INSIDE EDITION looks at the stories that made headlines in 2012.
The northeast is still recovering from the massively destructive Hurricane Sandy.
There was devastation as far as the eye could see, and looking back, we remember the heartbreaking scenes in Breezy Point, Queens of complete devastation.
And the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, made famous on Jersey Shore was wiped out.
And how can you forget a ball of white flame erupting from a power plant, plummeting the famous Manhattan skyline into darkness.
Just a week after Hurricane Sandy, came the election that had all of America glued to their TV's. President Obama was re-elected to four more years in the White House.
Then, just weeks after the election, scandal rocked Washington. CIA Director General Petraeus resigned after his affair with his biographer Paula Broadwell was uncovered.
And all of America mourned after a tragic night at the movies. Last summer James Holmes was charged with opening fire during a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises, killing 12 and injuring 58.
And the shooting of teen Trayvon Martin also became one of the most controversial stories of the year. Martin, unarmed and wearing a hoodie was shot by George Zimmerman in a Florida neighborhood. Zimmerman says he acted in self defense but the shooting divided the nation.
But there were also moments of celebration. All of America rejoiced for our Olympic heroes. The Fab Five gymnastics team became overnight sensations after bringing home the gold at the Summer Olympics in London.
And who can forget Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte and his wet and wild night in Vegas with Prince Harry.
Lochte told INSIDE EDITION, "They were like, 'Do you want to meet Prince Harry?' and I said, 'By all means, of course!' "
Speaking of the Royals, there was Kate's big baby news. While in the hospital Kate's nurse was duped by two DJ's into revealing private information. The nurse who put the call through ended up committing suicide. A shocking tragedy that dampened the joy over the royal heir, whose birth is sure to be one of the biggest stories of 2013.
