The Year In Photos: Moments That Defined NYC In 2021

NEW YORK — This year was certainly one you had to see for yourself.

New Yorkers saw our state governor fall from grace and a new mayor rise out of Brooklyn, a borough he may or may not call home.

New York battled its way out of a global pandemic only to see a new variant begin its rapid spread across the city.

But New Yorkers also saw its runners return to the streets for the official 50th running of the NYC Marathon, which was supposed to have taken place in 2020.

We celebrated Valentine's Day actually inside restaurants and danced in the streets when Broadway reopened its theater doors.

New Yorkers saw quite a lot this year. Here are the moments that defined 2021.

Wary New Yorkers Watch Inauguration Of President Joe Biden

New Yorkers cheered the incoming of President Joe Biden on Jan. 15 but kept a wary eye on the news as, just weeks earlier, insurrections had stormed the U.S. Capitol vowing to prevent the victorious Democratic candidate from claiming the White House.

New York City Rolls Up Its Sleeve And Gets The Vax

Resident Jean Pope was nearing a 100 years old when she received her first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the Harlem Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in January 2021. Pope told Patch, "The sooner to get it done, the better."

New York Celebrates Return To Normal As City Reopens

New Yorkers danced in the street as vaccination rates rose and iconic city mainstays reopened their doors to diners, theater-goers, dancers and all those who people who hadn't gathered indoors for so long.

Andrew Cuomo Resigns Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations

New York City dwellers took to the streets on Aug. 4, 2021, to demand Gov. Andrew Cuomo tender his resignation. Cuomo resigned later in the month after New York Attorney General Letitia James's investigation concluded he had sexually harassed multiple women.

Hurricane Ida Blasts New York City

Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc across the city on Sep. 1. as subways, highways and homes filled with water and at least 12 people lost their lives. Forecasters later said the storm brought wettest hour in New York City's history.

New York Commemorates 20th Anniversary Of Sept. 11 Attacks

New Yorkers gathered at Ground Zero on Sept. 11 for an annual commemoration ceremony to honor those who lost their lives in the terrorist attack 20 years ago. Moments of silence were held when the World Trade Center towers were struck and fell.

Crisis On Rikers Island

New Yorkers demanded the decarceration of Rikers Island, facing a humanitarian crisis as COVID-19 and a vaccination mandate leave the jail complex dangerously overcrowded and understaffed.

Eric Adams Wins Mayor's Race

Eric Adams celebrated a victory on Nov. 2 when he told a cheering crowd, "I'm the mayor!" Adams, the borough president of Brooklyn and a former NYPD captain, claimed his seat in City Hall after he trounced Republican Curtis Sliwa during Tuesday's election.

NYC Marathon Returns For Triumphant 50th Anniversary

Tens of thousands of runners hit the pavements on Nov. 8 for the New York City Marathon and celebrated its delayed 50th anniversary. Last year's race went ahead, albeit as a virtual event after COVID-19 meant a live race was impossible. Almost 16,000 runners completed it.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.