2016 was not without drama, from a contentious presidential campaign, to continued protests against police brutality and deaths of beloved icons like Prince and David Bowie.
But there were plenty of lighter moments as well, including modern construction marvels, proactive art and costumed crusaders.
Here are some images that defined the past year in New York City.
Oculus Opens
A worker walks through the World Trade Center Oculus a few days before it opens to the public on March 3.
Worth Street Crane Collapse
A witness said that the operator was lowering its load in strong winds when the crane collapsed in TriBeCa, killing one person and injuring three others on Feb. 5.
Blizzard Selfie
A man poses with a selfie stick on Roosevelt Avenue in Woodside during the year's first big snowstorm on Jan. 23.
Stumping
On April 8, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks to a crowd of supporters at Industry City in Brooklyn ahead of the New York State Democratic primary.
Peter Liang Sentencing
Akai Gurley's family mourns after ex-NYPD officer Peter Liang receives no jail time after a jury convicted him of manslaughter on April 19.
Remembering Prince
Hundreds of people packed onto South Elliot Place in Fort Greene on April 22 for a block party held by Spike Lee to honor the life of Prince after his death the previous day.
Lpocalypse
MTA officials showed off Hurricane Sandy-damaged equipment during a community meeting in Williamsburg on May 5 ahead of the planned L train tunnel shutdown.
Corruption Trial Casual
Correction Officers Benevolent Association President Norman Seabrook, sporting flip-flops, smiles as he gets leaves court on June 8 after being arraigned on federal corruption and fraud charges.
Dangerous Conditions
A construction company was held criminally responsible for a worker’s death this year for the first time, a landmark move for workers' rights. On June 10, after Harco Construction was found guilty in the death of 22-year-old Carlos Moncayo, workers’ rights advocates presented Moncayo’s crying mother with a hardhat to honor her late son, and promised her that they would continue to fight for justice in his name.
Black Lives Matter Demonstration
Black Lives Matter demonstrators marched from Union Square to Brooklyn on July 8 to protest a spate of police-involved shootings across the country.
Troy Ave Bails Out
Rapper Troy Ave leaves court on July 11 after making $500,000 bail. He was jailed on charges stemming from a deadly May 25 shooting at Irving Plaza.
Epidemic
A person was slumped over on the sidewalk after mass K2 overdose in Bedford-Stuyvesant on July 12.
Artifact
In 1983 or 1984, legendary graffiti artist Keith Haring painted a mural that winds through three floors of the Grace House, a rental building owned by the Church of the Ascension parish in Morningside Heights (photographed on Aug. 1).
The church sent an eviction notice to tenants, worrying art advocates the mural might be destroyed during building renovations.
Social Climber
An NYPD Emergency Services Unit officer speaks with a man who was using suction cups to climb the side of Trump Tower on Wednesday, Aug. 10
Eye of the Beholder
A naked Donald Trump sculpture drew a crowd to Union Square Park after mysteriously appearing in the morning on Aug. 18.
Last Stand
NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton speaks with reporters after an off-duty detective shot a knife-wielding man after he slashed the officer’s face Near Penn Station on Sept. 15. It was Bratton’s last full day on the job before he retired to join the private sector.
Chelsea Bombing
An explosion went off on West 23rd Street and Sixth Avenue on Sept. 17. A second bomb was found four blocks away on west 27th Street but did not go off. The suspect was later captured by police in New Jersey.
Femme Fatale
A cosplayer dressed as Catwoman at New York Comic Con on Oct. 8.
Fire Damage
Personal belongings were strewn across the sidewalk after a fire on Third Avenue in the Upper East Side on Oct. 20.
The Day After
A father was arrested after thousands of people took to the streets following the election of Donald Trump, Nov. 9.
Fallen Hero
NYPD Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo was laid to rest in Long Island after being killed in a Bronx shootout on Nov. 10.
Symbols
Protests against Trump continued as people marched through Times Square on Nov. 10.
Oprah's World
Oprah Winfrey shot a piece for her magazine at the famed Goodfella's Diner in Maspeth, Queens on Dec. 11.
Murder Case
James Rackover walks into court on Dec. 13 before pleading not guilty after being indicted on charges he helped bury the body of Joseph Comunale after a party at Rackover's Upper East Side apartment.
