#powerfulmomentsof2013

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"Malala Yousafzai becomes a symbol of peace"

The teenage protestor has been standing up to the Taliban since she was 11, advocating for children's education. Last year, she was shot in the head, and it didn't look like she'd survive. She did, wrote a book about the experience, and continues her mission. She was rumored to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this year at 16, which would make her the youngest nominee ever. (Nominations are kept secret for 50 years.) Yousafzai didn't win - the honor went to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) - but her dreams remain big: She hopes to one day become the prime minister of Pakistan.

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"Diana Nyad swims from Cuba to Florida"

The professional distance swimmer tried to stroke her way through over 100 miles of shark- and jellyfish-infested water four times between 1978 and 2012, failing each attempt. In September on her fifth attempt, the 64-year-old Nyad finally completed her ambitious swim. Her story and success inspired her fans, whom she told: "You're never too old to chase your dreams."

(Powerful Moments of 2013)

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Bijlee, the 58-year-old ailing elephant rescued by individuals and NGOs sometime back, died at Mulund on June 30 in Mumbai, India.

(Powerful Moments of 2013)

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A military regiment takes part in a morning exercise on Jan. 29 in the Heilongjiang Province of China. The temperature dipped to -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit).

(Powerful Moments of 2013)

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Turkish riot police officers take cover as Kurdish protesters shoot fireworks at them during clashes in central Istanbul on Dec. 7. Two protesters were killed on Dec. 6 in armed clashes with Turkish police that erupted over claims that Kurdish rebel cemeteries had been destroyed, local media reported.

(Powerful Moments of 2013)

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Lightning strikes the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) in downtown Chicago, Ill., on June 12.

(Powerful Moments of 2013)

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A general view of a tornado-ravaged neighborhood in Moore, Oklahoma. The tornado of EF5 strength and two miles-wide touched down May 20, killing at least 24 people and leaving behind extensive damage to homes and businesses.

(Powerful Moments of 2013)

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Family, area residents and fellow firefighters attend a memorial service held at Baylor University April 25 in Waco, Texas following a fertilizer plant explosion that claimed the lives of volunteer firefighters.

(Powerful Moments of 2013)