A Frightful Year

The end of the world didn't come on May 21--nor did the Oct. 21 back-up apocalypse. Still, 2011 has been full of fits, starts and frights. U.S. unemployment is 9.1 percent, housing prices took a double dip, Japan suffered a debilitating earthquake, and Europe is in turmoil. And let's not forget the debt ceiling brinksmanship in Washington and the downgrade of U.S. government debt. More recently, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said the economic recovery was "close to faltering." Investors are said to lack confidence, and in this scary environment, who can blame them?

Click on to see some of 2011's scariest moments.