Deaths on January 4

Gert Jonke, Austrian poet, playwright, and author (b. 1946)

Gert Jonke (8 February 1946 – 4 January 2009) was an Austrian poet, playwright and novelist.

26 Jan

2009 Malagasy political crisis
Rioting breaks out in Antananarivo, Madagascar, sparking a political crisis that will result in the replacement of President Marc Ravalomanana with Andry Rajoelina.
29 Jan

Rod Blagojevich corruption charges
Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich is removed from office following his conviction of several corruption charges, including the alleged solicitation of personal benefit in exchange for an appointment to the United States Senate as a replacement for then-U.S. president-elect Barack Obama.
12 Jun

2009 Iranian election protests
A disputed presidential election in Iran leads to wide-ranging local and international protests.
4 Jul

September 11 attacks
The Statue of Liberty's crown reopens to the public after eight years of closure due to security concerns following the September 11 attacks.
5 Nov

2009 Fort Hood shooting
U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan murders 13 and wounds 32 at Fort Hood, Texas in the deadliest mass shooting at a U.S. military installation.