TEENage is at the swansong of our Jamaica 50 commemorations and on this, the first day of 2013, we look at some of the most memorable events of our 50th year as we look forward to 50 more.

1. The Portia Simpson Miller-led PNP took office on January 5 after their 42-21 victory before the new year.

2. Jamaica copped 12 medals at the London Olympics including a successful defence of both his titles by Usain Bolt and a 1-2-3 finish in the 200-metre finals.

3. Jamaica observed its 50th anniversary with year-long celebrations complete with a jam-packed Grand Gala held on August 6.

4. Miss Jamaica World 2012, Deanna Robins managed to finish in the top five at the Miss World Contest and was later made ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ ambassador by the international organisers, becoming the first Jamaican given this award.

5. Jamaica was surprised by a late-season hurricane called Sandy in October, which damaged the eastern side of the island and later went on to devastate New York and surrounding areas in the USA.

6. Jamaica was in the process of renegotiating a deal with the IMF, which saw the economy on eggshells as the US$1 was being sold for JMD$95. New taxes were also put on commodities such as phone calls, basic food items such as saltfish and patties.

7. Nicholas ‘Axeman’ Walters became the first Jamaican to win a world boxing title on home soil when he knocked down Daulis Prescott on December 8 to lift the WBA Featherweight belt.

8. Jamaica was visited by Prince Harry of Wales from March 5-8 in honour of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.

9. West Indies won the ICC World T20 tournament after often being led by the batting and bowling of Jamaicans like Marlon Samuels, who had a spectacular year and highly rated fast bowler Kemar Roach.

10. Despite the belief by many that the world would end on December 21, similarly to the Mayan Calendar, we did indeed survive 2012 and have welcomed the new year of 2013.