2013: The Year in U.S. News (58 images)

Crews at the World Trade Center site watch the final section of spire as it raised by crane to the top of One World Trade Center skyscraper in New York City on May 2, 2013. The final section, comprising the 17th and 18th pieces, will bring the building to its iconic height of 1776. Once the pieces are installed, at a later date, the spire will make One World Trade Center the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. UPI/John Angelillo

Members of the media and others look out at 1 World Trade Center from an observation deck after the opening of the new 4 World Trade Center building in New York City on November 13, 2013. 4 World Trade Center is the first office tower to be completed on the original 16-acre World Trade Center site since 9/11. UPI/John Angelillo

A bolt of lightning strikes near the Empire State Building in Manhattan as a thunder storm moves through the New York City area on June 2, 2013. UPI/John Angelillo

The first U.S. version of the 40-foot-tall rubber ducky which is artist Florentijun Hofman of the Netherlands creation makes its arrival in Pittsburgh on September, 27, 2013.It's arrival kicks off the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust International Festivals of First. UPI/Archie Carpenter