Person of the Year 2008
Barack Obama
In one of the craziest elections in American history, he overcame a lack of experience, a funny name, two candidates who are political institutions and the racial divide to become the 44th President of the United States.
The Year in Review 2008
Runners-Up
From a Vice Presidential nominee to the $700 billion man, their impact was considerable. View all »
Fond Farewell
TIME's tribute to the people who left us this year and whose legacies won't be forgotten. View all »
People Who Mattered
Their actions in 2008 changed the course of science, culture, politics and history. View all »
Pictures of the Year
In a year of upheaval too dramatic for words, these were photos that said it all. View all »
Six Degrees of Obama
What connects Barack Obama to every one of our previous Persons of the Year?
See Obama’s POY Connections » | See Every Person of the Year Cover »
Talkback
TIME's Person of the Year is the person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or ill, and embodied what was important about the year. We've had our say, now it's your turn:
- Do you agree or disagree with TIME's choice?
- Who should we have chosen?
- Who gets your vote for Person of the Year?
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