You ‘ve been asking and we are always happy to oblige. We at Babysakes are always keen to help out new moms – especially when it means doing the research so you can fill out those Baby’s World pages in your fabulous Baby Book from BabySakes.com!
So here we go with the wonderful topsy-turvy year 2008 – just choose the key bits that you would like to add to your baby memory book:
World Leaders:
- President George W. Bush – USA
- Prime Minister Gordon Brown – UK
- President Hu Jintao – China
- President Pratibha Patil – India
- Prime Minister Kevin Michael Rudd – Australia
- Prime Minister Nicolas Sarkozy – France
- President Horst Kohler – Germany
- President Dmitry Medvedev- Russia
Top Stories of 2008
Near financial collapse, the US Government came to the aid of some of the historically most financially solvent institutions. Because of the sub-prime mortgage debacle, many banks found themselves out of cash. Those that weren’t gobbled up by their former competitors, were left floundering. Lehman Brothers was allowed to fail, but Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and AIG were helped out by taxpayers. By the end of the year, consumer spending was at record declines, home values continued to plummet and joblessness on the rise.
Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States in an historic victory that brought the United States its first African-American President. In an equally historic democratic primary, Obama defeated Hillary Clinton for the nomination after a 50-state caucus. On the right, Alaska governer Sarah Palin energized the ticket headed by John McCain in the Republican nomination. The long and hard-fought election also showed a marked generational shift in American Politics with the Internet, mobile phones and social networking being used to rally support for candidates.
For three days in November Mumbai, the financial and movie capitol of India, was held hostage by 10 armed men. The tourism center was hit hardest with hotels and restrants becoming sites of unbelievable carnage.
The term “Made in China” brought about a great deal of fear in the minds of consumers as the chemical melamine was found in food products given to animals and humans and high levels of lead in children’s toys brought about new consumer saftey standards.
Top Selling Music Albums of 2008
1. As I Am – Alicia Keys
2. Noel – Josh Groban
3. Tha Carter III – Lil Wayne
4. Long Road Out of Eden – Eagles
5. Taylor Swift – Taylor Swift
6. Rock N Roll Jesus – Kid Rock
7. Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends – Coldplay
8. Now 26 – Various Artists
9. Carnival Ride – Carrie Underwood
10. The Ultimate Hits – Garth Brooks
Top Grossing Movies of 2008:
1. The Dark Knight
2. Iron Man
3. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
4. Hancock
5. WALL-E
6. Kung Fu Panda
7. Twilight
8. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
9. Quantum of Solace
10. Horton Hears a Who!
Highest Paid Actors of 2008:
1. Will Smith
2. Johnny Depp
3. Eddie Murphy
4. Mike Myers
5. Leonardo Dicaprio
Actresses
1. Angelina Jolie
2. Cameron Diaz
3. Jennifer Aniston
4. Keira Knightly
5. Jennifer Lopez
Best Sellers of 2008:
(Non Fiction)
1. The Forever War by Dexter Filkins
2. The Thief at the End of the World by Joe Jackson
3. The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder
4. The World Is What It Is by Patrick French
5. The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher by Kate Summerscale
(Fiction)
1. 2666 by Roberto Bolaño
2. Lush Life by Richard Price
3. Lush Life by Richard Price
4. Anathem by Neal Stephenson
5. Unaccustomed Earth Jhumpa Lahiri
(Children)
1. The Pencil by Allan Ahlberg and Bruce Ingman
2. Big Words for Little People by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
3. Bats at the Library, Written and illustrated by Brian Lies
4. Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton
5. Oodles of Animals by Lois Ehlert
Top 10 Highest Rated Television Shows of 2008:
1. American Idol Tuesday (Fox) 2. American Idol Wednesday (Fox) – 15.3%
3. Dancing with the Stars (ABC) – 4. Dancing with the Stars Results (ABC) – 11.4%
5. The Mentalist (CBS)
6. NBC Sunday Night Football (NBC)
7. CSI (CBS)
8. NCIS (CBS)
9. 60 Minutes (CBS)
10. Survivor: Gabon
What Things Cost in 2008
Gallon of Milk: $3.72
Gallon of Gas: At its highest it was $4.20 for regular unleaded.
Loaf of Bread: Approximately $1.59
Movie Ticket: Average price $7.20
College Education: Private – $25,143 per year Public: $6,585 per year.
House: $206, 200(Median Home Price)
Car: About 25,000 to 35,000 for a moderately priced new car or SUV.
Diapers: Approximately 18 to 28 cents a diaper.
Babysitter: Approximately $12 – 15 an hour for someone over age 18.
Sunday Paper: Average price $2.50 to 3.00 or free online.
Postage Stamp: 42 cents
As always, let us know if there is any more information you need in the comments. We are happy to oblige.