A country-music concert turned tragic. A "miracle" congresswoman went back to work. One oppressive regime came close to toppling as another was remembered 50 years later. These were just a few of the events that made headlines in August. Let's look at the month's most quotable lines.
August Quotes
President Obama on Moammar Gadhafi"This much is clear: The Gadhafi regime is coming to an end. The future of Libya is in the hands of its people."
President Obama spoke as rebels attempted to end the Libyan dictator's four-decade reign in Tripoli.
"Never before in the United States have producers of a lawful product been required to use their own packaging and advertising to convey an emotionally-charged government message urging adult consumers to shun their products."
Four tobacco companies filed a lawsuit over graphic labels the FDA is requiring on their cigarette packs.
"You dream about it but when it finally happens it's kind of surreal."
The Minnesota Twins' designated hitter slugged his way into the record books with home run No. 600.
"When the curator turned back to the Rembrandt, it was gone."
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department recovered a stolen sketch a few days after it was stolen from a posh hotel.
"C'mon. You can't be publicly gay? At this point? On a singing competition? Give me a break."
The lead singer of a Grammy-winning pop/rock group and co-host of "The Voice" criticized "American Idol" for its treatment of gay contestants.
"My friends and I have been coddled long enough by a billionaire-friendly Congress. It's time for our government to get serious about shared sacrifice."
The billionaire investor used a New York Times editorial to explain why the super-rich should pay more taxes.
"There was a hero every 10 feet on Saturday night."
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels spoke at a memorial for the victims of the stage collapse shortly before the country duo Sugarland was set to perform.
"What is it going to take for Washington to listen to us?"
The Starbucks CEO suggested an interesting strategy to protest the government's handling of the debt-ceiling crisis.
"He's a good-looking rascal."
Former President Bill Clinton gave his thoughts on the governor of Texas throwing his hat into the Republican presidential race.
"It is our responsibility to keep its memory alive and pass it on to future generations ... so that such injustices never repeat themselves."
Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit spoke at a ceremony marking 50 years since the barrier was erected – cutting off East Germany from the West.
"We strongly disagree with this decision and we are confident it will not stand."
A White House aide responded to a court ruling that a major portion of the Affordable Care Act was unconstitutional.
"I deserved to get shot."
A Florida woman expressed remorse her after she and her two brothers were caught after a cross-country crime spree.
"Corporations are people, my friend."
The presidential candidate's response to hecklers gained him some attention on the campaign trail.
"Everyone watching these horrific actions will be struck by how they were organized via social media. Free flow of information can be used for good. But it can also be used for ill."
British Prime Minister David Cameron considered social network bans after the sites were used to connect London rioters. How many people have been arrested?
"I hope people boycott it. It's just not telling the truth about the era."
Women's rights icon Gloria Steinem – who went undercover as a Bunny in the 1960s – voiced her displeasure about the new NBC series.
"Michele Bachmann's intensity is galvanizing voters in Iowa right now. Newsweek's cover captures that."
Editor in Chief Tina Brown defended her magazine's attention-grabbing cover of the Republican presidential candidate.
"We always have been and always will be a triple-A country."
President Obama spoke to the American people after the country's credit rating was downgraded for the first time in history.
"All of those killed in this operation were true heroes who had already given so much in the defense of freedom. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten."
The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan spoke of the 30 Americans and seven Afghan soldiers who died when their helicopter was shot down during a rescue mission.
"I strongly believe that crossing the aisle for the good of the American people is more important than party politics. I had to be here for this vote. I could not take the chance that my absence could crash our economy."
The recovering Arizona congresswoman surprised her colleagues when she returned to work for the House debt-ceiling vote.
