The News & Observer’s photojournalists documented all of the moments, big and small, that made this year unforgettable. Here’s a closer look at some of the images that best tell the story of 2021. Plus, find behind-the-scenes videos about how our visual journalists made their favorite photos — and vote for your favorite scene.
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The News & Observer on Wednesday released its 2021 photos of the year. We’ve narrowed that list down even further — to the best of the best — and now it’s your turn to decide which single image comes out on top.
Let us know which picture deserves to be the readers’ choice winner by voting in our poll below. Deadline to vote is Jan. 3, 11:59 p.m.
Go vote!
Andrew Brown Jr.’s sons Khalil Ferebee, left, and Jha’rod Ferebee release doves following their father’s funeral on May 3. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
On April 21, Pasquotank County deputies shot and killed Andrew Brown Jr. in Elizabeth City, while trying to serve search and arrest warrants. The killing spurred days and nights of protests with demonstrators calling for the release of body-camera footage to reveal the events leading up to the shooting. On May 1, demonstrators repeated their calls on the 11th day of protests. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Roy Williams walks into the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., on April 1, 2021, to announce his retirement. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Tim Honeycutt prepares some of the last customer items for cleaning at Honeycutt Cleaners in Raleigh on May 5. Juli Leonard jleonard@newsobserver.com
Dr. Nerissa Price administers a COVID-19 vaccine to Yeni Umanzor, 21, as volunteer canvassers went door to door offering vaccines at a Raleigh mobile home park in Raleigh on July 23. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Seven-year-old Bryce Manus studies in his room on March 26 in Cary. After almost a year of virtual studies due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryce’s mother was ready for her son to return to in-person learning. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Vice President Kamala Harris visited North Carolina on April 19 to promote the infrastructure law signed by President Joe Biden. But she made an unannounced stop at the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro, sitting at the historic F.W. Woolworth lunch counter where four Black college students staged a sit-in on Feb. 1, 1960. The sit-in launched a wave of similar demonstrations across the country during the civil rights movement. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
A bull elk rests in a field at sunset at the Kituwah Farm near Bryson City on Nov. 2. The National Park Service reintroduced 52 elk into the Cataloochee area of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in 2001 and 2002. An estimated 200 elk now live in the park and surrounding areas. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
A team of nurses and respiratory therapists move a patient into the intensive care unit at Johnston UNC Health Care on Aug. 19 in Clayton. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Jon Scheyer poses with Carly Savarino, left, and her sister Emmie after a press conference June 4 at which Scheyer was introduced as Duke basketball’s eventual 20th head coach. Carly and Emmie Savarino are retiring coach Mike Krzyzewski’s grandchildren. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
N.C. State wide receiver Christopher Toudle celebrates after the Wolfpack’s 27-21 overtime win over Clemson at Carter-Finley Stadium on Sept. 25. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Gaylord Gable, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in the Korean War, awaits the start of the Veterans Day Observance ceremony honoring veterans of all wars and conflicts at Veterans Freedom Park in Cary, N.C. on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. Julia Wall jwall@newsobserver.com
The News & Observer’s photojournalists documented all of the moments, big and small, that made this year unforgettable. Here’s a closer look at some of the images that best tell the story of 2021. Plus, find behind-the-scenes videos about how our visual journalists made their favorite photos — and vote for your favorite scene.
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