New York City is one of the most culturally significant places in the world. When something takes place in New York, there's a good chance people around America will take notice. We've collected the most important news to take place during 2011 in New York, most of which helped shape the entire nation. Here's the best New York news of 2011.

Yezbak and Priebe blow bubbles outside the Manhattan City Clerks office
Cat Yezbak (L) and Rachel Priebe blow bubbles outside the Manhattan City Clerk's office July 24, 2011.Thousands of gay and lesbian New Yorkers are getting ready to say "I do" this weekend, as the Empire State becomes the sixth in the U.S. to embrace same-sex marriage. Reuters
Knicks Anthony poses with Stoudemire and Billups at a news conference in New York
(L-R) New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony poses with teammates Amar'e Stoudemire and Chauncey Billups at a news conference to introduce Anthony and Billups as the newest members of the Knicks, after being acquired from the Denver Nuggets in a trade, at Madison Square Garden in New York February 23, 2011. Reuters
Jay Z and his wife Beyonce watch the New Jersey Nets play the Phoenix Suns in their NBA game in Newark
Jay Z and his wife Beyonce watch the New Jersey Nets play the Phoenix Suns in the second quarter of their NBA basketball game in Newark, New Jersey, February 28, 2011. Reuters
U.S. director Allen talks with Baldwin during the shooting of his next movie quotThe Bop Decameronquot in downtown Rome
U.S. director Woody Allen (top) talks with U.S. actor Alec Baldwin during the shooting of his next movie "The Bop Decameron" in downtown Rome July 25, 2011. Reuters
NASA satellite image shows sediment from Hurricane Irene rains and flooding emptying into New York Harbor from the Hudson River
This NASA satellite image, obtained by Reuters on September 2, 2011, and taken August 31, 2011, shows the Hudson River (C) flowing into New York Harbor, filled with sediment from upriver streams and rivers affected by the rains of Hurricane Irene. Residents of several U.S. Northeast states approached the Labor Day holiday weekend mired in mud and stuck in the dark on Thursday nearly a week after Hurricane Irene swallowed parts of the region with flooding. Reuters
The quotTribute in Lightsquot illuminates the sky over lower Manhattan on the 10th anniversary of the 911 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York
The "Tribute in Lights" illuminates the sky over lower Manhattan on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, September 11, 2011. Reuters
Weiner Poses in the Nude
Anthony Weiner flexes in front of his phone. @RepWeiner
CDC Sees Rise In Bed Bug Infestations How To Prevent And Kill The Blood-Thirsty Invaders
Bedbug infestations are on the rise, especially in offices and schools. Here's how to prevent them and kill the little pests. StarMaster
New York Mets Nick Evans tosses ball to Chris Capuano for out on Atlanta Braves Alex Gonzalez in New York
New York Mets first baseman Nick Evans lobs the ball to Mets pitcher Chris Capuano covering first base for an out on Atlanta Braves batter Alex Gonzalez in the second inning of their MLB National League baseball game at CitiField in New York, August 26, 2011. Reuters
Beastie Boys are Back
The Beastie Boys released an new album in 2011, and their new video Fight For Your Right (Revisited) starred several famous actors and actresses. Reuters
Sara Ackerman, NYU senior, refused to go down to Occupy Wall Street
Student claims professor forced her to interview "the criminals, drug addicts, and mentally ill people" at Zucotti Park. Reuters
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks during a news conference at Cornell University in New York
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks during a news conference at Cornell University in New York, December 19, 2011. Reuters