In 54 wide-ranging lists, TIME surveys the highs and lows, the good and the bad, of the past 12 months

Top 10 Numbers

6. 5

By Frances RomeroWednesday, Dec. 07, 2011
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Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post / Getty Images)

Years since Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas last asked a question during oral arguments; he has served since 1991

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