It was a very exciting 2008 here in the MTV Newsroom. It was a year of triumph and tragedy, a year of secret weddings and pregnancies, a year of overcoming adversity and a year of inspiration and change.

2008 brought us everything from the shocking death of Heath Ledger and the tragedy that befell Jennifer Hudson and her family, to the reinvention of Britney Spears and the successes of "The Dark Knight" and Tha Carter III. Your favorite artists and celebrities eloped (is it legal yet, Speidi?), married overseas (nice tats, Mariah and Nick) and got hitched in secret (thanks for finally admitting to that, Jay and B). They had babies and — in true Hollywood style — named them strange things (I am available to babysit when Bronx befriends Brooklyn and they have a play-date in Manhattan. Just saying.). And, Chinese Democracy actually materialized, to the delight of Dr. Pepper fans.

As 2008 reaches the finish line, we have compiled a collection of the best photos of 2008 that represent the stories that filled the pixels of our Web site all year long. We look forward to all the excitement and insanity 2009 will bring!

And it wouldn't be a Will.I.Am video without some celebrity appearances. This time around, he's rounded up his bandmate Fergie, as well as actors Olivia Wilde, Jonathan Schaech and Kerry Washington.

See the full "It's A New Day" video at MTVNews.com...

Back when it started, Democrat Tom Vilsack first filed papers with the FEC — and thus kicked off the race to the White House — Bob Barker was still hosting "The Price Is Right," CariDee was just about to win "America's Next Top Model" and America had not yet met Sanjaya.

Crazy, right?

And not only has it been prolonged, but it's been intense! With a campaign season that had more plot developments than the entire run of "Passions," it's hard to remember all the twists and turns the story took. Remember when Rudy Giuliani was considered a front-runner? Or what about when Joe Biden — a then-presidential candidate — got flack for calling Obama "clean?" And there was the Chuck Norris/ Mike Huckabee bromance! Jesse Jackson threatening castration! Hillary threatening scary 3 a.m. phone calls!

Watch Jim's video recap of the entire election, after the jump!

So when my bosses asked if it was possible to recap the entire presidential campaign in only 60 seconds, my first thought was far from "yes we can!" It was more, "What are you smoking?"

However, after many sleepless nights, a zillion revisions, and much-needed support from my talented colleagues, the segment is done.

Before we move on and start rebuilding the nation "block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand," as our president-elect said, let's take one final (and admittedly silly) minute to look back at how we got here on this historic day.

Obviously I couldn't squeeze in all of the news. Did I miss any of your favorite campaign headlines? Hit me up in the comments and let me know! (And, for the record, we made a second version of this segment in case Senator McCain emerged victorious. I like to think that it's my personal version of the "DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN" newspaper.)

(For more from Jim Cantiello check out his blog entries and his "American Idol" recaps!)

One reporter said "if we win tonight" I said "we?" He corrected himself and said "if Obama wins." I laughed and for a second I felt like we--all of the news crews back there--were all on the same team. They ran to the crowd, back and forth, after every cheer not wanting to miss anything. While I'm sure their quickness helped them capture the news for their employers, I got the feeling that they didn't want to miss anything because they wanted the night to be a complete "I was there" story to tell their grandchildren.

Continue reading more about the rally on YOURHERE.MTV.COM.

New Year's Eve had nothing on last night's celebration in Times Square. When Barack Obama was announced as president-elect, thousands of New Yorkers and tourists from all over the world roared with a collective cheer — and the party didn't stop all night long.

A group of us from the Newsroom stepped out from behind our computers and cameras to join the crowd as the final results were called — a momentary break from a long night of reporting. Illuminated by the enormous electronic billboards and LCD screens displaying the news, cheering people filled Broadway as far as the eye could see. Strangers were embracing, kids were break dancing, and New Yorkers were actually friendly.

Even when we returned to the 29th floor to start our overnight coverage of the results, we could hear the crowd continuing to cheer down below. And it wasn't just in Times Square. Reports from all over the five boroughs told of people running out of their homes and into the streets, to celebrate spontaneously with their friends and neighbors. In my neighborhood in Brooklyn, upwards of 1,000 people crowded the main drag, honking horns, shouting and dancing in the streets.

From spontaneous block parties in the historically black Brooklyn neighborhood of Fort Greene to joyous mobs filling the streets in conservative pockets of rural Ohio, it seemed like the whole country was saying, "Yes we did."

So what was happening in your neighborhood last night? Share your experience in the comments area below or — even better — upload video at yourhere.mtv.com!

While driving through Los Angeles over the past few days, I have noticed that one proposition on the California ballot is getting more attention than any other: Proposition 8, an initiative that would eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. You can't go more than a mile on the streets of L.A. without seeing a sign for or against the proposition.

(More about Prop 8, after the jump!)

First, a little history: Gay marriage has been legal in California since May, when a 4-3 California Supreme Court ruling declared that the state constitution protects a fundamental "right to marry" that extends equally to same-sex couples. But now, the backers of Prop 8 want to change that. A "yes" vote on Proposition 8 would amend the constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman.

We hit the streets today in West Hollywood to find some people who are fighting the proposition. "I'm showing my [opinion] that everyone is equal; we should be allowed to marry who we want," 22-year-old Abram Garay said. "We should be allowed to marry who we love, and there shouldn't be rules or laws about it, because you can't do that when it has to do with love. This is who we are."

Abram spent most of his afternoon at a popular West Hollywood intersection with a sign encouraging everyone to vote "no" on Prop 8. Abram was joined on the street by many others with signs and banners, including three Los Angeles area pastors.

"It's all about God's love, and God's love for all people — equality for all," Pastor James Boline said. "Proposition 8 is just wrong. It is unfair to human beings, and we're out here to talk about this in terms of the church. There are so many Christians that are talking hate and exclusion. We want to be out to give a message of love and inclusion."

Welcome to McCain HQ, where denial ain't just a river in Egypt.

After early bouts of enthusiasm, things have taken on a decidedly somber tone, as McCain's lead has evaporated and major networks have begun to call must-win states like Pennsylvania and Virginia for Barack Obama.

Of course, you would only know it of you were paying really close attention inside the Frank Lloyd Wright Ballroom, because as soon as states started falling Obama's way, the two screens flanking the stage were quickly shut off, their live feeds replaced with McCain political commercials.

Soon after, the Phoenix Boys Choir was ushered onstage and, in matching blazers and khakis, they delivered a touching version of "God Bless America."

Then Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake — looking tanned and strangely chipper — delivered a "rah-rah" speech, as Obama opened up a 62-point lead in the electoral vote count.

Of course, none of that was mentioned by the McCain camp and, after more speechifying, the "official" delegate count was posted inside the house: McCain 21-3. And as McFadden & Whitehead's "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" blared overhead, one couldn't help but think that the McCain camp was being a tad bit optimistic.

By most accounts, young voters came out in a big way today.

Now we want to hear from you!

How did it feel to vote? Where are you watching the results? Where will you be when the next president of the United States makes his victory speech?

We want to join your viewing party. We want to share your enthusiasm and disappointment.

Upload your video reaction to this historic day at YouRHere.MTV.com, or leave your comments below. Your message will appear on our election map and could appear on TV!

About the same time, polls began to close in parts of Kentucky and Indiana, and early on, these Mac backers had plenty to cheer about: eight electoral votes in the bank, and a tight — but trending positively — race in Indiana.

The ballroom is beginning to hum, and nearby, special VIP VIP parties are beginning to get under way in rooms throughout the Biltmore. People are posing for pictures in front of the Straight Talk Express, snapping up $5 McCain/Palin "Victory" pins and beginning to assault the fully stocked bars. The line of limousines is beginning to overwhelm the valet team. Things are starting to happen. ... Finally.

MTV News is at the polls in all 50 states — check out our coverage all day long on MTV and right here on MTVNews.com. Then, tell us why you voted! Comment below, upload video at yourhere.mtv.com, or text VOTE to 66333 with your first name, age, state and a comment about your experience. Your message will appear on our election map and could appear on TV today!

With reporting by Sway Calloway

Don't expect the major news networks to call tonight's election too early. They've been burned in the past, like in 2004, when early exit-poll numbers leaked, showing eventual loser Senator John Kerry leading eventual winner President George Bush.

That's why, more than three hours before any polls closed, CNN anchor Don Lemon told MTV News that his network is very cautious when it comes to calling an election. In a word: "Accuracy," Lemon said. "We want to make sure that we know absolutely sure before we call anything. And we try not to use that [phrase], 'call anything.' Most of the time, we project. We all learned our lessons from 2000 and 2004. We have to be absolutely sure."

(More about how CNN calls an election, after the jump!)

Shockingly, in the cutthroat world of big-time news gathering, Lemon said it's not as imperative to be first as it is to be accurate: "For the next four years at least, we know who the president's going to be, so one hour or one day really doesn't make a difference as far as calling an election."

Lemon said those projections are based on what percentage of the poll results are in for any given state. Asked about reports that one network might call the election just hours after the first polls close if Senator Barack Obama wins the key state of Virginia, Lemon said, "I don't want to get into what other networks say, but we know that the critical state in all this is Pennsylvania for John McCain. So if John McCain doesn't do well or doesn't win in Pennsylvania, his chances of winning — if you look at the electoral map — his chances of winning are pretty slim to none. If he doesn't win Pennsylvania and then wins everything else ... [just] keep your eye on Pennsylvania."

Looking over his shoulder for a second opinion from political reporter Jessica Yellin, Lemon asked, "Is that right?"

"Yes, watch Pennsylvania for McCain," Yellin nodded.