The Year in Political Photos

A look back on 2013 in pictures.

Oh, What a Year! - President Obama is filled with mirth here, but 2013 was a year of highs and unprecedented lows — from his second inauguration to events that shook the nation. Take a look back. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick)

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Oh, What a Year! - President Obama is filled with mirth here, but 2013 was a year of highs and unprecedented lows — from his second inauguration to events that shook the nation. Take a look back. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick)

A Day to Remember - Tens of thousands gather at the U.S. Capitol to witness Obama's second swearing-in.    (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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A Day to Remember - Tens of thousands gather at the U.S. Capitol to witness Obama's second swearing-in.  (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Taking in the Moment - Jan. 21, 2013 was a bittersweet day for the president as he was sworn in as commander-in-chief for the second and final time. Before he left the stage, he paused to appreciate the tens of thousands of joyful supporters who'd traveled across the nation to witness the historic event. “I want to look out one more time because I'm not going to see this again," a wistful Obama said.

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Savoring the Moment - Obama waves to the crowd after delivering his second and final inauguration address. (Photo: Scott Andrews-Pool/Getty Images)

What Was on Boehner's Mind? - House Speaker John Boehner declines to join in as congressional leaders applaud Obama after the president signs a proclamation to commemorate the inauguration, entitled a National Day of Hope and Resolve.   (Photo: Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images)

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What Was on Boehner's Mind? - House Speaker John Boehner declines to join in as congressional leaders applaud Obama after the president signs a proclamation to commemorate the inauguration, entitled a National Day of Hope and Resolve.   (Photo: Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images)

This Girl Is Mine - Obama bows to First Lady Michelle Obama before they dance during the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball after being sworn in for his second term of office.   (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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This Girl Is Mine - Obama bows to First Lady Michelle Obama before they dance during the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball after being sworn in for his second term of office. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Gulp - Florida Sen. Marco Rubio takes a sip of water while delivering the Republican response to Obama's State of the Union address.    (Photo: ABC News)

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Gulp - Florida Sen. Marco Rubio takes a sip of water while delivering the Republican response to Obama's State of the Union address.  (Photo: ABC News)

Laughter Is the Best Medicine - Obama gets a good laugh at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.  (Photo: Pete Marovich-Pool/Getty Images)

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Laughter Is the Best Medicine - Obama gets a good laugh at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. (Photo: Pete Marovich-Pool/Getty Images)

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Hillary Clinton on Benghazi - A frustrated Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the deadly attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya. (Photo: AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Let It Rain - U.S. Marines shield Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan at a joint press conference in the White House Rose Garden.   (Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

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Let It Rain - U.S. Marines shield Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan at a joint press conference in the White House Rose Garden.  (Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Welcome to Washington - Vice President Joe Biden administers the oath of office to newly elected New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker.  (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Welcome to Washington - Vice President Joe Biden administers the oath of office to newly elected New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

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Hold On - Obama comforts family members during a memorial service for the victims of the Washington Navy Yard shooting. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Never Forget - The Obama family shares a poignant moment during their tour of former South African President Nelson Mandela's cell at  Robben Island Prison.(Photo: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 

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Never Forget - The Obama family shares a poignant moment during their tour of former South African President Nelson Mandela's cell at  Robben Island Prison.(Photo: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 

Photo By Photo: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

Bienvenue - Obama is welcomed by a Senegalese honor guard as he arrives at the presidential palace in Dakar, Senegal, the first stop in a week-long trip to Africa.  (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Bienvenue - Obama is welcomed by a Senegalese honor guard as he arrives at the presidential palace in Dakar, Senegal, the first stop in a week-long trip to Africa. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

No Spying - Members of CodePink protest as the director of the National Security Agency, Gen. Keith Alexander, prepares to testify at a Senate hearing on his agency's controversial surveillance program.   (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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No Spying - Members of CodePink protest as the director of the National Security Agency, Gen. Keith Alexander, prepares to testify at a Senate hearing on his agency's controversial surveillance program.  (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Double Trouble - For the second time in two months, a major law firm has decided that working on the House's lawsuit against Obama is a bad idea. "As I predicted in the Rules Committee when Speaker Boehner proposed this political stunt to quiet the extremist end of his caucus, House Republicans cannot find any credible lawyers willing to take up their lawsuit against President Obama, even for $500 an hour," said Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Florida). "That two firms have already quit on them in a town as partisan and divided as Washington tells you how little merit there is in this whole debacle." (Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

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Empty Chair - Obama sits with House Speaker John Boehner during a memorial service for former Speaker Tom Foley in the Capitol. (Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

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The Government Is Closed - This sign reading "Because of the Federal Government SHUTDOWN All National Parks are Closed" popped up at tourist sites across the nation on Oct. 1. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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The Government Is Closed - This sign reading "Because of the Federal Government SHUTDOWN All National Parks are Closed" popped up at tourist sites across the nation on Oct. 1. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

No Respect - Michael Ashmore of Hooks, Texas, protests the government shutdown in front of the White House holding the Marine Corps flag in one hand and a Confederate flag in the other.   (Photo: REUTERS/Joshua Roberts)

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No Respect - Michael Ashmore of Hooks, Texas, protests the government shutdown in front of the White House holding the Marine Corps flag in one hand and a Confederate flag in the other. (Photo: REUTERS/Joshua Roberts)

Home Alone - The Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, normally teeming with tourists, was starkly empty during the government shutdown. (Photo: REUTERS/Joshua Roberts)

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Home Alone - The Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, normally teeming with tourists, was starkly empty during the government shutdown. (Photo: REUTERS/Joshua Roberts)

Awkward - Obama meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the G8 Summit in Northern Ireland.   (Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

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Awkward - Obama meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the G8 Summit in Northern Ireland. (Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

No War on Syria - Anti-war demonstrators protest in front of the White House before Obama addresses the nation on Syria.    (Photo: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

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No War on Syria - Anti-war demonstrators protest in front of the White House before Obama addresses the nation on Syria.   (Photo: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

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Love That 'Fro - Dante de Blasio's retro hairstyle became a symbol of his father's mayoral campaign.  (Photo: NYForDeBlasio via YouTube) 

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Love That 'Fro - Dante de Blasio's retro hairstyle became a symbol of his father's mayoral campaign. (Photo: NYForDeBlasio via YouTube) 

An Historic Moment - The de Blasio family basks in victory after Bill de Blasio wins his bid to succeed New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, marking the first time a Democrat has captured City Hall in two decades.   (Photo: REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

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An Historic Moment - The de Blasio family basks in victory after Bill de Blasio wins his bid to succeed New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, marking the first time a Democrat has captured City Hall in two decades.   (Photo: REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

Pumped (for 2016?) - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie revels in his victory over Democratic opponent Barbara Buono. The win will help pave the way for a presidential bid. (Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

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Pumped (for 2016?) - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie revels in his victory over Democratic opponent Barbara Buono. The win will help pave the way for a presidential bid. (Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images

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Justice for Trayvon - In protests across the nation, angry Americans expressed their anger and disappointment about the George Zimmerman verdict.(Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

Obama Remembers Trayvon - Obama delivers a surprisingly personal speech in response to the George Zimmerman verdict.   (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Obama Remembers Trayvon - Obama delivers a surprisingly personal speech in response to the George Zimmerman verdict. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

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Seeking Answers - Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, weeps during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the impact of Stand Your Ground laws.  (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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Seeking Answers - Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, weeps during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the impact of Stand Your Ground laws.  (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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Living the Dream - Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton wave to the crowd during the ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

We Shall Overcome - Tens of thousands of people turned out to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic "I Have a Dream" speech.  (Photo:  Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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We Shall Overcome - Tens of thousands of people turned out to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic "I Have a Dream" speech.  (Photo:  Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo:  Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Stood Her Ground - Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis achieved national acclaim after speaking from her chamber's floor for 13 hours, which helped defeat a controversial abortion bill.     (Photo: Erich Schlegel/Getty Images)

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Stood Her Ground - Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis achieved national acclaim after speaking from her chamber's floor for 13 hours, which helped defeat a controversial abortion bill.    (Photo: Erich Schlegel/Getty Images)

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A Bad Start - On the first day of the Affordable Care Act roll-out, consumers seeking enrollment information frequently encountered Internet traffic jams.  (Photo: KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo By KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images

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Oh, What a Day - Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius speaks with White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough after Obama delivers speech on the problematic roll-out of the health care law.  (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Oh, What a Day - Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius speaks with White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough after Obama delivers speech on the problematic roll-out of the health care law. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

A Capitol Grilling - Senior Vice President of CGI Federal Cheryl Campbell, Group Executive Vice President for Optum/QSSI Andrew Slavitt, corporate counsel for Equifax Workforce Solutions Lynn Spellecy, and program director for Serco John Lau are sworn in during a hearing on the problematic implementation of the Affordable Care Act.   (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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A Capitol Grilling - Senior Vice President of CGI Federal Cheryl Campbell, Group Executive Vice President for Optum/QSSI Andrew Slavitt, corporate counsel for Equifax Workforce Solutions Lynn Spellecy, and program director for Serco John Lau are sworn in during a hearing on the problematic implementation of the Affordable Care Act. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Bush's Big Day - Obama and former President George W. Bush in a rare meeting at the opening ceremony of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.  (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Bush's Big Day - Obama and former President George W. Bush in a rare meeting at the opening ceremony of the George W. Bush Presidential Center. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

The Presidents Club - Former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Obama pose at the opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.   (Photo: Paul Morse/George W. Bush Presidential Center via Getty Images)

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The Presidents Club - Former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Obama pose at the opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.   (Photo: Paul Morse/George W. Bush Presidential Center via Getty Images)

A Texas Celebration - Fireworks lit up the sky following the opening ceremony of the George W. Bush Presidential Library, which is the 13th presidential library in the National Archives and Records Administration system.   (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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A Texas Celebration - Fireworks lit up the sky following the opening ceremony of the George W. Bush Presidential Library, which is the 13th presidential library in the National Archives and Records Administration system. (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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Another Mournful Day - The president and first lady board Air Force One to travel to Boston to mourn victims of the deadly marathon attacks. (Photo: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

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Another Mournful Day - The president and first lady board Air Force One to travel to Boston to mourn victims of the deadly marathon attacks. (Photo: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

Healer-in-Chief - A saddened Obama pauses while speaking at an interfaith prayer service for victims of the Boston Marathon.    (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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Healer-in-Chief - A saddened Obama pauses while speaking at an interfaith prayer service for victims of the Boston Marathon.   (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Frenemies - Obama meets with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in the Oval Office  to discuss the continued transition in Afghanistan.  (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Frenemies - Obama meets with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in the Oval Office  to discuss the continued transition in Afghanistan. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Moral Mondays - Hundreds of people risked their freedom in 2013 to protest policies by North Carolina's Republican-led state legislature, which they decried as discriminatory.   (Photo: AP Photo/The News & Observer, Travis Long)

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Moral Mondays - Hundreds of people risked their freedom in 2013 to protest policies by North Carolina's Republican-led state legislature, which they decried as discriminatory.  (Photo: AP Photo/The News & Observer, Travis Long)

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A Sad Day for Voting Rights - Civil rights luminaries Reps. John Lewis and John Conyers join other members of the House to respond to the Supreme Court decision that invalidated Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act. (Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

Photo By Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo/ J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo

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Love the One You Love - A couple celebrates at City Hall in San Francisco after hearing news of the U.S. Supreme Court striking down the Defense of Marriage Act.   (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Love the One You Love - A couple celebrates at City Hall in San Francisco after hearing news of the U.S. Supreme Court striking down the Defense of Marriage Act.   (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Diplomatic Immunity - Obama greets Cuban President Raul Castro before giving his speech at the memorial service for late South African President Nelson Mandela despite their two nations' more than half-century-old rift, which angered Cuban-American lawmakers in the U.S. (Photo: REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach)

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Diplomatic Immunity - Obama greets Cuban President Raul Castro before giving his speech at the memorial service for late South African President Nelson Mandela despite their two nations' more than half-century-old rift, which angered Cuban-American lawmakers in the U.S. (Photo: REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach)

Immigration Reform - Throughout the year, activists and undocumented immigrants pleaded for comprehensive immigration reform to keep families together.(Photo: John Moore/Getty Images)

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Immigration Reform - Throughout the year, activists and undocumented immigrants pleaded for comprehensive immigration reform to keep families together.(Photo: John Moore/Getty Images)

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You Had to Be There - British Prime Minister David Cameron, Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt and Obama take a selfie at the memorial service for the late South African President Nelson Mandela.