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The 12 Most Popular @WBUR Tweets Of 2014
Mayor Menino's death. The passing of Car Talk host Tom Magliozzi. Ferguson protests. All of these, and others, had tremendous reach on Twitter — and WBUR's account is no exception. We dug into our timeline to uncover our 12 most popular tweets of 2014 (through Dec. 15).
Note: Engagement is defined as any action a user takes on the tweet — photo views, link clicks, expands, etc. — and does not consider only retweets and favorites. That's why some tweets with relatively low retweets or favorites are ranked higher than others with more.
12. Boston Protests Ferguson Grand Jury Decision
In Boston, hundreds protest #Ferguson decision in hours-long march through city streets: http://t.co/AhDUG6VL6W pic.twitter.com/OeiwJwM3nv— WBUR (@WBUR) November 26, 2014
After a grand jury's decision not to indict Darren Wilson, a police officer who shot and killed unarmed black teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, protesters took to the streets in Boston. Thousands turned out, and parts of Boston were at a virtual standstill.11. What 'Yes' And 'No' Mean On The Mass. Ballot Questions
What a "Yes" and "No" vote means on each Mass. ballot question — in one infographic. More: http://t.co/cxmTjimdBQ pic.twitter.com/0S3mg2sYkC— WBUR (@WBUR) November 3, 2014
The infographic was part of a larger explainer series WBUR launched to dig into what each ballot initiative would mean for Massachusetts residents.10. A Mini Monument To Trayvon Martin In Jamaica Plain
Without permission, a Boston artist installed this tiny street art monument to #TrayvonMartin: http://t.co/dxTEYzxVc2 pic.twitter.com/EuTFHUbNXc— WBUR (@WBUR) June 18, 2014
Hidden on a defunct lamppost in Jamaica Plain, artist Matthew Hincman placed a small monument in tribute to Trayvon Martin, the black teen who was shot to death in Florida by neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman. The installation features a hoodie in acknowledgment of what Martin was wearing at the time of his death, and what later became the symbol of the case.9. MIT Makes Big Commitment To Nanotechnology
With a $350 million research center, @MIT is betting big on #nanotechnology: http://t.co/HUUb5HSY5b pic.twitter.com/dxioRQwINO— WBUR (@WBUR) August 5, 2014
Earlier this year, MIT pledged $350 million for a new research center called MIT.nano. The facility, expected to open in 2018, is meant to provide a space for innovation in the nanotechnology field.8. Did Han Solo Shoot First? An On Point Exploration
And now for the debate that’s defined a generation: Did Han Solo shoot first? http://t.co/fMpnsrPlX4 via @OnPointRadio— WBUR (@WBUR) October 8, 2014
While discussing the upcoming Star Wars movie directed by J.J. Abrams, a listener wrote in to On Point expressing dismay that there was still debate over whether or not Han Solo, played by Harrison Ford, first shot Greedo the bounty hunter in "Star Wars: Episode IV."7. The Unlikely Story Of The Slide Rule's Role In Space Travel
The slide rule: a computing device that put a man on the moon: http://t.co/p23CNj87gP pic.twitter.com/s104hQQlsF— WBUR (@WBUR) October 23, 2014
In the first installment of NPR Ed's series on objects in the classroom, the slide rule was found to play a surprisingly crucial role in NASA's Apollo 11 mission.6. Mayor Tom Menino's Obituary
OBITUARY: Thomas Menino, a Boston political giant, dies at 71: http://t.co/jTzmQnRRdK pic.twitter.com/TaTQJbYviW— WBUR (@WBUR) October 30, 2014
One of the top stories in Boston this year was the death of former Boston Mayor Tom Menino. Menino, who died in November, served a record five terms as Boston's mayor, until 2014.5. Tom Ashbrook Announces A Leave Of Absence
Our thoughts are with @tomashbrooknpr and his family as he takes an extended leave of absence. Read his message: http://t.co/ppUZLXSmsQ— WBUR (@WBUR) November 5, 2014
On Nov. 5, On Point host Tom Ashbrook announced to his listeners that he would be taking a leave of absence from the show to take care of his wife who was battling with cancer. Ashbrook's wife, Danielle Guichard-Ashbrook, passed away on Nov. 6.4. Town-By-Town Election Results
See how your town voted in 13 key Mass. races with our interactive map: http://t.co/3K8OjJL3Uy pic.twitter.com/vpo3ZGqkEA— WBUR (@WBUR) November 5, 2014
3. Rick And Dick Hoyt Run Their Final Marathon
This year Rick and Dick Hoyt will run their final #BostonMarathon together: http://t.co/Wp2xuFyPnG pic.twitter.com/QZTYrVIjTr— WBUR (@WBUR) April 8, 2014
Rick and Dick Hoyt, also known as "Team Hoyt," announced last year that the 2014 Boston Marathon would be their last. The two have been Boston Marathon stalwarts since 1981.2. Harvard Med Students Protest Ferguson, Garner Cases
Harvard Medical School students protest the deaths of unarmed black men in a "die-in." http://t.co/J416d6nX8V pic.twitter.com/9utc3xkSrj— WBUR (@WBUR) December 11, 2014
Harvard Medical School students joined students from some 40 other medical schools across the country in protesting the deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police and racial inequality in medical treatment.1. The Death Of Car Talk Co-Host Tom Magliozzi
JUST IN: Tom Magliozzi, one half of @cartalk, has passed away, NPR announces.— WBUR (@WBUR) November 3, 2014
Tom Magliozzi, co-host of the popular NPR show Car Talk, died in November at the age of 77. Tom and his brother Ray, also known as "Click and Clack" or the "Tappett Brothers," had been a staple of NPR programming since 1987 — and of WBUR programming before that.Note: Two other stories of Magliozzi's death were in our top tweets, but to avoid repetition, we chose just to list the most shared tweet about Magliozzi's death. The other tweets, which would've ranked No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, were his obituary and a roundup of the five funniest audio clips from Car Talk.