It has been an eventful twelve months in many respects. In the UK, Tony Blair revealed he will step down from the PM role next year, Scotland introduced a smoking ban, a whale swam up the Thames and the England football team crashed out of the World Cup on penalties.
On the international scene, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il tested a nuclear weapon, the Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray and the Pope insulted Islam.
There were highs and lows for famous faces across the globe and MSN has compiled a gallery of 10 who had good years and 10 who had years they’ll want to forget.
The year in review on MSN News
The year in review on MSN News
The year in pictures is our selection of the most striking and iconic images of 2006, taking in conflict zones, wonders of nature, sporting heroes, and the lives of ordinary people.
Featuring Zinedine Zidane, Kim Jong-il, Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and a bunch of Royal buggers.
As the year draws to a close, can we honestly say we are any wiser? Of course we can, and if you're in any doubt, here are 10 things we learned in 2006.
Test your current affairs knowledge with our 2006 news quiz. You'll need to answer 20 questions from our trivia database to stand a chance of making the leader board.
A look back at the year's quirky news, from a fear of peas to a Geordie waking up with a Jamaican accent.