So Boston.com is running this amazing 3 part set showcasing photography from events that impacted the world in both positive and negative ways. This is seriously some amazing stuff that needs to be seen and shared. Sometimes through schedules the days and hours just fly by and this feature is a really good way to reflect on 08. More pics and full links after the break!

Kerby Brown rides a huge wave in an undisclosed location southwest of Western Australia July 6, 2008, in this picture released November 7, 2008 by the Oakley-Surfing Life Big Wave Awards in Sydney. Picture taken July 6.

A rescue helicopter prepares to hoist aboard surviving Japanese climber Hideaki Nara near the summit of Aoraki Mount Cook in New Zealand on December 5, 2008. A Japanese climber stranded for six days just below the summit had died just hours before rescuers reached him and a compatriot, local media reported. The two Japanese climbers were forced to huddle in a tent 50 meters below the 3,754-meter (12,349 feet) peak, as poor weather and high winds foiled attempts to rescue the men by helicopter.

Time exposure of the Swiss mountain resort of Grindelwald next to the north face of the Eiger mountain, seen on January 10, 2008.

The hand of a dead body lies on the ground amongst the rubble of the earthquake ravaged town May 15, 2008 in Beichuan, Sichuan province, China.

A polar bear shakes his body to remove water at the St-Felicien Wildlife Zoo in St-Felicien, Quebec on March 6, 2008.

Part 1
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/12/the_year_2008_in_photographs_p.html

Part 2
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/12/2008_in_photographs_part_2_of.html