A Breakthrough Year for Same-Sex Marriage: In 2013, the Supreme Court and several states weigh in on same-sex marriage. With more states legalizing same-sex marriage and two key Supreme Court rulings, 2013 was a breakthrough year for gay marriage in the United States. While other countries like Franceand Russiafaced fierce protests over gay marriage laws in 2013, a shift in public opinion happened in the United States. According to a July 2013 Gallup Poll, 52% of Americans would support a law that would legalize same-sex marriage in all 50 states. ABC News had similar results with their poll when 55% of Americans said they support same-sex couples' right to tie the knot. A 2013 Quinnipiac University poll found that 54% of American Catholics supported same-sex marriage. Even the newly crowned Pope Francisspoke up for the LGBT community in 2013. In a September interview published in international Jesuit journals, he said, "A person once asked me, in a provocative manner, if I approved of homosexuality. I replied with another question: 'Tell me: When God looks at a gay person, does he endorse the existence of this person with love, or reject and condemn this person?' We must always consider the person." Policy Shift for Republicans On February 27, 2013, several Republicans backed a legal brief asking the Supreme Court to rule that same-sex marriage was a constitutional right. It was a policy shift for many party members. More than 100 Republicans were listed on the brief, including former New HampshireCongressman Charles Bass and Beth Myers, a key adviser to Mitt Romneyduring his 2012 presidential campaign. The brief was filed as the U.S. Supreme Court prepared to consider overturning Proposition 8, the Californiainitiative banning same-sex marriage, as well as overturning the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law passed during Bill Clinton's presidency, which defined marriage as between a man and a woman. On March 26, 2013, the Supreme Court began two days of historical debate over gay marriage. Their decision would be announced in June 2013. The Supreme Court Weighs In On June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was unconstitutional. In a 5 to 4 vote, the court ruled that DOMA violated the rights of gays and lesbians. The court also ruled that the law interfered with the states' rights to define marriage. It was the first case ever on the issue of gay marriage for the Supreme Court. Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. voted against striking it down as did Antonin Scalia, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas. However, conservative-leaning Justice Anthony M. Kennedy voted with his liberal colleagues to overturn DOMA. On the same day, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage opponents in California did not have standing to appeal the lower court ruling that overturned the state's ban, known as Proposition 8. This ruling would most likely remove legal battles for same-sex couples wishing to marry in California. However, the ruling did not directly affect other states. More States Begin Issuing Same-Sex Marriage Licenses During May 2013, Rhode Island, Delawareand Minnesotalegalized Same-Sex Marriage. On May 2, after same-sex marriage legislation passed in both houses of Rhode Island's legislature, Governor Lincoln Chafee signed the new law. Less than a week later, Governor Jack Markell signed the Civil Marriage Equality and Religious Freedom act, legalizing same-sex marriage for the state of Delaware. On May 13, 2013, in Minnesota, the State Senate voted 37 to 30 in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, a week after the House voted in favor of the new law. Governor Mark Dayton, a supporter of same-sex marriage, signed the bill the following afternoon. In August 2013, Minnesota and Rhode Island began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. To see a list of all the states that have legalized same-sex marriage, go here. With public opinion shifting and so many breakthroughs in 2013, other states seemed poised to join that list. For example, as the summer of 2013 ended, several counties in New Mexicobegan issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

The 2013 Boston Marathon Tragedy: Three people were killed and hundreds injured after multiple bombs exploded during the Boston Marathon. On Monday, April 15, 2013, multiple bombs exploded during the Boston Marathon. The bombs went off at 2:50 in the afternoon as runners finished the race. At least three people were killed. One was an eight year old boy. More than 170 people were injured. The first explosion happened on Boylston Street close to the finish line. The second blast came about ten seconds later, 50 to 100 yards away. Another explosion happened during the afternoon at the JFK Library, but officials soon confirmed that incident was not connected. A U.S. government official said that neither the Boston police nor the FBI received any threats of an attack leading up to the marathon. Parents of the 2012 Newtown, Conn., shooting victims were in attendance near the finish line, sitting in the VIP section of the bleachers, but none of them were injured. President Obamasaid from the White House briefing room, "We still do not know who did this or why, and people shouldn't jump to conclusions before we have all the facts, but make no mistake: We will get to the bottom of this. Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice." The Search for Suspects On April 18, 2013, three days after the marathon bombing, the FBI released photos and video of two suspects in the hope that the public could help identify them. "Somebody out there knows these individuals as friends, neighbors, co-workers, or family members. Though it may be difficult, the nation is counting on those with information to come forward and provide it to us," said FBI special agent Richard DesLauriers upon the release of the photos and video. On the same day the images were released, President Obama spoke at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston's South End. After the service, both the president and First lady Michelle Obamavisited those injured in the explosions who were still recovering in the various hospitals throughout Boston. Boston Lockdown Just hours after the FBI released the images, the two suspects robbed a gas station in Central Square then shot and killed a MIT police officer in his car. Afterwards, the two men carjacked a SUV and told the driver that they had set off the explosions at the marathon. Police pursued the vehicle into Watertown. During the shootout, a MBTA officer was shot and one of the suspects, identified as Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was killed. A suicide vest was found on his body. The other suspect, Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, age 19, remained at large for several hours, causing a massive manhunt and lockdown for all of Boston, Cambridge, and many other surrounding communities. The manhunt continued throughout Friday, April 19, 2013, until he was found alive, but seriously injured, hiding in a boat behind a house in Watertown. The two suspects were brothers and had been living together on Norfolk Street in Cambridge. They had lived in the U.S. for about a decade, but were from an area near Chechnya, a region in Russia. More Arrests Made On May 1, 2013, three additional arrests were made in connection to the Boston Marathon bombing. Dias Kadyrbayev and Azamat Tazhayakov were arrested and charged with concealing evidence during a federal investigation. Robel K. Phillipos was charged with lying to impede the federal investigation. All three were close friends with Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. If found guilty, Kadyrbayev and Tazhayakov could receive five years in prison. Phillipos could receive eight years. On July 10, 2013, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev made his first public court appearance in Boston. His arraignment was for 30 charges, including four murder charges as well as using and conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction. He pled not guilty to all charges. Tsarnaev could face the death penalty if convicted. In August 2013,Rolling Stonemagazine put Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on its cover with the headline, "The Bomber: How a Popular, Promising Student was Failed by His Family, Fell Into Radical Islam and Became a Monster." The cover story was controversial. Retailers, such as CVS Pharmacy, refused to sell the issue. BJ's Wholesale Club went one step further and announced that it would not sell any future issues of the magazine as well.

The Trials of Bradley Manning: After being sentenced to 35 years in prison, Manning makes a statement. On August 21, 2013, Private First Class Bradley Manningwas sentenced to 35 years in prison for leaking over 700,000 U.S. government files to WikiLeaks, files containing classified U.S. military activities in Iraqand Afghanistan. It was the longest sentence ever given in the U.S. involving leaked government data to the public. He also received a reduction in rank, a dishonorable discharge and would no longer receive any pay or allowances from the U.S. military. The charges against him included stealing government property, multiple counts of disobeying orders, violating the Espionage Act as well as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Manning, age 25, could be up for parole in seven years. Manning would serve his sentence in the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth. Immediately after the verdict, Reporters Without Borders, a non-profit organization based inFrance , condemned ...administration has been waging an unprecedented offensive that has ignored the public interest in their revelations. It also threatens the future of investigative journalism, which risks finding its sources drying up," Reporters Without Borders said. The day after the sentencing, Manning announced that he was female and wanted to be referred to from now on as Chelsea. The announcement was made during an appearance on the Today show by David E. Coombs, Manning's defense lawyer. Coombs made the announcement by reading Manning's written statement. In the statement, Manning wrote: "As I transition into this next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me. I am Chelsea Manning. I am a female. Given the way that I feel, and have felt since childhood, I want to begin hormone therapy as soon as possible. I hope that you will support me in this transition. I also request that, starting today, you refer to me by my new name and use the feminine pronoun." In the days following, Coombs remained optimistic and told theNew York Timesthat he hoped the military prison officials would voluntarily provide hormone treatment without a court order. However, under U.S. military policy, it may be impossible for Manning to begin transitioning while in military prison. In response to Manning's statement, Kimberly Lewis, a spokesperson for the Fort Leavenworth all-male military prison, said, "The Army does not provide hormone therapy or sex-reassignment surgery for gender identity disorder."

Vacated Michigan Central Station, 2009 Photo Credit: Albert Duce Detroit Hustles Harder sticker Detroit Down, but Not Out In 2013, Detroit files for bankruptcy and fires up its residents. On July 18, 2013, Detroitbecame the nation's largest public sector bankruptcy. Before the motor city filed, just over 60 cities, counties, towns and villages had filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 9, the procedure used by municipalities in courts since the mid-1950s. Detroit's bankruptcy filing came with the approval of MichiganGovernor Rick Snyder. In a press conference the following day, Snyder said, "Now's our opportunity to stop 60 years of decline. How long had this been going on and people were kicking the can down the road and not doing something? We're doing something." The bankruptcy was filed by Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr whose job it is to find a way to resolve Detroit's financial situation, which includes an estimated $18 million in total outstanding liabilities. Orr was appointed emergency financial manager by Gov. Snyder, an appointment opposed by Detroit residents in a November 2012 referendum. In the press conference with Snyder, Orr said that Detroit needs to cut its debt to restore services. "Does anybody think it's OK to have 40-year-old trees growing through the roofs of dilapidated houses," he said. Part of Orr's plan, to reorganize the city and cut the debt down to $2 billion, would mean that retirees, bond holders and investors would receive only 17% of what they are owed. Lights Out in Motor City Once the country's fourth-largest city and the world's automobile capital, Detroit has gone from a city of 1.8 million in 1950 to 700,000 people in 2013. Tens of thousands of buildings, including the historic Michigan Central Station, have been abandoned and lots vacated. Streets have gone unlit. Detroit residents got fired up about the bankruptcy filing, which meant pension cuts for city workers and bonds worth only pennies on the dollar. A bankruptcy filing also put the city's assets at risk, including the hockey arena and city zoo, which could be sold off. Detroiters Get Fired Up The Detroit Fire Fighters Association released a group statement that said it was "very disappointed" over the city's bankruptcy filing. The group added, "We are working with other Detroit employees to form a unified coalition to address the financial concerns of Detroit. Fire Fighters will continue to protect and serve during this difficult time, regardless of the economic challenges." Detroit resident Katherine Mingle wasn't surprised when the city filed for bankruptcy. "Since Rick Snyder was elected, he has implemented a number of policies that seem to center on the financial solvency of Michigan. Passing laws like the Right to Work legislation are particularly offensive to me as someone who takes pride in the accomplishments of the labor movement. As an educator, I have taught social studies to kids with an earnest love for the American ideals of democracy and civic involvement. It becomes really hard to instill those values when our elected officials in city government are being usurped by emergency managers." Mingle added that the media's handling of the bankruptcy filing didn't help. "Worst of all, it is another story for the national media to exploit what is seen as the decay of this great city. It's rare these days to find the media reporting on the positive things going on here," she said. Detroit Hustles Harder In fact, the bankruptcy and situation in Detroit presents a unique opportunity for the city to reinvent itself. As Mingle explains, "There is a lot going on here in terms of community organization, development, arts and culture. And it is fueled by the masses of young people moving to the city for cheap rent and the opportunity to build things. The residents I know are motivated, collaborative and proud. I don't know that people would be so fiercely determined to make positive changes if things weren't as bad as they are now." In January 2013, city leaders presented a 347-page plan called "Detroit Future City." The plan included turning vacated lands into parks, landscapes and commercial sections. Many point to the downtown area along Woodward Avenue as a guide. Thousands of people, a lot of them young, have moved into that area, which includes a new gourmet coffee shop, a faux beach, bushes landscaped in the shape of dogs, and music playing along the street. Other U.S. cities such as Pittsburghand Bostonredeveloped after a period of depopulation, although neither one of those cities faced the extreme financial situation that Detroit is in now. However, Mingle says Detroit is up for the challenge, "There's a slogan you see around town a lot. 'Detroit Hustles Harder.' I like it because it's true. We work hard and we work together. Maybe it's only because one person can't do it alone here. But the point is, Detroiters are not giving up. Bankruptcy is just another hurdle. And we are climbing it."

The NSA, Edward Snowden, and Surveillance (part 2 of 2): On July 3, the plane carrying Bolivian president Evo Morales from Russia back to Bolivia was diverted because several European nations, believing that Snowden was on board the plane, refused Morales access to their airspace. The move created a diplomatic furor, and Morales called the incident an "affront to all [Latin] America," and the vice president, Alvaro Garcia, said Morales was "being kidnapped by imperialism." On July 17, Snowden filed a temporary asylum request in Russia after being holed up in the transit area of Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport for more than three weeks. Putin reiterated that Snowden must do no further harm to the United States, telling reporters, "We warned Mr. Snowden that any action by him that could cause damage to Russian-American relations is unacceptable to us. Bilateral relations, in my opinion, are far more important than squabbles about the activities of the secret services." On August 1, Russia granted Snowden asylum for one year, despite strong urging from the U.S. not to do so. Snowden's asylum further eroded the relationship between Washington and Moscow and ratcheted up tension between Obama and Putin. President Obama canceled a September summit meeting with Putin. Here are the major revelations about the NSA's surveillance program made public by Snowden. The NSA monitors the credit card transactions and customer records of three major phone service providers: Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint Nextel. Since 2010, the NSA has been analyzing meta data from phone and email logs and supplementing that information with data from other sources, such as GPS locators, bank codes, passenger manifests from airlines and other transportation databases, Facebook, and voter registration logs, to create graphs of the social connections of individuals. The graphs can show who people communicate and travel with, their location, and other information. Through a program called PRISM, companies, such as Facebook and Google, have cooperated with the U.S. government in surveillance operations. Britain's Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) had access to data gleaned through PRISM. Snowden told theSouth China Morning Postthat the NSA has been collecting information about individuals and institutions in Hong Kong and China since 2009 using PRISM. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court ruled that correspondence involving a U.S. citizen gleaned when the NSA was targeting non-U.S. citizens can be analyzed and kept if it was "inadvertently" acquired without a warrant. Through a program called Bullrun, the NSA has cracked internet encryption programs used by many companies to protect customers' privacy. Microsoft cooperated with the NSA, helping the agency to override the company's encryption mechanisms that protect the privacy of customers. The collaboration gave the government access to correspondence sent via Outlook.com, Hotmail, and Skype. Britain's GCHQ created the Tempora program in which the government monitored internet, email, IM, and phone activity using probes that were placed on fiber-optic cables. Internet content collected via the probes could be stored for three days and meta data for up to 30 days. Analysts at the NSA had access to this information. The Boundless Informant program enabled the NSA to analyze the metadata it collected. The tool has a mapping feature that allows data to be analyzed by country. The program seemingly contradicts claims by NSA officials that it does not have the ability to track the information it collects. The NSA shares raw intelligence data with Israel, passing it on before determining if it contained information about U.S. citizens. The NSA spied on Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff as well as Petrobras, Brazil's national oil company. The NSA conducted surveillance on the European Union embassy in Washington, D.C., France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the European Council headquarters in Brussels.