Barack Obama's year in photos

The President being briefed on the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. He later said this was the worst day of his Presidency.

Talking after a basketball game with actors Don Cheadle, Tobey Maguire, and George Clooney.

On his annual Christmas holiday in Hawaii.

Shaking hands after presenting a Purple Heart to Chase Haag, at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan.

At Camp David for the G8 Summit, European leaders took a break to watch the overtime shootout of the Chelsea v Bayern Munich Champions League final.

Backstage at the University of North Carolina or the President's appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

On the famed Rosa Parks bus at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

The President plays with the young son of a White House aide. Obama said this was his favourite picture of the year.

Egged on by BB King (R), the President joins in singing Sweet Home Chicago at a White House event.

The President talks on the phone with British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Waving goodbye to President Shimon Peres of Israel following a dinner in his honour at the White House.

The Obama family and close friends watching the US president election results at a Chicago hotel.

A view from behind the President's chair during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room.

The President and First Lady put on a show for the "kiss cam" at a game between the US Men's Olympic basketball team and Brazil in Washington.

The President welcoming service members and their families to a screening of Men in Black 3 in the White House Family Theater.

"How cool is this," the President said after he threw a football at Soldier Field following the NATO working dinner in Chicago.