Here are some notable events that took place in 2008:

• Barack Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the office.
• The global financial crisis, known as the Great Recession, began with the collapse of the US housing market and spread to other countries, leading to widespread economic hardship.
• Beijing hosted the Summer Olympics, with China showcasing its growing economic and political influence on the world stage.
• The global death toll from the HIV/AIDS pandemic surpassed 25 million.
• Terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India killed over 170 people and injured more than 300.