WSVN — From a visit by the Holy Father to the race for the White House– we take a look back at some of the highlights from across the nation in 2015. The nightteam’s Craig Stevens has tonight’s 7’s Top 7.
From coast to coast… the nation was rocked by mass shootings. Tragedy one day after Thanksgiving when three people were killed and nine injured after police say Robert Dear opened fire at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado.
One month earlier, college students came under fire in Oregon. Nine people were killed and nine more wounded.
It was judgment day for the Boston Marathon bomber. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was sentenced to death for the Boston bombings that killed three and injured 260 others.
The Supreme Court brought about historic change in 2015. In June, the justices ruled the Constitution guaranteed the right to same-sex marriage.
Jim Obergefell: "Today’s ruling from the Supreme Court affirms what millions across this country already know to be true in their hearts– our love is equal."
The Supreme Court also upheld the controversial health care law known as Obamacare.
President Obama scored another controversial victory in nuclear talks with Iran.
President Obama: "The central challenge that we’re trying to deal with, which is making sure that Iran does not get a nuclear weapon."
The deal was not popular with Republicans.
The president also angered Republicans when he made good on a promise to mend ties with Cuba.
After 54 years, the American Flag is flying again at the U.S. Embassy in Havana.
Some Cuban-Americans living in South Florida did not support the change.
Cuban-American opposer: "It sends a wrong message to all rogue regimes around the world."
Meanwhile Pope Francis who played a key role in re-kindling the relationship between the U.S. and Cuba visited both countries this year.
Pope Francis: "Gracias… thank you to you, Cuban families."
The Holy Father made a three-day stop in Cuba before heading to Washington, D.C. where he spoke directly to U.S. lawmakers.
From there it was on to New York where he held Mass at Ground Zero. His trip ended in the City of Brotherly Love with a huge Mass.
In the year 2015, more than 50 women came forward and accused iconic comedian Bill Cosby of sexually assaulting them.
Cosby has not been charged with a crime and most of the cases will never go to court because the statute of limitations has run out, but several women have filed federal defamation lawsuits.
Cosby has now filed a countersuit against the seven women.
And as 2016 quickly approaches, the race for the White House is taking center stage.
Donald Trump: "People think I’m controversial."
Business mogul and reality TV star Donald Trump is the Republican frontrunner. There are more than a dozen Republican candidates running for president, including retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, Texas senator Ted Cruz, Florida senator Marco Rubio and former Florida governor Jeb Bush.
Meanwhile… Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton was called to testify in Washington about using a private e-mail server while Secretary of State.
Hillary Clinton: "I have said repeatedly, I want those e-mails out, nobody has a bigger interest in getting them released than I do."
The other Democratic hopefuls? Vermont senator Bernie Sanders and former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley. As to just who will have the winning campaign? That answer will come in 2016.
Tomorrow night we take a look back at how race issues have affected the country this year. Craig Stevens, 7News.