By MELISSA WALKER

Staff Writer

Political landmarks, scandal, breakthroughs and goodbyes made up 2004.

It was a year worth remembering.

Dr. Jason Pigg, a professor of social sciences, believes the presidential election was the huge event of 2004.

"It was the most polarizing election since 1968," Pigg said. "The election was much more heated than 2000."

Pigg said the controversial issues and candidates contributed to the considerably higher voter turnout.

Pigg said the election affedcted more than the executive branch of government.

"2004 was a year of huge success for the Republicans," Pigg said.

"Their party made huge leaps in the House [of Representatives] and the Senate. The election solidified their power in national government."

Another hot topic in 2004, Pigg said, was the U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"The Bush Administration underestimated the amount of opposition in Iraq," Pigg said.

Pigg said other events in the Middle East caught headlines last year.

"The prison abuse scandals and accusations of torture served as a source of embarrassment for the United States," Pigg said. "It undermined the United States' efforts in the Middle East."

According to articles at NewYorkMetro.com, lighter content controversies such as the Paris Hilton sex tape, the series finales of TV shows "Sex and the City" and "Friends", and Britney Spears' first and second marriages also made headlines.

Another scandal caught the attention of Chris Eastin, a junior management major.

"Seeing Martha Stewart sentenced to prison last year was shocking," Eastin said. "It was awesome because a celebrity finally got what [she] deserved."

Amanda Leone, a senior marketing major, said she was impressed by other events during 2004.

Ken Jennings, Leone said, contributed to Jeopardy's ratings by winning over $2 million in a record-setting number of appearances.

Leone also said William Hung, an "American Idol" reject, showed America that having a surplus of talent is not everything when it comes to selling albums.

Leone said a more serious situation also caught America's attention.

"I think Saddam's capture [in late 2003] was a morale booster for 2004," Leone said. "It was a good thing for American troops to know they weren't over there [in Iraq] for nothing."

2004 was also a year to bid farewell to Ronald Regan, Christopher Reeve, Johnny Cash and other legends.

Despite the highlights, Leone said, she was grateful it was just another year.

"I would rather have a 'just okay' year than a bad one."