As we reflect on the year that was, here are the 12 most memorable images of 2012:
1. The Obamas’ victory hug:
2. Former Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) workout photoshoot for TIME:
3. Hurricane Sandy tears through New Jersey:
4. The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School:
5. A male-only panel testifies about the Obamacare birth control mandate:
6. The Supreme Court upholds Obamacare:
7. Clint Eastwood talks to a chair:
8. Washington couple marries after the marriage equality measure passed:
9. A pizza shop owner hugs President Obama on the campaign trail:
10. BBC reporter mourns his child, killed in a rocket attack on Gaza:
11. Gabby Douglas becomes first African American to win individual gymnastics gold:
12. The Colorado wildfire rages: