...Mad Men for Best Television Series – Drama...

19. ...and 30 Rock for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy (Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin also won Best Performances Globes in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy for their performances on the show).

20. Kara DioGuardi made her debut as a judge on the eighth season of American Idol.

21. Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Taken were among the movies released into theaters that month.

22. The Miracle on the Hudson happened.

23. And finally, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America.