These are the 100 best photographs that captured a snapshot of 2024. Everything from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Super Bowl kiss, the attempted assassinations of Donald Trump, drones over New Jersey to illegal migrants rushing Texas border, the Paris Olympics and the devastating hurricanes that battered the US.
Japan Airlines Flight 516 collided with a Coast Guard plane as it landed at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan, on January 2, 2024. Five people were killed. REUTERS
A missing window and portion of a side wall of an Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, suffered depressurization soon after departing Portland, Oregon, on January 5, 2024. via REUTERS
Rabbinical students who were found hiding ‘inside a hole’ refused to leave an illegal synagogue tunnel under the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, on January 8, 2024. AP
E. Jean Carroll leaves Federal court, on Janusary 26, 2024. A jury awarded her $83.3 million for defamatory comments Donald Trump made about her in 2019. AP
King Charles III leaves the London Clinic on January 29, 2024. He had undertaken prostate surgery on January 26. AFP via Getty Images
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologizes to families whose children killed themselves over instagram and Facebook during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, January 31, 2024. AP
President Joe Biden watches on as casket containing the remains of U.S. Army Sgt. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, arrives at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Friday, Febreuary 2, 2024. Sgt. Kennedy Sanders was killed in a drone attack on a U.S. outpost in Jordan. AP
Lava crosses the main road to Grindavík and flows on the road leading to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, Thursday, February 8, 2024. AP
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift embrace after the Chiefs beat the 49ers at Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 11, 2024. Getty Images
People take cover during a shooting at Union Station during the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII victory parade in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 14, 2024. One person was killed and 22 other people were injured after shots were fired at the end of the parade. Getty Images
Zendaya attends the World Premiere of “Dune: Part Two” in Leicester Square on February 15, 2024 in London, England. Samir Hussein/WireImage
Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates after breaking the NCAA women’s all-time scoring record during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on February 15, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa. Getty Images
Hunter Biden arrives for a closed-door deposition before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and House Judiciary Committee in the O’Neill House Office Building on February 28, 2024 in Washington, DC. Getty Images
Emma Stone celebrates backstage at the Oscars with Sally Field, Michelle Yeoh and Jennifer Lawrence. Emma Stone won Best Actress for her role in ‘Poor Things’, on March 10, 2024. Getty Images
Moment illegal migrants battle Texas National Guard and tear down fence at the border in El Paso, Texas, on March 21, 2024. James Breeden for NY Post
Cargo ship Dali struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland on March 26, 2024, causing the bridge to collapse and killing six construction workers. The Washington Post via Getty Images
An airplane passes near the total solar eclipse as seen from Bloomington, Indiana, April 8, 2024. The solar eclipse was visible across a band covering parts of North America, from Mexico to Canada. Bobby Goddin / USA TODAY NETWORK
A Russian servicemen secures an area outside the Crocus City Hall after an ISIS coordinated terrorist attack in Moscow Oblast, Russia, on March 22, 2024. 145 people were killed, 551 injured. AP
Five Household Cavalry horses (two seen here) escaped their riders after they were spooked by the noise of builders during a routine exercise on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, London, on April 24, 2024. PA Images via Getty Images
Students walk past a Pro-Palestinian encampment on the lawn of Columbia University, NYC, on April 22, 2024. Protests began on April 17. James Keivom
A dust cloud from the Sahara Desert in Africa covered the Acropolis and city of Athens, Greece, on April 23, 2024. Getty Images
A member of the maintenance crew confronts a Pro-Palestinian demonstrator attempting to barricade themselves inside Hamilton Hall, NYC, on April 30, 2024. Getty Images
April 29, 2024, NASA releases an image taken by the Webb Telescope of a close-up portion of the Horsehead Nebula, about 0.8 light-years wide. NASA/ESA/CSA
The New York–Dublin Portal was an interactive installation created by Lithuanian artist Benediktas Gylys to allow people in New York City and Dublin to interact with each other using two 24-hour live streaming video screens. Seen here on May 10, 2024. Michael Nagle
Harrison Butker makes controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College on May 11, 2024. During his address, Butker made remarks that many perceived as homophobic and sexist. Benedictine College
Golfer Scottie Scheffler, ranked World No. 1, was arrested by Louisville Metro Police after attempting to drive into the entrance of Valhalla Golf Club, on May 17, 2024. LMPD
Robert De Niro argued with Donald Trump supporters, after speaking to reporters in support of President Joe Biden across the street from Trump’s criminal trial in NYC, May 28, 2024. AP
Donald Trump approaches the media after a jury found him guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, on May 30, 2024. Steven Hirsch
Photos released June 7 by the NYPD, shows an officer taking down a migrant riding an illegal moped in Midtown Manhattan. The NYPD began to crack down on migrant moped gangs. NYPD
An October 7th hostage, Almog Meir Jan, is seen after his rescue by IDF forces, on June 8, 2024. REUTERS
A viral video appeared to show Joe Biden wandering off during a skydiving demonstration at the G7 summit in southern Italy, on June 13, 2024. Reuters
Catherine, Princess of Wales waves during Trooping the Colour, in London, England, on June 15, 2024. This was Kate’s first public appearance since announcing her cancer diagnosis. UK Press via Getty Images
Justin Timberlake’s mugshot following his arrest for driving while intoxicated in Sag Harbor, New York, on June 18, 2024. Sag Harbor PD
Pope Francis met with 106 comics, including Stephen Colbert, Chris Rock and Jimmy Fallon, at the Vatican, on June 14, 2024. via REUTERS
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange raises his fist after arriving at Canberra Airport, Australia, on June 26, 2024. Assange returned home to Australia to start life as a free man. AFP via Getty Images
Joe Biden mumbled, stumbled and froze during his train wreck debate with Donald trump, on June 27, 2024. CNN
Karen Read and her lawyers addressed the crowd outside court in Dedham, Massachusetts, on July 1, 2024, after a mistrial was declared in the murder of her Boston police officer boyfriend. David McGlynn
A “Recortador” is gored by a bull during the Pamplona festival, northern Spain, July 7, 2024. AP
Emergency workers respond at the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital hit by Russian missiles, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 8, 2024. AP
Alec Baldwin hugs his attorney after a judge dismissed his involuntary manslaughter trial in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on July 12, 2024. POOL/AFP via Getty Images
A bloodied Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents after an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. AP
Joe Biden addresses the nation about his decision to drop his Democratic presidential reelection bid, from the White House, July 24, 2024. AP
A fox fleeing from flames through tall grass during the Park Fire in Butte County, California, on July 25, 2024. AP
Iron Man actor, Robert Downey Jr. is unveiled to play Doctor Doom, another Marvel character, during Comic-Con International at San Diego Convention Center on July 27, 2024. Getty Images
A photo goes viral of Brazil’s Gabriel Medina reacting to catching a large wave in the 5th heat of the men’s surfing event during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Tahiti, on July 29, 2024. AFP via Getty Images
Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after disorder broke out on July 30, 2024. Misinformation spread online about a 17-year-old suspect in the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport, England. Getty Images
Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera, Jade Carey, Sunisa Lee, and Simone Biles of Team USA celebrate after winning the gold medal in the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Team final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 30, 2024. Getty Images
Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich, hugs his mother, Ella Milman, upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., on August 1, 2024. Gershkovich had been wrongly detained in Russia since March 2023 on charges of espionage. Bloomberg via Getty Images
Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Italy’s Angela Carini faced off in a controversial Olympic boxing match in Paris on August 1, 2024. The bout ended abruptly after just 46 seconds when Carini withdrew, citing intense pain following a punch from Khelif. AP
The picturesque setting of the Olympic Beach Volleyball, with the Eiffel Tower in the backdrop at dusk, in Paris, on August 4, 2024. REUTERS
A digital composite view shows Noah Lyles of Team United States winning the Men’s 100m Final, Paris Olympics, August 4, 2024. Getty Images
Breakdancing made its Olympic debut, and Raygun of Team Australia became a global sensation after her routine at Place de la Concorde, Paris, on August 9, 2024. Getty Images
Barron Trump leaves Trump Tower in NYC for his first day at New York University’s Stern School of Business on September 4, 2024. New York Post
Colt Gray, charged as an adult with four counts of murder, sits in the Barrow County courthouse during his first appearance for the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on September 6, 2024. AP
Kamala Harris shakes hands with Donald Trump during a presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 2024. AFP via Getty Images
Billionaire Jared Isaacman became the first private citizen to conduct a spacewalk during SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission, on September 12, 2024. SpaceX
Ryan W. Routh, suspected of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course, is led by two Martin County Sheriff’s Office deputies after his arrest during a traffic stop near Palm City, Florida, on September 15, 2024. via REUTERS
Members of Hezbollah were targeted by a series of coordinated explosions involving booby-trapped pagers and walkie-talkies, resulting in at least 37 deaths and over 3000 injuries across Lebanon and Syria, on September 17, 2024. @Osint613
Harvey Weinstein is seen for the first time since recovering from emergency heart surgery as he leaves Bellevue Hospital, NYC, on September 18, 2024. Appearing in court that day he pleaded not guilty to a new charge of first-degree criminal sexual act in New York. Probe-Media for NY Post
A driver clings to the hood of a car during flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in Boone, North Carolina, on September 27, 2024. REUTERS
New York City Mayor Eric Adams appeared in Manhattan federal court to face charges of fraud and bribery, on Septemebr 27, 2024. AP
Iranian missiles intercepted by Israel’s defenses above Jerusalem on October 1, 2024. AFP via Getty Images
In the aftermath of an Iranian missile attack, Israeli citizens stand on top of the remains of a missile in the Negev Desert near Arad on October 2, 2024. AFP via Getty Images
California physician Mark Chavez exits federal court in Los Angeles on October 2, 2024. Chavez pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute the drug ketamine to the late actor Matthew Perry, who died of a ketamine overdose in October 2023. AFP via Getty Images
Elon Musk jumps on stage as he joins Donald Trump during a campaign rally at site of his first assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, on October 5, 2024. AFP via Getty Images
NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick captured this view of Hurricane Milton over Florida from the International Space Station, on October 8, 2024. Matthew Dominick/UPI/Shutterstock
The damaged stadium roof of Tropicana Field, the morning after Hurricane Milton hit the region in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024. AP
Sean “Diddy” Combs made his first federal court appearance in Manhattan on September 17, 2024, following his arrest on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. REUTERS
SpaceX’s Starship Super Heavy Booster is caught using mechanical arms known as “Mechazilla” upon its return to Earth at Starbase near Boca Chica, Texas, on October 13, 2024. This event marked a pivotal step toward developing a fully reusable rocket system. AFP via Getty Images
Hamas chief and Oct. 7 mastermind, Yahya Sinwar, was killed by Israeli forces during a firefight in southern Gaza, on October 17, 2024. IDF
Geoff Payne, the father of former One Direction singer Liam Payne, greets fans at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where his son tragically fell to his death from his room balcony two days earlier on October 16, 2024. AP
Donald Trump works the drive-through line as he visits a McDonald’s restaurant, in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania, on October 20, 2024. Getty Images
A missile launched from an Israeli jet hits a building in Ghobeiri, Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, October 22, 2024. AP
LA District Attorney George Gascón shakes hands with Diane Hernandez (niece of Kitty Menendez) after he announced his decision on a possible resentencing recommendation for Erik and Lyle Menendez, on October 24, 2024. The Menendez brothers have spent over 30 years in prison for the 1989 murders of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, at their Beverly Hills mansion. Getty Images
Fans interfere with a foul ball caught by LA Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts during the first inning in Game 4 of the baseball World Series against the Yankees, in NYC, on October 29, 2024. AP
Deadly floods triggered by torrential rains piled up cars in Sedavi, south of Valencia, eastern Spain, on October 30, 2024. AFP via Getty Images
Kamala Harris appears on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” with Maya Rudolph in NYC, on November 2, 2024. AP
The “Wicked” press tour begins; Jeff Goldblum, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey attend the Australian premiere of “Wicked” at State Theatre, Sydney Australia, on November 3, 2024. WireImage
A new migrant caravan in Tapachula, Mexico, makes its way to the U.S. on November 5, 2024. REUTERS
Donald Trump, joined by Melania Trump and Barron Trump, makes his first appearance after winning the 2024 presidential election at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on November 6, 2024. AP
Pygmy hippo Moo Deng splashes in a bucket of water in her enclosure at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Pattaya, Thailand, on November 11, 2024. The hippo became a popular internet meme after images were posted on the zoos official Facebook page. Getty Images
Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, on November 13, 2024. AP
Former U.S. Marine Daniel Penny arrives with his mother, Gina Penny, at Manhattan Criminal Court on November 19, 2024, for his trial in the death of Jordan Neely, who died after being placed in a chokehold on a subway train. Penny was acquitted on December 9, 2024. REUTERS
Spain’s Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, acknowledges the crowd after his final professional tennis match, at the Davis Cup Finals at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena arena in Malaga, Spain, on November 19, 2024. AFP via Getty Images
President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, Matt Gaetz closes a door to a private meeting with Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, on November 20, 2024. The next day Gaetz withdrew from consideration for AG, citing concerns that his nomination was distracting the transition team. AP
Family members and friends of Laken Riley react as Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard announces the guilty verdict of Jose Ibarra, at Athens-Clarke County Superior Court, Georgia, on November 20, 2024. AP
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh, in Beirut, Lebanon, on November 26, 2024. AP
Multiple unknown drones photographed in Toms River, New Jersey, on December 8, 2024. The state experienced a surge in mysterious drone sightings across its skies. USA TODAY photo illustration; photos by Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Juan Soto was introduced as the newest New York Met, at Citi Field on December 12, 2024. Soto agreed to a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets, marking the largest deal in professional sports history. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Surveillance footage shows UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson being tragically shot and killed outside the Midtown Hilton Hotel in NYC, on December 4, 2024. Obtained by NY Post
Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul after South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, on December 4, 2024. AFP via Getty Images
Taylor Swift concluded her record-breaking Eras Tour with a poignant final concert at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium, on December 8, 2024. The Eras Tour began on March 17, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona. Getty Images for TAS Rights Management
An organist plays during the first mass in the newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, on December 8, 2024. Blondet Eliot/ABACA/Shutterstock
Syrians drag a toppled statue of the late President Hafez al-Assad through the streets during a rally in Damascus, on December 15, 2024. President Bashar al-Assad was ousted on December 8, ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. AFP via Getty Images
Time Magazine names President-elect Donald Trump its “Person of the Year,” marking the second time he has won the accolade in acknowledgement of his political comeback. TIME
Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the murder of UnitedHealth Group executive Brian Thompson, arrives in NYC after being extradited from Pennsylvania, on December 19, 2024. REUTERS
Gisele Pelicot gives a statement outside court in Avignon, France, after her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, and 50 other men were convicted on charges of raping her over a multiyear period, on December 19, 2024. Getty Images
Video surveillance captures the moment a car plows into a crowd at the Magdeburg Christmas market in Germany on December 20, 2024. Five people were killed, and over 200 others were injured.
The wreckage of the Jeju Air aircraft that went off the runway and crashed lies at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, on December 30, 2024. The plane was carrying 181 people, only two survived. REUTERS
