2020 has proven to be a challenging and lifechanging year for many.
From the Australian bush fires, a global pandemic, and negative oil prices, to the Black Lives Matters protests, and the 2020 US presidential election, millions of people have been affected in what seems the most troubling year this decade.
Below we round up some of the year’s biggest events that made us laugh, cry and appreciate life.
January 2020
Australian bush fires
Australian bush fires reap havoc across Australia and damage more than 18 million hectares (180,00KM²).
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quit the royal
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have stepped down as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, quitting the royal family in favor of a very different life in America. (Mirror)
Rising Iran-US Tensions
U.S. executes General Qassim Suleimeni, a security mastermind and one of Iran’s top commanders operating in Iraq. In retaliation, Iran fires several rockets at U.S. Military bases located in Iraq wounding several soldiers.
February 2020
PM Benjamin Netanyahu is indicted of corruption
On February 4, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is indicted of corruption charges.
March 2020
The Corona Virus spreads
Covid-19 was largely contained within China, but by March the virus began to spread to other parts of the world. By the end of March, thousands of flights are grounded, and cruise ships docked.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates that in April 2020, 90% of all commercial aircraft worldwide are grounded.
Lockdown Begins
Daily life comes to a stand-still and consumer activity plummeted as major cities around the world go into a general lock-down.
Historic Global Job Losses
The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates some 1.6 billion people employed in the informal economy – or nearly half the global workforce – could see their livelihoods destroyed due to the continued decline in working hours brought on by lockdowns to curb the spread of COVID-19.
2020 Olympics are postponed
As the virus continues to spread, more and more countries announce that they will not send their athletes to Tokyo. As a result, the 2020 Olympics are officially postponed to summer 2021.
April 2020
Boris Johnson admitted to hospital with COVID-19
UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been admitted to hospital after testing positive for coronavirus.
Oil Prices Go Negative
For the first time in history oil prices crash below zero. As demands fall rapidly and storage nears capacity, the global gas and oil market remains extraordinarily supplied, with producers paying traders to take oil off their hands.
Knife Attack in France
A knife attack in south east-France left two people dead and another four injured as an attacker enters e tobacco shop attacking the owners and a customer, before moving to a nearby butcher shop.
Shooting in Nova Scotia
A man allegedly dressed as a police officer went on a shooting spree in Nova Scotia, killing 16 people and wounding dozens. It is revealed that the rampage may have been motivated by domestic violence.
May 2020
Black Lives Matter
On May 25, Minneapolis Police Department office Derek Chauvin was accused of killing George Floyd, by kneeling on his neck for nearly 10 minutes sparking months of protest with thousands of demonstrators. Body camera footage showed Floyd pleading for his life and saying “I can’t breathe” multiple times while he was under Chauvin’s knee.
Zoom booms as teleconferencing company
As the world works from home to curb the spread of covid-19 infections, the teleconferencing company Zoom has seen a massive increase in profits and has doubled its annual sales forecast turning a profit of $27m in the first quarter of 2020.
June 2020
Fuel Spill in Russia
On June 6, President Putin called a state of emergency in Norilsk after 20,000 tons of fuel spilled into a river. The first stage of cleanup has begun, but the environmental damages could be catastrophic. (CNN)
Tensions Rise Between China and India
On June 15, tensions between China and India rose after violent clashes in the Himalayas. Reports claim that the clashes began after Indian troops tore down a Chinese tent built the night before. About 20 Indian soldiers have died in the clash. (CNN)
Big Tech Market Cap Soaring during COVID-19 pandemic
Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Google (Alphabet), and Microsoft aka FAANGM market cap share of the S&P 500 soared 500% during the pandemic.
July 2020
Tesla overtakes Toyota to become world’s most valuable carmaker
The electric carmaker’s shares have climbed fivefold during the past year, from $230 about 12 months ago to $1,100 on Wednesday, taking the company’s market capitalization to $205bn. (FT)
August 2020
Beirut Blast
On 4 August 2020, a large amount of ammonium nitrate stored at the port of the city of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, caused a devasting explosion, resulting in at least 200 people killed, 6,500 injured. Beyond the human toll, the financial cost of this explosion is estimated at above $15 billion and leaves an estimated 300,000 people homeless.
US Wildfires
A record-breaking heatwave across the North American West coast resulted in ravaging wildfires across many areas. At least 77 wildfires have been burning in 15 states across the country with almost a third of them in California. The fires have burned nearly 14 million acres (about 140,000KM²) and have affected some 45 million people.
September 2020
Trump contracts COVID-19
The US President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, test positive for the COVID-19 virus and are forced to retreat into quarantine for a two-week period.
October 2020
Kuwait Monarch Dies
On October 3, Kuwait monarch Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah died at the age of 91. Sabah ruled the country for 14 years and was widely respected for his dedication to peace. (CNN)
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dies
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dies At 87 Ginsburg, the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court, died from complications from cancer.
November 2020
The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election
The 2020 United States presidential election was the 59th quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Joe Biden has been declared the winner of the presidential election, defeating Donald Trump. President Biden was the first candidate ever to raise $1 billion, while Trump raised $596 million.
Attack in Vienna
On November 2, gunmen went around bars and restaurants shooting. At least four people died and 22 more were injured during the attack. (CNN)
Nevada Shooting leaves for people dead
At least four people are dead including a possible suspect slain by police following shootings early Thanksgiving morning in the Nevada city of Henderson.
December 2020
The Third Wave of COVID-19 is here
As of 26 December 2020, the global caseload of COVID-19 cases stood at 80million, along with 1.7million deaths and 56million recoveries. Meanwhile, the new strain of the virus has been detected in 10 countries across Europe, Australia and Africa.
Pfizer & Moderna rolling out Covid-19 vaccine
Biotech giant Moderna announced earlier this week that their vaccine displayed “94.5% vaccine efficacy”, while Pfizer and BioNTech SE announced similarly positive results for their vaccine. Both companies said they’ve found that their vaccines worked against other variations of the novel coronavirus.
Final words
2020 was certainly a remarkable year marked by a plethora of disasters and challenges. From natural disasters, sickness, and the death of loved ones to work shortages and school closures, the pandemic’s ramifications have touched every part of society – and thrown inequalities into sharp relief.
May 2021 be the year of peace, love and prosperity.