The year had its share of big news: history in the Oval Office, a global pandemic, wild weather, and international crises all competed for Canadians' attention.

A flu like no other, the ongoing scare of H1N1 topped the list of the most searched stories of 2009. From the fear and paranoia it generated to the controversial vaccinations, swine flu's reach was global. It's a story that is far from over and will keep us watching well into the new year.

Conflict overseas continued to affect us at home: from the conflict in Afghanistan to the civil war in Sri Lanka, Canadians searched for the latest updates to faraway disputes. We followed America's gaze into the emerging nuclear power of Iran and watched closely as the fraud-tainted presidential election sparked angry protests, political arrests and media censorship.

The year was also full of memorable characters. The first black president sworn into the Oval Office, and the Obama family achieving celebrity status -- no doubt why both the President and First Lady made our list of top searched people in 2009. And perhaps Obama's loudest critic, Sarah Palin, landed in the top five for her outspoken views, wacky family drama and passion for the political spotlight.

However, the top searched person on our list was a little girl from small-town Ontario, whose tragic abduction and murder gripped Canadians from coast to coast. The nation held its breath for Victoria Stafford and her parents for over three months, and mourned with the family as news broke of her murder.

On the political side of things, who doesn't love a little homegrown controversy? Toronto MP Ruby Dhalla rounded out our list, shrouded by political scandal after scathing claims of mistreatment and abuse from her Filipina caregivers.

It's impossible to predict what will fascinate Canadians in 2010, but with the Olympics coming in just a few months, there's certainly much to look forward to in the new year.