The biggest stories of the decade according to you – NBC News
We asked: What do you think are the biggest stories of the past decade? Here's what NBC News and MSNBC readers and viewers shared. We'll be updating this graphic through the end of 2019.
Numbers indicate the number of submissions per story.
Donald J. Trump's victory in the 2016 presidential election was nothing short of a political earthquake and the aftershocks continue to rock the lives of Americans. The real estate developer and former reality television star has virtually monopolized headlines for nearly every day of his presidency, thrilling his supporters and alarming his critics with hard-right policy moves, incendiary rhetoric and a freewheeling Twitter feed.
Trump, who is gearing up for re-election in 2020, has already reshaped the landscape with a massive tax cut, sweeping changes to immigration rules, and the consolidation of the conservative majority on the Supreme Court. No matter the outcome of Novembers election, Trump has unequivocally redefined the presidency for many years to come.
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Washington may be divided on the correct response to global warming, but huge swaths of people across the world, from progressive political leaders to average citizens and activists, are convinced that climate change represents the gravest and most pressing threat to the planet. Whats more, many scientists expect that the issue caused by the burning of coal, oil and gas could get far worse by the end of the century.
Trump, for his part, has announced his intention to pull out of the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement. But people in states and cities across the United States and many parts of the world remain committed to curbing greenhouse gas emissions and continue to push for more comprehensive action. Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg, meanwhile, emerged this year as a global conscience for environmental activism. (She also made the cut for the biggest story of the decade as chosen by NBC News readers and viewers).
America's intelligence agencies agree: Russian President Vladimir Putin's government meddled in the 2016 presidential election, aiming to sow social discord and boost Trump's anti-establishment candidacy. The interference campaign, with tactics ranging from fake news and digital disinformation to the hacking of the Democratic National Committee, have been heavily dissected and hotly debated throughout much of Trump's time in the Oval Office.
Russian election interference, characterized by some as an unprecedented subversion of American democracy, was also one of the focal points of former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into possible ties between Trump campaign associates and Putin's government. Mueller ultimately found no proof that Trump criminally colluded with Russia, but senior officials continue to sound the alarm about Russia's plans for 2020.
The fourth-biggest story of the decade is still being written: Earlier this month, Trump became only the third president in U.S. history to be impeached after the Democratic-led House of Representatives charged him with committing high crimes and misdemeanors. The process will eventually move to a trial in the GOP-controlled Senate.
Democrats accuse Trump of violating his oath of office in pressuring Ukraine to announce investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter while withholding some $400 million in aid, as well as obstructing Congress by refusing to release any documents related to his actions. Trump, who has angrily pushed back against the Houses proceedings, now becomes the first president to run for re-election after being impeached.
Barack Obamas re-election in 2012 cemented his barrier-breaking place in history and symbolized the dramatic cultural changes of the decade. Obamas second term in the White House was often hindered by fierce GOP opposition in Congress, although he notched a series of progressive victories, including signing the Paris Agreement, reaching a nuclear deal with Iran and negotiating rapprochement with Cuba.
But simmering domestic unrest, including the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, and mounting anger in many parts of the world over the unequal recovery from the global financial crisis frequently tested the limits of Obamas political appeal. The resurgence of anti-establishment populism in his final months in office Brexit, Trumps election also threatened to erode much of his legacy.
And yet for many Americans, Obama remains an inspirational figure admired for his soaring rhetoric, steady leadership and history-making ascent to the White House.
Robin Muccari is a data visualizations and graphics designer for NBC News Digital.
Daniel Arkin is a reporter for NBC News.
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The biggest stories of the decade according to you - NBC News
- In first midterm rallies, Obama assails Trump administration - The Washington Post - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- Obama rallies rapturous Michigan crowd for El-Sayed: Hell finish the job we started - The Guardian - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- In Ohio rally, Obama blasts Ramaswamy, GOP over controversial Acton ad: "No low he will not sink to" - CBS News - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- Obama on Trump, Democrats and AI: Nine quotes from his Ohio speech - Cleveland.com - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- Whats up with the gold? Heres what Obama said about Trumps White House makeover - KBTX News 3 - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- How Obama and Trump Made Their Cases in Dueling Midterm Speeches - The New York Times - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- Obama slams Ramaswamy and Trump in his first rally of the midterms - Politico - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- Obama slams Trumps cruelty and corruption as he rallies Democrats - Al Jazeera - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- Trump and Obama share dueling messages in final stretch of midterm elections - WBAL-TV - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- Trump tariffs bring jobs as Barack Obama warns of rising costs - Fox Business - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- Obama Issues Searing Attacks on Trump and Ramaswamy in Return to Campaign Trail - The New York Times - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- Whats up with the gold? Heres what Obama said about Trumps White House makeover - KTTC - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- Obama Campaigned and Failed to Stop Trump in 2024. Hes Trying Again. - WSJ - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- How Obama and Trump Made Their Cases in Dueling Midterm Speeches - GV Wire - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- Whats up with the gold? Heres what Obama said about Trumps White House makeover - FOX5 Vegas - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- Whats up with the gold? Heres what Obama said about Trumps White House makeover - Cleveland 19 News - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- Obama, Trump hit the campaign trail in the Midwest ahead of midterms - KFOR - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- Barack Obama backs Maryland ballot measure that could reshape congressional map - TheGrio - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- Polling expert just compared Trump to Obama and the numbers are brutal - NJ.com - October 26th, 2026 [October 26th, 2026]
- Obama heads to Atlanta to rally voters for Jon Ossoff and Keisha Lance Bottoms - CBS News - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Video: Opinion | The Echoes of Obama in Abdul El-Sayeds Campaign - The New York Times - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- The BU Alum Behind the Obama Presidential Centers Food, Art, and Events - Boston University - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Trump to rally in Kansas, Obama to campaign in 3 states as early voting expands - Spectrum News - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Obama Unloads on Trump Over His 'Appalling Conduct Toward Rep. Ilhan Omar - The Daily Beast - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Election 2026 updates: Obama coming to Cleveland, videos from recent campaign stops - The Land - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Barack Obama is coming to Atlanta to campaign for Ossoff and Bottoms - Axios - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Former President Obama joins Ossoff, Bottoms - the Southerner Online - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- President Trump and former President Obama to visit Georgia ahead of midterms - 95.5 WSB - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Obama Accuses Trump Administration Of Intimidating Ilhan Omar Over Political Views - Arise News - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Obama Slams Trump Probe into Ilhan Omar as 'Appalling' and Says It's Everyone's Problem - Latin Times - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Obama coming to Georgia to rally for Jon Ossoff, Keisha Bottoms - Yahoo - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Obama to hold rally in Atlanta with Ossoff and Bottoms - 11Alive.com - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- PBS Has a New History Special Featuring Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton - Parade Magazine - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- This Week on the Hill: Michigan Senate debate, Trump rallies and Obama hits the trail - The Hill - October 19th, 2026 [October 19th, 2026]
- Trump says he could still go after Clintons, Obama to destroy their reputations - The Hill - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Barack Obama pays tribute to Manchester cotton workers and cites them as an inspiration - The Guardian - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama Takes a Cool-Girl Approach to Fall Dressing With Unexpected Pants - InStyle - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Peter Thiel says Obama and Pope Leo are exploiting AI fears in his latest Antichrist lectures - Fortune - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- 'Not As Hopeful As I Want To Be': Barack Obama Warns Israeli Right-wing Shift Threatens Peace - i24NEWS - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Barack Obama to campaign with Ohio Democrats as he expands his outreach ahead of Election Day - AP News - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama Puts Her Dazzling $50,000 Ring Stack on Display With Perfect Fall Outfit - InStyle - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- The Blogs: Time to Tune Out Obama - The Times of Israel - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama steps out for unexpected girls' night with Megan Thee Stallion and La La Anthony in LA - HOLA - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Obama urges Nevadans to elect Attorney General Aaron Ford as governor in new video - KRXI - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Ex-Obama aide restructures comms and lobbying firm - PRWeek - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Barack Obama Says Israel Took Land From Palestinians, Warns It Will Lose Moral Ground: how 11 outlets framed it - NewsCord - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Barack Obama to campaign with Ohio Democrats as he expands his outreach ahead of Election Day - Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW) - October 17th, 2026 [October 17th, 2026]
- Obama warns donors that races are 'on the razor's edge' as he ramps up midterm push - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama, Praising Past White House Remodels, Takes Veiled Aim at Trump - The New York Times - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Sam Kass, former Obama family personal chef and policy adviser, wins the Julia Child Award - Chicago Tribune - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Obama raises more than $13 million for Democrats, urges voters to "turn hope into action" at ballot box in November - CBS News - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Obama Foundation and Presidential Center employees are organizing with AFSCME - afscme - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Boston: The remarkable Bush-Obama friendship - Dallas News - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Mike Ditka tributes pour in from President Trump, former President Obama, Chicago and the NFL - AP News - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Former President Barack Obama endorses David Crowley in Wisconsin race for governor - News From The States - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Obama Foundation and Presidential Center workers to unionize: We don't even have a seat at the table - Chicago Sun-Times - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Trump says he could have done very bad things to Biden, Obama and Clinton - MS NOW - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- KFile: El-Sayed has history of knocking Obama & his failures - CNN - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Trump: I could have done bad things to Hillary Clinton, Biden, Obama - The Hill - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- At the Races: Unleash Obama - Roll Call - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Democrats see hope with Obama on the campaign trail - Denver Gazette - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Obama endorses Crowley for Wisconsin governor - The Daily Cardinal - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama lowers boom on Trump over White House renovations - SILive.com - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Trump says he rejected investigating Biden, Obama out of 'respect' for office - USA Today - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama: Care For This Country as We Would Our Own Children - East Wing Magazine - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- NEWS OF THE WEEK: Barack and Michelle Obama celebrate 34 years wed - Yahoo - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- El-Sayed Has Trump Fuming, AOC Buzzing and Obama Stumping - WSJ - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Former Obama advisor tells divided Maine Democrats to 'get over your s---' and win the race - Fox News - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Abdul El-Sayed Criticized Obama for Years. Now Theyre Campaigning Together - National Review - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Michelle Obama Steps Out in Monochromatic Look That Puts a Twist on Her Signature Style - InStyle - October 10th, 2026 [October 10th, 2026]
- Barack Obama is in Massachusetts today. Here's why - NBC Boston - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - WDBJ7 - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama Visits KC, First Day of Fall - Flatland KC - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - FOX5 Vegas - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting the Obama Presidential Center - Chicago Maroon - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - WTHI-TV - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - WJHG - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - ABC7 WWSB - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - Valley News Live - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]
- Obama says the government should act fast and regulate AI - WTOC - September 22nd, 2026 [September 22nd, 2026]