2011 has almost come to an end, and while some stories are still unfolding, there have been many moments to remember, and some we wish we could forget. Here are 5 top stories from 2011 that impacted us and caused a public out-pouring of emotion and interest.

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    Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images
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    Earthquake Rocks Japan


    At 2:46 p.m. local time on March 11 Japan was rocked by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake centered off the coast of Honshu. More than 20,000 people were killed, tens of thousands more were left homeless, and Japan's economy was rocked. Road and rail lines were damaged, water and sewage systems were disrupted and damaged, and electric lines were damaged. Also, several nuclear power stations damaged in the massive earthquake became a concern, including the Fukishima plant, which lost power and overheated. Radiation concerns necessitated an 18-mile evacuation and no-fly zone before the situation was brought under control.

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    Daniel Barry/Stringer/Getty Images
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    Osama Bin Laden Killed


     On May 1, U.S. President Barack Obama decided to send a small U.S. force into a compound where Obama was believed to be hiding in Pakistan. Osama bin Laden was killed in the raid, and after DNA confirmation was buried at sea. Obama announced bin Laden's killing in a televised address.  The mastermind of the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. managed to hide out for almost a decade despite the world's most aggressive global manhunt and a $25 million reward for information leading to his capture or killing.

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    Peter Kramer/Getty Images
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    Ryan Dunn Dead


     It seems demeaning to place celebrity deaths among top headlines of the year, but we don't make the news, we just report it. Such is the world we live in, as the death of "Jackass" star Ryan Dunn was one of the most-shared stories of 2011, according to Facebook. He died in a car crash, while speeding and driving drunk in June.

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    Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
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    Steve Jobs Dies


    Apple co-founder and long-time CEO Steve Jobs died on October 5 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Hailed as one of the greatest innovators ever, Steve Jobs had recently retired as Apple's longtime CEO, after serving two stints in the job, due to his illness. That was also one of the top stories of the year, but in the end, his departure from Apple was nothing compared to his death, which stunned and saddened the world.

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    Mario Tama/Getty Images
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    Penn State Scandal


    Few stories touched a nerve in 2011 more than the Penn State scandal involving former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, charged with abusing young boys sexually. The scandal is still unfolding, and though Sandusky maintains his innocence it has already resulted in the firing of legendary football Joe Paterno. Regardless of how it unfolds in the end, the story speaks volumes to the taboos involving both sexual abuse victims and institutions that think they are bigger than the laws which govern and protect.

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