1.
Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”…
Sony Music
2.
…and Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance” were the No. 1 songs in the country…and also the No. 1 songs that got everyone running to the dance floor.
3.
Lady Gaga also rocked her iconic bow hair.
Philip Ramey Photography, Llc / Getty Images
6.
…and she also performed on SNL for the first time (in case you forgot, Neil Patrick Harris hosted).
NBC / Getty Images
10.
Joaquin Phoenix said he was quitting acting to pursue a rap career.
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images
12.
Faye Dunaway and Hilary Duff started their feud after Faye reportedly said, “Couldn’t they at least cast a real actress?” upon hearing Hilary would play “Bonnie” in a Bonnie & Clyde remake (a role that Faye immortalized).
Warner Bros., Brad Barket / Getty Images
13.
Jessica Simpson got the internet in a tizzy after wearing these infamous jeans:
Logan Fazio / Getty Images
15.
The Oscar nominations were announced and, as expected, Heath Ledger received a posthumous nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight.
Kevin Winter / Getty Images
17.
The 66th Golden Globes award show aired, and some of the big winners were Slumdog Millionaire for Best Motion-Picture Drama…
Jewel Samad / AFP / Getty Images
18.
…Mad Men for Best Television Series – Drama…
Jason Merritt / Getty Images
19.
…and 30 Rock for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy (Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin also won Best Performances Globes in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy for their performances on the show).
Jason Merritt / Getty Images
20.
Kara DioGuardi made her debut as a judge on the eighth season of American Idol.
Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images
21.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Taken were among the movies released into theaters that month.
Columbia Pictures, 20th Century Fox
23.
And finally, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America.
Mark Wilson / Getty Images