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
- Democrats are searching for their next leader. But they still have Obama. - Politico - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- She will do the right thing: Obama boosts Spanberger at Norfolk rally - Virginia Mercury - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Obama Calls Mamdani to Praise His Campaign and Offers to Be Sounding Board - The New York Times - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- NJ Governors Race Draws Obama and Hannity but Not Trump in Final Days - The New York Times - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Obama campaigns for Sherrill, Spanberger on Saturday in home stretch of gubernatorial elections - CNN - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Obama calls Mamdani, offers help as 'sounding board' in the future: Sources - ABC News - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Obama looks to dial up Dem enthusiasm ahead of Tuesdays elections - The Hill - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Obama calls Mamdani, praises his campaign, offers to be sounding board if he wins - The Times of Israel - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Obama refuses to endorse radical NYC mayoral front-runner Mamdani even after publicly backing this previous mayor - New York Post - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Video Obama: 'Country and our politics are in a pretty dark place right now' - ABC News - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Obama criticizes the Trump administration while speaking in Virginia. - Brut - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Barack Obama led a rally for Mikie Sherrill's race for NJ governor. What he said - Bergen Record - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Obama calls Mamdani, praises his campaign, offers to serve as 'sounding board' if he wins NYC mayoral race - The Times of Israel - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Shares How She Got Her Daughters on Board with Dressing Presidential: We Had a Deal (Exclusive) - People.com - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Obama: Mikie Sherrill and the Mission of America - Insider NJ - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Obama goes scorched earth on Trump while stumping for Sherrill: Dark place right now - New York Post - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Obama aids Democrats in campaign stops ahead of 2025 elections - The Washington Post - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Latest poll shows tight NJ governor race as Obama set to rally for Mikie Sherrill - USA Today - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Barack Obama Predicted Donald Trumps Dramatic White House Makeover in a 2011 Roast of the Future President - People.com - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- The hypocrisy of Democrats on the government shutdown THEY created is UNDENIABLE and INDEFENSIBLE. WATCH former President Barack Obama lay it out. - X - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Where and when former President Obama will be in Norfolk - The Virginian-Pilot - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Obama to rally with Spanberger at Chartway Arena in support of her gubernatorial campaign - WTKR - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Fact Check: Did Obama spend $376 million to build a basketball court at the White House? - WION - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Did Barack Obama spend $376 million for the White House basketball court? Here's the truth | Hindustan Times - Hindustan Times - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Democrats spiral in Virginia as Obama is slammed for 'campaigning against black woman' - Daily Mail - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Ex-Obama Photographer Dogs Donald Trump With Beloved Image Of Now-Demolished East Wing - Yahoo News Singapore - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Critics suggest White House ballroom be renamed after Obama, or bulldozed when Trump leaves office - TheGrio - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Inside the Tense Moment Between the Queen & Obama Before Her Death: Will You - Yahoo - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Donald Trump's Third Term Plan Could Backfire And Bring Barack Obama Back to Power - International Business Times UK - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- President Obama Preferred This Store-Bought Ingredient Over Homemade While Living In The White House - Tasting Table - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- The workout routine that keeps Michelle Obama fit and powerful at 60 - Mundo Deportivo - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Inside the Tense Moment Between the Queen & Obama Before Her Death: Will You - StyleCaster - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- All that glitters: Did Obama foretell Trumps glitzy White House makeover? - The New Daily - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Video If Obama had done this, Republicans would be losing their minds: Isgur on East Wing - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- The 'All-American' Meal Bobby Flay Once Cooked Up For President Obama - The Takeout - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Michelle Obama Facing Backlash From Fans Over Her Controversial Stance On Dating Before College - Yahoo - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Image doesn't show White House after Obama 'wrecked' it to add basketball court - Snopes - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Ex-Obama aide: Is this the most politically insane thing Trump has ever done? - NJ.com - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- [Watch] Anwar Rides In The Beast With Trump, Echoes Najibs 2014 Experience With Obama - TRP | The Rakyat Post - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Biden refused to speak with Obama for weeks before and after dropping out: book - New York Post - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Obama the 'campaign closer' for Democrats in top 2025 elections as party aims to rebound - Fox News - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Former Obama speechwriter finds common ground by riding the waves - CBS News - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Donald Trumps son defends White House demolition with below-the-belt attack on Michelle Obama: No one c - Times of India - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Don Jr. Defends Dads White House Teardown With Vile Attack on Michelle Obama - The Daily Beast - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Obama Calls Out Trump and Enablers Over System Abuse - Yahoo - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Former Obama fundraiser shares his thoughts on the state of the Democratic Party - Fox News - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- How Much Did Obama Spend on White House Renovations? - Market Realist - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Joe Biden refused to speak with Obama for weeks before and after dropping out of presidential election - Irish Star - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Biden refused to speak with Obama for weeks before and after dropping out: book - AOL.com - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Former Obama fundraiser shares his thoughts on the state of the Democratic Party - Yahoo - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Former Obama speechwriter finds common ground by riding the waves - Yahoo - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- How Obama maneuvered behind the scenes to fight Trump on redistricting - The Washington Post - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Obama leading Biden off stage by the hand 'really pissed me off,' Hunter Biden seethes - Fox News - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Obama will campaign with Sherrill in gov races closing stretch - New Jersey Globe - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- With legacy on the line, Obama hitting campaign trail to boost Democrats in key governor elections - Fox News - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- CA Gov. Newsom and Obama speaks on Prop 50 - LiveNOW from FOX - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Obama to Headline GOTV Rally with Sherrill in Newark - Insider NJ - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Barack Obama coming to N.J. to stump for Sherrill in hot governors race - Yahoo - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Hunter Biden Almost Cursed Out Obama Over This Kind Gesture - HuffPost - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Trump Makes This Outrageous Claim About Obama in His Wildest Rant Yet Then Takes it a Step Further - The Root - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- How Obama maneuvered behind the scenes to fight Trump on redistricting - Red Lake Nation News - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Ex-Obama CIA Director John Brennan Referred to DOJ for Criminal Prosecution by House Judiciary Committee - Megyn Kelly The Devil May Care - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Barack Obama coming to N.J. to stump for Sherrill in hot governors race - NJ.com - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Obama Calls Out Trump and Enablers Over System Abuse - The Daily Beast - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Obama to rally with Dem candidates in final week of high-stakes races - Fox News - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Obama, Trump each lend support to Virginia candidates ahead of Election Day - The Virginian-Pilot - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Obama will campaign with Spanberger and Sherrill in high stakes governors races - AP News - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Musk, Obama, Trump: Here are the public submissions for Del Valles new high school name - KXAN Austin - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Obama Targets Hungary, Poland With Organizing Campaign - The Daily Signal - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- With legacy on the line, Obama hitting campaign trail to boost Democrats in key governor elections - Yahoo - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- OBAMA: VOTERS SHOULD CHOOSE WHO REPRESENTS THEM, NOT POLITICIANS A lot of us do not believe that politicians should choose their voters. We believe... - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Obama, surrogates flex their muscle in New Jersey, Virginia elections - Washington Times - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Obama to campaign with Spanberger in Virginia and more state headlines - CBS 19 News - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Obama to campaign with Spanberger in Norfolk Nov. 1 - Richmond Times-Dispatch - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- When the Obama Presidential Center opens next year, it will be a hub for change a place for people from all over the world to come together, get... - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Amy Sherald on her portraiture, her subjects' gaze, and the impact of painting Michelle Obama's portrait - CBS News - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- 'The View': Whoopi Is Shocked to Learn About Obama's Tan-Suitgate After Sunny Hostin Longs to Return to Those Days - TheWrap - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Obama endorses Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey governor's race in move to boost Democrats in key elections - CBS News - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Oscar-Winning Director Ben Proudfoot Talks Historical Significance Of The Eyes Of Ghana, Scoring Doc At Abbey Road Studios & Why Project Was A... - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]
- Obama and Oprah Agree: This Is the Secret to Making Big Life Transitions - Inc.com - October 21st, 2025 [October 21st, 2025]