January

• Bitcoin genesis block is mined January 3, 2009 — The pseudonymous developer Satoshi Nakamoto mined block 0 of the Bitcoin blockchain, the genesis block, on January 3, 2009, launching the network. The block's coinbase data embeds a newspaper headline from that day, functioning as both a timestamp and a comment on the 2008-09 bank bailouts. Bitcoin Wiki ↗ (opens in new tab)
• Barack Obama is inaugurated as president 2009-01-20 — Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president, becoming the first African American to hold the office; Joe Biden was sworn in as vice president.

  Washington, D.C.. West Front, U.S. Capitol Location ↗ (opens in new tab)

  Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies ↗ (opens in new tab)
• Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act becomes law 2009-01-29 — Public Law 111-2 amended federal employment-discrimination law regarding the timing of compensation-discrimination claims. GovInfo / U.S. Government Publishing Office ↗ (opens in new tab)
• Federal Reserve holds target rate at 0–1/4% 2009-01-28 — The Federal Open Market Committee kept its target for the federal funds rate at 0–1/4 percent. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ↗ (opens in new tab)

February

• Slumdog Millionaire wins Best Picture at the 2009 Academy Awards 2009-02-22 — Slumdog Millionaire won Best Picture at the 2009 Academy Awards, honoring films released in 2008.

  Annual Entertainment anchor event for the America Since 2000 timeline, sourced to the Academy’s official ceremony archive.

  Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ↗ (opens in new tab)
• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act becomes law 2009-02-17 — Public Law 111-5 enacted a large fiscal-stimulus package including spending, aid to governments, and tax provisions during the recession. GovInfo / U.S. Government Publishing Office ↗ (opens in new tab)

March

• NASA launches the Kepler planet-hunting telescope March 7, 2009 — Kepler launched to measure how common Earth-size planets are around other stars. National Aeronautics and Space Administration ↗ (opens in new tab)

April

• Olive Kitteridge, by Elizabeth Strout wins the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction April 20, 2009 — The Pulitzer Prize Board awarded Olive Kitteridge, by Elizabeth Strout the 2009 prize for Fiction. The Pulitzer Prizes ↗ (opens in new tab)
• Ruined, by Lynn Nottage wins the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama April 20, 2009 — The Pulitzer Prize Board awarded Ruined, by Lynn Nottage the 2009 prize for Drama. The Pulitzer Prizes ↗ (opens in new tab)

June

• Michael Jackson dies at age 50 June 25, 2009 — Michael Jackson died of acute propofol intoxication at his Los Angeles home at age 50, one of the most widely mourned entertainment-figure deaths of the era; his physician was later convicted in connection with the death. History.com ↗ (opens in new tab)

July

• Al Franken is sworn in as U.S. senator from Minnesota 2009-07-07 — Al Franken took the oath of office after the contested Minnesota Senate election was resolved, giving the Democratic caucus 60 seats at that time. U.S. Senate ↗ (opens in new tab)

August

• Senate confirms Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court 2009-08-06 — The Senate confirmed Sonia Sotomayor as an Associate Justice by a 68-31 vote; she became the first Latina justice on the Court. U.S. Senate ↗ (opens in new tab)
• Senator Edward Kennedy dies 2009-08-25 — Senator Edward M. Kennedy died on August 25, 2009 after serving Massachusetts in the Senate for more than 46 years. U.S. Senate ↗ (opens in new tab)

October

• Federal hate-crimes protections are expanded 2009-10-28 — Public Law 111-84 included the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, expanding federal hate-crime law to additional protected characteristics. GovInfo / U.S. Government Publishing Office ↗ (opens in new tab)

November

• Yankees win 2009 World Series over Phillies November 4, 2009 — The New York Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies four games to two to win the franchise's 27th World Series title, clinching at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009. Designated hitter Hideki Matsui was named World Series MVP after driving in six runs in the clinching Game 6.

  New York, New York. Championship venue: Yankee Stadium Location ↗ (opens in new tab)

  ESPN ↗ (opens in new tab)

December

• Federal Reserve holds target rate at 0–1/4% 2009-12-16 — The Federal Open Market Committee kept its target for the federal funds rate at 0–1/4 percent. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ↗ (opens in new tab)

Date within this year unknown

• Los Angeles Lakers win the 2009 NBA championship 2009 NBA Finals — Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 4-1 in the NBA Finals to win the 2009 championship. Kobe Bryant was named Finals MVP.

  Annual Sports anchor event for the America Since 2000 timeline. The championship, runner-up, series result, and Finals MVP are sourced from NBA.com history archives.

  Los Angeles, California. Championship team connection; not the location of every Finals game Location ↗ (opens in new tab)

  NBA.com ↗ (opens in new tab) NBA.com ↗ (opens in new tab)
• Pittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII over Cardinals 2009 Super Bowl — The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 to win the franchise's record sixth Super Bowl championship.

  Tampa, Florida. Raymond James Stadium Location ↗ (opens in new tab)

  CBS News ↗ (opens in new tab)