Photos: Google’s top ten trending events of 2012
January 2, 2013
The iconic Princess Cottage, built in 1855, remains standing after being ravaged by flooding on November 21, 2012 in Union Beach, New Jersey. Little more than half of the home remains and more than 200 homes were destroyed by Superstorm Sandy in the town. "Hurricane Sandy" was Google's number one most searched trending event of 2012. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Waves break in front of a destroyed amusement park wrecked by Hurricane Sandy on October 31, 2012 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. At least 50 people were reportedly killed in the U.S. by Sandy with New Jersey suffering massive damage and power outages. "Hurricane Sandy" was Google's number one most searched trending event of 2012. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Residents look over the remains of burned homes in the Rockaways section of New York, October 30, 2012. Hurricane Sandy battered the U.S. East Coast on Monday with fierce winds and driving rain, as the monster storm shut down transportation, shuttered businesses and left hundreds of thousands without power. "Hurricane Sandy" was Google's number one most searched trending event of 2012. REUTERS/Keith Bedford
A woman weeps after learning that a neighbor presumed missing is okay while cleaning out her home in a neighborhood heavily damaged by Hurricane Sandy in the New Dorp Beach neighborhood of the Staten Island borough of New York, November 1, 2012. Deaths in the United States and Canada from Sandy, the massive storm that hit the U.S. East Coast this week, rose to at least 95 on Thursday after the number of victims reported by authorities in New York City jumped and deaths in New Jersey and elsewhere also rose. "Hurricane Sandy" was Google's number one most searched trending event of 2012. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
The extensive damage to an amusement park roller coaster in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy is seen in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, November 13, 2012. Residents of New York and New Jersey were told to prepare for a long recovery from Superstorm Sandy, as thousands of people grappled with cleaning up their properties, the extended lack of electricity and gasoline shortages nine days after the storm. "Hurricane Sandy" was Google's number one most searched trending event of 2012. REUTERS/Tom Mihalek
In this Thursday, July 26, 2012, file photo, Britain's Kate, Duchess of Cambridge attends a reception as she visits Bacon's College in London. "Kate Middleton Pictures Released" ranked as Google's second most searched trending event of 2012. "Kate Middleton" ranked sixth in searches overall. (AP Photo/Chris Jackson, file)
A woman holds a copy of the Swedish celebrity magazine Se & Hor in Stockholm on September 20, 2012, showing Britain's Prince William and a topless Catherine Duchess of Cambridge while on holiday in France on September 5. Swedish celebrity magazine yesterday published pictures of Prince William's wife Catherine sunbathing topless, a day before a Danish publication was to do the same despite fury from the British royals. The publication in Sweden did not make headlines, with only two tabloids mentioning it and the rest of the media ignoring it. "Kate Middleton Pictures Released" ranked as Google's second most searched trending event of 2012. "Kate Middleton" ranked sixth in searches overall. JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/GettyImages
Copies of the Italian magazine Chi are displayed at a newstands in Rome, Monday, Sept. 17, 2012. An Italian gossip magazine owned by former Premier Silvio Berlusconi published a 26-page spread of topless photos of Prince William's wife Kate on Monday despite legal action in France against the French magazine that published them first. Chi hit newsstands on Monday, featuring a montage of photos taken while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were on vacation at a relative's home in the south of France last month. They included the 14 pictures published by the popular French magazine Closer, which like Chi is owned by Berlusconi's Mondadori publishing house. "Kate Middleton Pictures Released" ranked as Google's second most searched trending event of 2012. "Kate Middleton" ranked sixth in searches overall. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
In this Friday, July 27, 2012, file photo, fireworks explode during the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 Summer Olympics, in London. In Google's 12th annual roundup of global trending searches, "Olympics 2012" was ranked at seventh. "Olympics 2012" ranked as Google's third most searched trending event of 2012. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Alex Morgan (13) of the U.S. celebrates with team mate Megan Rapinoe (top) after scoring her second, and the fourth goal for the U.S against France during their women's Group G football match at the London 2012 Olympic Games at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland July 25, 2012. The U.S. beat France 4-2. "Olympics 2012" ranked as Google's third most searched trending event of 2012. REUTERS/David Moir
Geraint Thomas, Steven Burke, Edward Clancy, and Peter Kennaugh of Great Britain post a new world record time during Men's Team Pursuit Track Cycling Qualifying on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Velodrome on August 2, 2012 in London, England. "Olympics 2012" ranked as Google's third most searched trending event of 2012. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Janay Deloach of the United States competes in the Women's Long Jump Final on Day 12 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 8, 2012 in London, England. "Olympics 2012" ranked as Google's third most searched trending event of 2012. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
A blackout landing page is displayed on a laptop computer screen inside the "Anti-Sopa War Room" at the offices of the Wikipedia Foundation in San Francisco, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. January 18 is a date that will live in ignorance, as Wikipedia started a 24-hour blackout of its English-language articles, joining other sites in a protest of pending U.S. legislation aimed at shutting down sites that share pirated movies and other content. The Internet companies are concerned that the Stop Online Piracy Act in the House and the Protect Intellectual Property Act under consideration in the Senate, if passed, could be used to target legitimate sites where users share content. "SOPA Debate" ranked as Google's fourth most searched trending event of 2012. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
People hold blank signs at a protest by the technology organization New York Tech Meetup against proposed laws to curb Internet piracy outside the offices of US Democratic Senators from New York Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand January 18, 2012 on Third Avenue in New York. Schumer and Gillibrand are co-sponsors of the Senate bill PIPA (Protect Intellectual Property Act). SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) is the US House version. "SOPA Debate" ranked as Google's fourth most searched trending event of 2012. STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images
Sunset on January 16, 2012, over the cruise liner Costa Concordia aground in front of the harbour of Isola del Giglio after hitting underwater rocks on January 13. Pier Luigi Foschi, head of the Costa Crociere line, said the company had commissioned several firms to look at the best way to salvage the 114,500-tonne vessel lying on its side. The 290-metre (950-feet) long Costa Crociere, which is 17 decks high, has a large gash in its hull from running on to rocks before it capsized on Friday night. Coastguards said the half-submerged giant ship had now stabilised as weather conditions off the Tuscan coast improved but added that there was still a risk the hulk could slip off a rocky shelf into the open sea and sink entirely. "Costa Concordia crash" ranked as Google's fifth most searched trending event of 2012. FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images
Italian firefighters scuba divers approach the grounded cruise ship Costa Concordia off the Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Friday, Jan. 27, 2012. Costa Crociere SpA offered uninjured passengers Ä11,000 ($14,460) apiece to compensate them for lost baggage and the psychological trauma they suffered after their cruise ship ran aground and capsized off Tuscany. But some passengers are already refusing to accept the deal, saying they can't yet put a figure on the costs of the trauma they endured. Costa announced the offer after negotiations with consumer groups who say they are representing 3,206 passengers from 61 countries who suffered no physical harm when the massive Costa Concordia cruise ship hit a reef on Jan. 13. In addition to the lump-sum indemnity, Costa, a unit of the world's biggest cruise operator, the Miami-based Carnival Corp., also said it would reimburse uninjured passengers the full costs of their cruise, their return travel expenses and any medical expenses they sustained after the grounding. "Costa Concordia crash" ranked as Google's fifth most searched trending event of 2012. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
Firemen look at the emerged side of the cruise liner Costa Concordia on January 17, 2012. The Costa Concordia grounded in front of the harbour of Isola del Giglio after hitting underwater rocks on January 13. Rescuers searched for 29 people still unaccounted for from the wreck of a luxury liner off the coast as the arrested captain faced a hearing with investigators. "Costa Concordia crash" ranked as Google's fifth most searched trending event of 2012. FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images
Cruise ship Costa Concordia lies stricken off the shore of the island of Giglio on January 18, 2012 in Giglio Porto, Italy. The official death toll is now 11, with a further 24 people still missing. The rescue operation was temporarily suspended earlier due to the ship moving as it slowly sinks further into the sea. "Costa Concordia crash" ranked as Google's fifth most searched trending event of 2012. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)
In this Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012 file photo, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama spar during the second presidential debate at Hofstra University, in Hempstead, N.Y. "Presidential Debate" ranked as Google's sixth most searched trending event of 2012. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. President Barack Obama (R) speaks as Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney listens during the Presidential Debate at the University of Denver on October 3, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. The first of four debates for the 2012 Election, three Presidential and one Vice Presidential, is moderated by PBS's Jim Lehrer and focuses on domestic issues: the economy, health care, and the role of government. "Presidential Debate" ranked as Google's sixth most searched trending event of 2012. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
U.S. President Barack Obama (2L) and first lady Michelle Obama (L) stand on stage with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and wife, Ann Romney after the debate at the Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center at Lynn University on October 22, 2012 in Boca Raton, Florida. The focus for the final presidential debate before Election Day on November 6 is foreign policy. "Presidential Debate" ranked as Google's sixth most searched trending event of 2012. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
In this photo provided by Red Bull, Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria is seen before his jump during the first manned test flight for Red Bull Stratos on March 15, 2012 in Roswell, New Mexico. In this test he reach the altitude 21800 meters (71500 ft) and landed safely near Roswell. Red Bull Stratos is a mission to the edge of the earths atmosphere, where upon reaching altitude of 120,000 feet by helium baloon, pilot and basejumper Felix Baumgartner will then freefall to the ground in an attempt to break the speed of sound. "Stratosphere jump" ranked as Google's seventh most searched trending event of 2012. (Photo by Jay Nemeth/Red Bull via Getty Images)
In this handout from Red Bull Stratos, Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria salutes on his way to the capsule before the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos October 9, 2012 in Roswell, New Mexico. on . Baumgartner was to attempt a record setting skydive from 23 miles above the Earth, but the attempt had to be aborted due to gusty winds. "Stratosphere jump" ranked as Google's seventh most searched trending event of 2012. (Photo by Red Bull Stratos via Getty Images)
This Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012 file image provided by Red Bull Stratos shows pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria as he jumps out of the capsule during the final manned flight for Red Bull Stratos. In a giant leap from more than 24 miles up, Baumgartner shattered the sound barrier Sunday while making the highest jump ever Û a tumbling, death-defying plunge from a balloon to a safe landing in the New Mexico desert. "Stratosphere jump" ranked as Google's seventh most searched trending event of 2012. (AP Photo/Red Bull Stratos)
In this Sept. 16, 2006 photo, Penn State coach Joe Paterno watches the college football game against Youngstown State from the side lines in State College, Pa. When Penn State opens its football season on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012, for the first time since 1965, no one with the last name of Paterno will be on the sidelines. Paterno died of cancer in January 2012, just months after losing his job in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal. "Penn State Scandal" ranked as Google's eighth most searched trending event of 2012. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
In this Aug. 6, 1999, file photo, Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, right, poses with his defensive coordinator. Jerry Sandusky, during the college football team's media day in State College, Pa. Former FBI director Louis Freeh, who led a Penn State-funded investigation into the university's handling of molestation allegations against former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, is scheduled to release his highly anticipated report Thursday, July 12, 2012. "Penn State Scandal" ranked as Google's eighth most searched trending event of 2012. (AP Photo/Paul Vathis, File)
In this Oct. 9, 2012 file photo, former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, center, is taken from the Centre County Courthouse by Centre County Sheriff Denny Nau, left, and a deputy, after being sentenced in Bellefonte, Pa. Sandusky was sentenced to at least 30 years in prison, effectively a life sentence, in the child sexual abuse scandal that brought shame to Penn State and led to coach Joe Paterno's downfall. "Penn State Scandal" ranked as Google's eighth most searched trending event of 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
A man, who identified himself as Mohawk Gaz, sports an image of black teenager Trayvon Martin on his hair during a rally to protest his killing in Miami, Florida April 1, 2012. Thousands of protesters gathered in a downtown bayfront park on Sunday demanding the arrest of the neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed an unarmed black teenager, Trayvon Martin, in central Florida a month ago. "Trayvon Martin shooting" ranked as Google's ninth most searched trending event of 2012. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
The parents of Trayvon Martin, Sybrina Fulton, left, and Tracy Martin, sit in the courtroom, Friday, April 20, 2012, during a bond hearing for George Zimmerman in Sanford, Fla. Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester says Zimmerman can be released on $150,000 bail as he awaits trial for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting of Martin. He claims self-defense. "Trayvon Martin shooting" ranked as Google's ninth most searched trending event of 2012. (AP Photo/Orlando Sentinel, Gary W. Green, Pool)
George Zimmerman appears for a bond hearing with his attorney Mark O'Mara (L) at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility April 12, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Zimmerman was charged yesterday with second degree murder in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin who died February 26, 2012. "Trayvon Martin shooting" ranked as Google's ninth most searched trending event of 2012. (Photo by Gary Green/The Orlando Sentinel-Pool/Getty Images)
A police officer guards members of the all-girl punk band "Pussy Riot" (L-R) Yekaterina Samutsevich, Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova sitting in a glass-walled cage in a court in Moscow, on October 10, 2012. Russian appeals court ordered today the release of one member of anti-Vladimir Putin punk band Pussy Riot ,Yekaterina Samutsevich, 30, after giving her a suspended term but ordered two others, Maria Alyokhina, 24, and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, serve two years in a prison camp. "Pussy Riots" ranked as Google's tenth most searched trending event of 2012. NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP/Getty Images
Police detain a supporter of the female punk band "Pussy Riot" members for violation of law and order outside a court building in Moscow, August 17, 2012. Three women from Russian punk band Pussy Riot were sentenced to two years in jail on Friday for their protest against President Vladimir Putin in a church, an outcome supporters described as the Kremlin leader's "personal revenge". "Pussy Riots" ranked as Google's tenth most searched trending event of 2012. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin
New York Police Department officers arrest a woman demonstrating in solidarity with the Russian punk band Pussy Riot in front of the Russian Consulate in New York August 17, 2012. Three women from Russian punk band Pussy Riot were sentenced to two years in jail on Friday for their protest against President Vladimir Putin in a church, an outcome supporters described as the Kremlin leader's "personal revenge." "Pussy Riots" ranked as Google's tenth most searched trending event of 2012. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
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