2011 Top Stories Promo 1

No. 1: U.S. Navy Seals take out Osama bin Laden

May 2, 2011, may not be rembered as much as Sept. 11, but Osama bin Laden didn't get to rejoice on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks he masterminded. That's because American Navy Seals took him out. Bin Laden was shot to death. Payback is a son-of a-bitch.

No. 2: 9/11 a decade later: We will never forget

We can't forget. We won't forget. We will never forget. The 10th anniversary of 9/11 was marked again by the reading of the names of the victims, but mostly the comfort of knowing Osama bin Laden was taken out by U.S. spcial forces on orders of President Obama.

4. Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords shot in the head

Gabrielle GiffordsArizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head during a Jan. 8 rally outside of Tuscon by a lone gunman who killed six people, including conservative federal Judge John Roll.

Twelve ohers besides Giffords were wounded. The 22-year-old gunman, Jared Lee Loughner, was arrested on scene.

On May 16, Giffords recovered enough to travel to Kennedy Space Center

5. Penn State, Syracuse sex scandals hurt college sports programs

Joe Paterno

Joe Paterno's longstanding career came to a halt at Penn State at mid-sean when he was fired amid shocking allegations in early November that former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky had sexual contact with at least 10 boys dating back to 1998, including lewd activity in the men's shower.

The 67-year-old Sandusky admitted to showering and horsing around, but maintained his innocence. A Pennsylvania grand jury handed up indictments with 50 charges against him.

No. 3: British royal wedding captivates the world

It was the wedding of the new century. William and Kate exchanged their vows in April before a worldwide TV audience in Westminster Abbey, but they didn't kiss until later when they emerged on the Buckingham Palace balcony with not one, but two kisses.