In January 2009, Demotix as we know it today was launched. Since then, we've had over 125,000 images from over 100 countries and made sales to most of the world's biggest TV channels, newspapers, magazines and websites. Demotix has led the news agenda with stories from London, Boston and Tehran. All of this - every last bit - is thanks to you, our 11,000 contributors. In one year, you've made Demotix a vibrant community and, we think, the home of some of the best photojournalism anywhere. We are excited to see what you will make in 2010.

JANUARY

The year began with war and destruction as Israel responded to Gaza rockets by sending its troops into the Strip. As the Israeli authorities had placed restrictions on foreign journalists, the photographs uploaded to Demotix provided some of the best coverage anywhere, taken by Gazan photojournalists.

FEBRUARY

This extraordinary image from Phnom Penh from February is from one of the thousands of breathtaking features uploaded to Demotix this year. Stung Meanchey is not only Cambodia's largest garbage dump, it's also home to a huge number of people. It made the Guardian's centre page double-page spread, one of the most prestigious sales a photographer can make. Meanwhile, Turi Munthe, Demotix CEO, travelled to South Asia to meet photographers, journalists, activists, students, newspaper editors and media owners in Dhaka, Delhi, Kathmandu, Bombay, and Karachi.

MARCH

Early on, it became clear that the reports submitted to Demotix would not simply mirror the mainstream news agenda. In Malaysia, largely ignored by the world, political unrest rocked the country, and Demotix reporters from Kuala Lumpur and beyond submitted comprehensive reports. The notable Malaysian journalist and dissident, Raja Petra, reported on his own trial for sedition. In Demotix news, we were thrilled when Demotix scooped top prize in the Independent Media category at the Guardian MEGAs - one of the biggest prizes in the industry.

APRIL

Ian Tomlinson, a newsagent assistant from the City of London, lies collapsed on the ground after being caught up in police cordons during G20 protests in London on 1st April. Mr Tomlinson later died. Taken at the moment of his collapse and shortly before his death, this photo of Tomlinson became one of the most iconic to emerge from the G20 protests in London. It made the front page of the Guardian newspaper in the UK.

MAY

One of the defining global stories of 2009 was the spread of the H1N1 Swine Flu virus around the world. The reports began in Mexico, and spread throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Some responded with panic, but others - as in this image - took the mass hysteria in their stride and tried to lift the gloom.

JUNE

The political crisis following the presidential election in Iran saw Demotix make its mark across the world. Whilst foreign reporters were locked in their hotel rooms, Iranian photographers sent in their images to Demotix by email, defying threats from the regime. Often Demotix was the best source of imagery from Iran, but sometimes it was also the only one. On June 19, the New York Times ran a Demotix photograph on its front page – the first Demotix front page in the US – swiftly followed by another front page on 21st June, with more photographs on inside pages and on the website. Then the Wall Street Journal licensed a Demotix image for the front page of their website and carried another very prominently in their print edition. Demotix contributors lead the world and told their stories to the world; some of them sacrificed much to do so. Two Demotix contributors were arrested, another was beaten. We take this opportunity to recognize their bravery.

JULY

When a prominent black scholar at Harvard University was arrested by police for entering his own home, it became a political storm. And when a neighbour reached for his camera and uploaded the photograph to Demotix, a new chapter in the story of citizen-journalism was written. The photograph of Professor Henry Louis Gates in handcuffs has become iconic. The image was licensed by almost all the major networks and newspapers in the United States and around the world.

AUGUST

Afghanistan's nascent democracy was tested by the country's second presidential election since the US invasion. The build-up began promisingly, with vibrant campaigns from the incumbent Hamid Karzai and the challengers Adbullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani. However, Taliban threats depressed turnout and allegations of fraud threw the process into chaos. Afghan citizens, many of them students and young people, used Demotix to document the campaign and election aftermath.

SEPTEMBER

As the threat of climate change continued to feature in political debate all over the world, nature provided timely reminders of its power. Among the year's natural disasters, the typhoons and hurricanes in South East Asia made the most impact. Demotix featured reports from all the countries hit by Typhoon Ondoy and its sister storms.

OCTOBER

Demotix had over 600 reports from Pakistan this year, documenting the country's political instability. Bombs in Islamabad and Karachi, gang warfare and the military campaign in the Swat Valley were some of the subjects of this sombre collaborative reportage.

NOVEMBER

With contributors from all over the world and of all faiths, this site provided a brilliant kaleidoscope of religious festivals all over the world. Easter, Holi, Ramadan and Christmas were covered in dozens of countries across all continents. Perhaps most striking was the coverage of Eid-al-Adha including its traditional sacrifice of lifestock, including in Palestine, Pakistan, Indonesia, Italy and - in this image - Ethiopia.

DECEMBER

The UN Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen was, with London in April, the biggest diplomatic event of the year. All over the city, activists and journalists covered the frenzied lobbying and activity as the world's leaders arrived. Demotix also had two contributors reporting from inside the Bella Centre, providing live coverage of the conference, breaking news, and making major sales. A stunning response, and an incredibly successful way the end the year.