After what has felt like the longest year in history, 2020 is finally coming to an end. 2020 has been filled with many unexpected events, good and bad. From the coronavirus to continued work on peace in the Middle East, this year has been one for the books. 

In January, people around the world started off 2020 hopeful for a prosperous and joyful new decade. Instead, the United States faced rising tensions with Iran. While the U.S. was on the brink of war, Australian wildfires took a turn for the worse. The coronavirus began to make national news as cases began increasing in China, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to issue a global health emergency. On Jan. 26, Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and seven others were killed in a fatal helicopter accident. 

In February, the Coronavirus continued to grow in China and began to spread around the world. The U.S. declared a public health emergency on Feb. 3. Despite the growing concern over COVID-19, the U.S. and the Taliban signed a peace deal to begin peace in Afghanistan on Feb. 29. Nearby tensions rose between Israel and Palestine after an attack on Israeli soldiers by Palestinians. 

By March, COVID-19 had been recognized as a worldwide issue, and the WHO declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic on March 11. Soon after, the U.S. began measures to ensure the safety of its citizens on March 13 by shutting down schools and larger events like the NBA, Broadway shows, and theme parks. Many Asian countries were in the midst of the pandemic by this time. On March 27, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES)  Act was put into action in the U.S. By the end of March, the world had gone into lockdown. The lockdown led to the concern of canceled Spring and Summer events, including the 2020 Summer Olympics. 

In April, lockdown continued globally as scientists began to search for a vaccine or better preventative measures. Meanwhile, conflict in the Middle East and Africa continued with protests in Israel and Syria and shootings in Lebanon. In North Korea, Kim Jong Un was speculated to be sick or even deceased. 

In May, Coronavirus continued to spread, but there was hope as cases began to fall ever so slightly and a vaccine was in the works. Protests continued to occur around the world. After George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis, Minn. on May 25, the US broke out in protest over the social injustices faced by African Americans in the U.S. Along with all of this, Kim Jong Un was confirmed to be alive and well.

In June, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement went worldwide, as people all over the globe stood in solidarity with the black community. COVID-19 cases fluctuated around the globe as hope for a vaccine brought light to the situation. In Yemen, the humanitarian crisis continued to worsen due to the border issues, COVID-19, and the hunger crisis.

July, like the rest of the year, was eventful in its own way. Coronavirus continued to affect millions around the world. There was even concern over a small outbreak of the Bubonic plague in China. Soon after, Kanye announced his run for presidency in the U.S. In France, the Nantes Cathedral caught fire on July 18. Meanwhile, protests and violence continued worldwide.

In August, the world was still dealing with the Coronavirus, but hopes of the vaccine were finally coming true. Outside of COVID-19 news, there was a deadly explosion in Beirut on Aug. 4, which was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate and killed over 200 people. Around the same time, in Asia, China launched what they called ‘test missiles’ into the disputed South China Sea. 

In September, the Coronavirus continued to be a global issue. Meanwhile, China faced many problems, such as protests in Hong Kong and issues with India. The U.S. geared up for the important 2020 presidential election. 

In October, the coronavirus cases continued to both rise and fall around the world. Despite this, there was still progress going on diplomatically as Israel and Sudan reached a peace agreement. 

November started off with the United States presidential election. Following the election, there was much dispute over who won, and it was eventually called for Joe Biden. The Coronavirus began to worsen as news of a vaccine by December was released. 

Now we are in December and COVID-19 cases are rising, forcing states to implement new restrictions on holiday gatherings. The world has seen some of its deadliest days of the virus this month. Despite this, two vaccines are being released to the public in the UK, U.S., and Canada for medical workers and those that are at high risk. President Trump is still fighting election results in many states. Diplomatically, the U.S. dropped Sudan from its terrorist list. In Brazil, COVID-19 vaccines are causing uprisings. 

This year has, without a doubt, been one of the toughest years that our generation has faced; however, the world has rallied together to be the light in the darkness. Even through all of the death and destruction, humans have a way of finding the good in every situation. Hopefully, we all come away from this year with a greater sense of family and community. I know that we are all looking forward to 2021.