Class of 2009: A timeline of history

Here are some of the events and memories that were the backdrop for the Class of 2009's school years:

Kindergarten , 1996-1997: Bill Clinton is re-elected. "Titanic" becomes one of the biggest box office draws of all time and wins the Oscar for Best Picture. Tiger Woods wins his first Masters. "Seinfeld" and "E.R." were the country's top-rated TV shows. The Spice Girls have their 15 minutes of fame, and the Backstreet Boys have one of their biggest hits with "As Long As You Love Me."

First grade, 1997-1998: President Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky dominate the headlines as reports of a sexual relationship emerge. Mark McGwire sets new home run record.

Second Grade, 1998-1999: John F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife are killed in private plane accident. Harry Potter created a reading sensation, Lauryn Hill and Puff Daddy led hip-hop music to new popularity and the U.S. women's soccer team won the World Cup.

Third Grade, 1999-2000: Y2K fears give way to worldwide celebration of the new millennium. Napster caused a music revolution with a whole new way for playing and sharing music.

Fourth Grade, 2000-2001: George W. Bush elected as the nation's 43rd president in a historic cliff-hanger that taught us all about "chads" and reminded us that every vote counts.

Fifth Grade, 2001-2002: Sept. 11 tragedy and invasion of Afghanistan grip the nation; the Ozzy Osborne clan redefined the family sitcom.

Sixth grade, 2002-2003: Space shuttle Columbia explodes, killing 7 astronauts a month before the United States invades Iraq.

Seventh Grade, 2003-2004: Saddam Hussein is captured by U.S. troops in December. A scandal rocks the Super Bowl after a wardrobe malfunction exposes too much of Janet Jackson.

Eighth year, 2004-2005: Democrat John Kerry loses a close election to Republican President Bush. Benedict XVI becomes pope after the death of Pope John Paul II. A deadly tsunami kills thousands in southeast Asia.

Freshman year, 2005-2006: Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans and other areas along the Gulf Coast, while Hurricane Rita hits other areas in the Gulf. Mariah Carey's big comeback makes the "Empancipation of Mimi" the top album of the year and "We Belong Together" the most played song.

Sophomore year, 2006-2007: Democrats regain control of Congress making Nancy Pelosi the first female speaker of the House. Marshall University and West Virginia University renew their football rivalry with WVU taking the first win. "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" and "Spider-Man 3" broke box office records. Timbaland and Justin Timberlake heated up the charts by bringing "SexyBack."

Junior year, 2007-2008: John McCain secures the Republican nomination and Sen. Barack Obama secured the Democratic nomination for president. "Spider-Man 3" dominated the 2007 box office, while "Iron Man" kicked off the summer of 2008 box office. Television was dominated by "American Idol" and "Dancing with the Stars." The nation's iPods were filled with Fergie, T-Pain, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry and the infectious "Umbrella" by Rhianna.

Senior year, 2008-2009: Sen. Barack Obama becomes the first black president in U.S. history. A worldwide recession caused massive layoffs and talk of a second Great Depression. "The Dark Knight" the top movie of 2008 with more than $500 million in grosses. It went on to win an Oscar for the late Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker. Songs by Coldplay, Lady GaGa, Jamie Foxx, Flo Rida, Miley Cyrus and a revived Black Eyed Peas filled the charts.

Source: infoplease.com, boxofficemojo.com, billboard.com