We’re all aware of the power of twitter by now, and if we’re not, maybe this list will convince you. Business Insider reports that “Over the last 12 months, Twitter grew by more than <a href="http://blog.twitter.com/2010/12/whos-new-on-twitter-hindsight2010.html">100 million users</a>, who helped the network pump out more than <a href="http://blog.twitter.com/2010/12/hindsight2010-ten-most-powerful-tweets.html">25 billion tweets</a>.” So how powerful can 140 characters or less really be? Check out the 5 most powerful tweets of 2010:

#5 <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/With%20over%20100%20million%20newly%20registered%20users%20in%202010,%20Twitter%20has%20certainly%20picked%20up%20speed.%20That%20many%20people%20can%27t%20possibly%20have%20something%20interesting%20to%20say,%20but%20Twitter%20put%20together%20a%20list%20of%20people%20who%20did.%20%20Twitter%20faced%20a%20challenge%20when%20they%20narrowed%20down%20over%2025%20billion%20tweets%20to%20just%20ten,%20but%20their%20final%20list%20shows%20Twitter%20is%20an%20outlet%20where%20many%20types%20of%20communication%20exists.">@Precidencia_EC</a> Gobierno <em>declara estado de Excepción #Ecuador #30S</em>

When civil unrest in Ecuador increased dramatically after a new law cut benefits for public servants, President Rafael Correa accused opposition and military forces of a coup attempt, and used Twitter to declare a state of emergency in a Tweet. Leaders across Latin America and the world tweeted in response to show their support for the people of Ecuador.

#4 @BPGlobalPR <em>Catastrophe is a strong word, let's all agree to call it a whoopsie daisy.</em>

It was a parody account, not BP’s official Twitter account, that defined the discussion--spoofing the company’s attempts to improve its public image. “Gulf Oil Spill” was the #1 Trend on Twitter in 2010.

#3 @LeighFazzina <em>I've had a serious injury and NEED Help! Can somone please call Winding Trails in Farmington, CT tell them I'm stuck bike crash in woods.
</em>
Twitter to the rescue: When she crashed her bike in a forest with no cell phone reception, a gravely injured triathlete saved her own life when she tweeted out a desperate call for help.

#2 @whitehouse <em>Welcome to @twitter President Medvedev! RT @KremlinRussia_E: Hello everyone! I'm on Twitter, and this is my first tweet.</em>

Even the Russian President has joined the Twitter bandwagon. The White House immediately reached out to welcome him to the Twitterverse. Obama’s quote: Red phones no longer required.

#1 @AnnCurry <em>@usairforce find a way to let Doctors without Borders planes land in Haiti: http://bit.ly/8hYZOK THE most effective at this.</em>

After the devastating earthquake, Doctors Without Borders flew in a team of physicians to assist the wounded, but they were unable to get clearance to land the plane. Reporter Ann Curry used Twitter to convince the U.S. Air Force to allow the flight to land. And it worked.

To get the full top ten list read the full article here: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/twitters-top-tweets-2010-12">http://www.businessinsider.com/twitters-top-tweets-2010-12#</a>