2023 was a year of significant global events. The World Health Organization declared an end to the COVID-19 global health emergency. A major earthquake devastated parts of Turkey and Syria. The year also saw the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. In science, the James Webb Space Telescope continued to provide groundbreaking images of the early universe. Geopolitical tensions remained high with the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The year 2022 was dominated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which caused a major humanitarian crisis and global economic disruption. Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-reigning monarch, passed away at the age of 96. In sports, the FIFA World Cup was held in Qatar, with Argentina emerging as the champion. The world's population officially reached 8 billion people.
In 2021, the world continued to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, with the rollout of vaccines offering hope. Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States. The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan following the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Extreme weather events, including wildfires and floods, highlighted the growing climate crisis.
The year 2020 was defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to worldwide lockdowns, economic recession, and a massive shift to remote work and learning. The murder of George Floyd sparked global protests against police brutality and racial injustice. Other notable events included the devastating wildfires in Australia and the West Coast of the United States.
In 2019, large-scale protests erupted in Hong Kong against a proposed extradition bill. A fire engulfed the historic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, causing extensive damage. The U.S. women's soccer team won its fourth World Cup title. The first-ever image of a black hole was captured by the Event Horizon Telescope.
A historic summit took place between a U.S. president and a North Korean leader when President Trump and Kim Jong Un met. The world watched the dramatic rescue of a youth soccer team trapped in a cave in Thailand. France won the FIFA World Cup for the second time. A royal wedding captivated many as Prince Harry married Meghan Markle.
Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States. The #MeToo movement gained significant momentum, raising awareness of sexual harassment and assault. A total solar eclipse was visible across the contiguous United States for the first time since 1918. In Las Vegas, a gunman opened fire on a music festival, resulting in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
The United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in a historic referendum known as Brexit. Donald Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States in a surprise victory. The Summer Olympics were held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The world mourned the deaths of numerous cultural icons, including David Bowie, Prince, and Muhammad Ali.
The Paris Agreement on climate change was adopted by 196 countries, aiming to limit global warming. A series of coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris left 130 people dead. The United States and Cuba formally re-established diplomatic relations after more than 50 years.
The mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 captivated the world. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, leading to international condemnation and sanctions. The Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa became a global health emergency. Germany won the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Pope Benedict XVI resigned, becoming the first pope to do so in nearly 600 years, and was succeeded by Pope Francis. Two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring hundreds. Edward Snowden leaked classified documents from the National Security Agency, sparking a global debate on surveillance and privacy.
The Summer Olympics were held in London. The world followed the U.S. presidential election, where Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term. Hurricane Sandy caused widespread damage in the Caribbean and the Eastern United States. The Curiosity rover successfully landed on Mars to begin its exploration of the planet.