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The Year in Revolution

When demonstrations against corruption broke out in the Middle East in January, the world was slow to take note, but the struggle has inspired protesters from Syria to the Ivory Coast to fight for their right to a better future.

The Year in Triumph

From the war room to the wedding hall, 2011’s triumphs were as unexpected as they were monumental.

The Year in Homecoming

Even amid tragedy, miracles happen.

The Year in Spectacle

Even as the world seemed to spin out of control, it served up plenty of opportunities for escape.

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The Year in Mourning

From unexpected passings to indiscriminate mass murder, these deaths were occasions for global grief.

The Year in Crisis

Civil unrest became a fact of life in Western democracies this year—whether peaceful, as has mostly been the case with the Occupy movement, or violent, like London’s riots.

The Year in Scandal

Every year has its scandals, but 2011 could be deemed the year of men behaving badly.

The Year in Fury

Mother Nature gave the world her worst in 2011.

From the Arab Spring to Mother Nature’s wrath, the euro crisis to Occupy Wall Street, 2011 made us realize we are living in a world where upheaval is now normal. Newsweek has compiled some of the year’s best photojournalism in a special stand-alone edition of the magazine as well as in this Web photo gallery. The pictures are not presented chronologically but rather by theme: in chapters titled Revolution, Spectacle, Fury, Scandal, Crisis, Mourning, Triumph, and Homecoming. Recognizing the relationship between different events, we see how President Obama’s frustrated face relates to the London riots—the inextricable link between debt and unemployment. The images themselves are entirely compelling, but the success of any great photograph is its power to make us stop and want to learn more about what we’re seeing. The emotional impact of every one of these pictures varies widely, from the poignant and painterly image of Syrian refugees to the hilariously absurd seating arrangement of a neon-styled Nicki Minaj next to a frosty, pursed-lipped Anna Wintour. These are the photos and stories that mattered, and they come to us from all walks of life. I hope you’ll agree that these are truly remarkable pictures. Enjoy.