Whether through social media, television or the various other media outlets, we constantly hear things that are particularly interesting to us; some are rooted and grounded in pop culture, while others are not.

Nonetheless, here are eight shocking moments that will forever remain on the minds of many. Or at least until the next moment temporarily erases the previous one.

Never a Dull Moment

1. Miley Cyrus went from ‘Hannah Montana’ to being an even bigger global phenomenon. Did anyone on the planet not hear about the twerking and risqué performance that took place between she and Robin Thicke, during their performance on August 21, 2013, at the  MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs)? Miley garnered so much attention that she currently is up for ‘Time Magazine’s Person of the Year’ for this year. Not to mention the fact she has reignited the interest in this popular dance form. The world is watching to see what Miley will do next.

2. Fashion guru, Tim Gunn, often doles out advice to designers on Lifetime TVs’ hit show, ‘Project Runway,’ but he also is a voice for those who have experienced bullying. Bullying is a topic that hits close to home for Gunn, as he too was a victim of bullying. Gunn spoke out against cyberbullying, an unfortunate circumstance that ultimately ended Tyler Clementi’s life.

How so? According to authorities, Tyler Clementi’s sexual preference was male. As Clementi attended Rutgers University at 18 years’ of age, his privacy became invaded when his college roommate, Dharun Ravi, set up a webcam in their dormitory to spy on him.

Ravi’s footage showed Clementi during an intimate act. He later invited others to view the act online as well. Clementi discovered what Ravi had done and that he was planning to record him once more. And, after viewing his roommate’s Twitter feed, Clementi learned he had become the topic of ridicule. Unable to cope with this newfound unwanted attention, he plunged to his death several days later by jumping off the George Washington Bridge; a fatality that would’ve been prevented with a little understanding and tolerance on the part of Ravi.

3. The 2008 Presidential Election, will forever be one of the most impressive moments in History, as the U.S. elected its first African-American president, Barack Obama. No matter where you were on November 4, 2008, you learned that Mr. Obama defeated Republican presidential nominee, John McCain, 52.9 percent to 45.7 percent. While Obama currently holds the title of being the 44th U.S. president, he will hold this post a little longer, as he was recently re-elected for a second term in 2012.

4. Gary, Ind., is the birthplace of one of the most magnificent icons. Belting out songs on stage with his four brothers, from ABC’s to 1,2,3’s, then eventually embarking on a highly successful solo career, the ‘King of Pop,’ Michael Jackson, left us wanting to hear more of his great music. Sadly, the world said goodbye to Jackson on June 25, 2009; he died from cardiac arrest in his Los Angeles home. With a career that spanned decades, what’s your favorite Michael Jackson song?

5. Centennial, Colo. doesn’t make headlines on CNN’s newscast very often. In fact, the last time it gained major attention was when then 24-year-old former doctoral student, James Holmes, stormed into the Century Aurora 16 multiplex just a few minutes into a midnight screening of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ brandishing firearms. In July of 2012, Holmes fatally wounded 12 people and seriously injured several others. This massacre was just one of many that has heightened peoples’ awareness about safety in public places.

6. TLC is a television station that is known for its educational programs, however, ‘Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,’ is not one of them. Who is Honey Boo Boo? Honey Boo Boo, Alana Thompson, was a contestant on ‘Toddlers & Tiaras,’ another program from Discovery Communications. The bold and loud-mouthed, Alana, drinks ‘go go juice,’ while being quite a conversation piece, as she and her family members are filmed at their home in McIntyre, Ga. One of her most popular phrases is, “A dollar makes me holler, honey boo boo!” Who can argue with an eight-year-old who knows what she wants?

7. Epic songstress and Newark, NJ, native, Whitney Houston, took Dolly Parton’s hit, ‘I Will Always Love You’ and made it her own. Houston starred in several films such as ‘The Bodyguard’ and ‘Waiting to Exhale.’ Nonetheless, she was set to revive her acting career with the ‘Sparkle’ remake, that was slated to debut in August 2012. Houston never got to see reactions to her latest film because she passed away February 11, 2012. She died at age 48, in the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Ca., from what many believe was compilations from years of drug abuse. Houston leaves behind many who loved her including doting mother, Cissy Houston, and her only daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown. She was laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, NJ. We will always love you, Whitney!

8. Rounding out the list is Hurricane Sandy, which was dubbed ‘Super storm Sandy’ and for good reason, too. On October 29, 2012, this storm battered and bruised the East Coast, with the severe effects of this storm felt in both New York and New Jersey. As Sandy hit, she left behind strong wind gusts, heavy rain and record storm surges, according to FEMA reports. Moreover, more than 23,000 people sought refuge in temporary shelters and more than 8.5 million customers lost power. Sandy’s aftermath can still be seen in certain parts, a year later. It undoubtedly is difficult to keep score of progress, since she devastated many homes and businesses along the North East.

Here’s More Hurricane Sandy Facts:

• More than $1.4 billion in Individual Assistance has been provided to more than 182,000 survivors;

• An additional $2.4 billion in low-interest disaster loans have been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration;

• More than $7.9 billion in National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) payments have been made to policy holders;

• FEMA has approved more than $3.2 billion to fund emergency work, debris removal and repair and replacement of infrastructure.

Because Eight is Never Enough!

Of course we can go on and on about the most infamous moments. And, believe me, if we were to add to this list it would run miles long. Moreover, it’s just a matter of minutes, days, hours, before the next topic of interest surfaces.

Web Links:

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/twerk;

http://www.biography.com/people/barack-obama-12782369?page=4;

http://www.biography.com/people/michael-jackson-38211?page=6;

http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/30/us/colorado-theater-shooting/index.html;

http://gawker.com/5933309/what-honey-boo-boo-child-is-and-why-you-should-care-a-guide-to-reality-tvs-trashiest-sensation;

http://www.fema.gov/hurricane-sandy;

http://www.tmz.com/2012/02/13/whitney-houston-cause-of-death-prescription-drugs-drowning-atlanta/;

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/singer-whitney-houston-dies-at-48/;

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/whitney-houston-died-beverly-hills.html

-Kimberly Williams