The year 2020 has been like no other. Whilst our focus has been turned to the enormous repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, a shattered economy, a recession and the reality of millions acclimatising to the new ‘work from home’ normal, it is easy to forget other events that have occurred throughout this year.
Here’s a quick recap of some other major 2020 events.
- Australian bushfires- After record-breaking temperatures and extreme drought, our beautiful country battled some of its most violent and destructive bushfires in history, reaching its most catastrophic levels in January 2020. The fires burnt an estimated 18.6 million hectares, displaced thousands from their homes and killed at least 34 people
- Assassination of Iranian General, Qasem Soleimani – Following an attack on the Baghdad US embassy, the US launched a drone strike on the 03/01/2020, killing Qasem Soleimani, a senior and influential military figure in Iran. His death was met with mourning and threats of revenge against the US, and on 8th January, Iran launched missiles at bases which were housing the US military in Iraq - there were no fatalities
- Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 - On the same day that Iran launched the above airstrikes, Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 crashed in Tehran, killing all 176 people on board. It soon emerged that technical issues were not to blame, and the plane had been shot down because of ‘human error’
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quit royal family - Prince Harry and wife Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, made the controversial announcement that they were stepping down as “senior” royals. After much speculation, they declared that they aim to become financially independent and to split their time between the UK and North America
- Impeachment of President Donald Trump - The president of the United States faced an impeachment trial from the 6th January, on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. It was claimed that he asked the Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. The Senate acquitted Trump of these charges on February 5, 2020
- Kobe Bryant's death - The legendary Los Angeles Lakers player was killed along with his daughter, Gianna, and seven others when their helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California on January 26
- UK’s ‘Brexit’ From the European Union - Three and half years after the public referendum of June 2016, the United Kingdom officially left the (EU) on 31st January 2020. 17.4 million voters (52%) chose to leave the EU. The UK had been a member since 1973, and is the first member to leave
- "Parasite" sweeps the Oscars – a 2019 South Korean black comedy thriller, Parasite, is the first non-English language movie to win the Best Picture award at the Oscars. Bong Joon Ho’s film also took home awards for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature Film on Feb. 9
- Harvey Weinstein verdict – February 24 saw the disgraced Hollywood producer convicted of third-degree rape and first-degree criminal sexual act The verdict was celebrated as a watershed moment for the #MeToo movement
- Stock market crash March 16 - the coronavirus pandemic triggered a global recession as numerous countries went into lockdown. US stocks took a major plunge and the Dow fell a sharp 2,997 points, the biggest drop since 1987
- The 2020 Summer Olympics, - The highly anticipated 2020 Summer Olympics, set to take place at the end of July in Tokyo, Japan, was officially postponed on March 24 due to the coronavirus pandemic, until July 23, 2021
- Black Lives Matter protests - The police-involved killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor this year sparked a global movement for racial justice. Waves of both peaceful and violent demonstrations were seen across the world in a united demand to end police brutality and racial injustice
- Beirut explosion - A massive explosion at a Beirut port, sparked Aug. 4 by the accidental detonation of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, killed at least 190 people and injured thousands of others
- Eddie Van Halen and Sir Sean Connery deaths - Rock legend Eddie Van Halen, 65, died following a decades-long battle with cancer on Oct. 6. Shortly after on October 31st, the world lost Scottish actor Sir Sean Connery at the age of 90. He was best known for his portrayal of James Bond, appearing in seven of the spy thrillers
- Joe Biden becomes president-elect - Joe Biden became the 46th president of the United States on Nov. 7, defeating President Trump with a critical boost from Pennsylvania, which delivered the votes to propel him to victory and end one of the most contentious elections in recent mem
