This document highlights some of the notable people and events of 2008. It recognizes Barack Obama for being elected the first African American president of the United States. It also acknowledges Michael Phelps for winning 14 Olympic gold medals, making him the most decorated Olympian. Additionally, it mentions the movies The Dark Knight and the musician Duffy as being popular that year. On the lows of 2008, it references the global financial crisis, the Sichuan earthquake in China that killed around 69,000 people, and the Mumbai terrorist attacks that killed at least 173.