when barack met will (an ear-o-rama)

Oslo, December 2009

when the stars came out

President Obama meets and celebrates this years Kennedy Center Honorees – Dave Brubeck, Mel Brooks, Grace Bumbry, Robert DeNiro, and Bruce Springsteen – who share their feelings on the experience. December 10, 2009.

TIME photo of the year: Historic Moment

Barack Obama waits backstage moments before taking office as the 44th President of the United States on Jan. 20. Callie Shell / Aurora for TIME

friends in high places

The President and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton confer on Air Force One in April as they head for Strasbourg, France. Callie Shell / Aurora for TIME

"Joe, how about a flag pin instead of a Scranton Eagles badge?"

The President adjusts the Vice President’s flag pin before being introduced at the White House job summit in early December. Callie Shell / Aurora for TIME

"mind those two left feet, buster"

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dance during the 2009 Nobel Banquet in the Hall of Mirrors at the Grand Hotel in Oslo, Norway, Dec. 10, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

the view from the balcony

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wave from a balcony at the Grand Hotel as they greet the Torch Parade in Oslo, Norway, Dec. 10, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)