2020 was a year marked by significant events and challenges. It was definitely one of those years that can be described as a “dumpster fire”. Nobody really wants to remember that year, but the history buff inside me wants to cover it, so I’ll be forging ahead with this post.
Here are 22 Notable Events That Happened in 2020
1. The COVID-19 pandemic happened
The pandemic was caused by the novel coronavirus, emerged in late 2019 and spread rapidly throughout the world in 2020. The pandemic had a significant impact on public health and the global economy, leading to widespread lockdowns, travel restrictions, and economic disruptions.
2. The United States held a presidential election
This happened in November 2020 and Joe Biden was elected as the 46th President of the United States. The election was marked by controversy, with incumbent President Donald Trump alleging without evidence that the election was stolen from him.
3. Black Lives Matter Protests and demonstrations happened
These protest and demonstrations against racial injustice and police violence swept across the United States and other countries in 2020, following the killing of George Floyd, a Black man, by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The protests sparked a national conversation about racial equality and police reform.
4. The United Kingdom officially left the European Union
This officially happened on January 31, 2020, following a referendum in which a majority of UK voters supported leaving the EU. The process of negotiating the terms of the UK’s withdrawal and its future relationship with the EU was a contentious and complex process.
5. Scientists announced the detection of gravitational waves emanating from the collision of two black holes
These collissions happened more than a billion years ago and were detected using the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). This groundbreaking discovery helped confirm Einstein’s theory of general relativity and opened up new avenues for studying the universe.
6. Scientists at the Large Hadron Collider announced the discovery of a new subatomic particle
The particle was called a pentaquark. This discovery could provide insights into the fundamental nature of matter and the forces that hold it together.
7. Researchers made significant progress in developing new technologies for generating renewable energy
The technologies include solar panels that can produce electricity from rain, and advanced battery technologies for storing energy from renewable sources.
8. Scientists announced the development of a potentially wearable artificial organ in 2020
This could help people with damaged organs or those awaiting organ transplants. The artificial organ, called the “biowearable,” uses living cells to perform functions such as filtering blood or producing hormones.
9. Many film and television productions were put on hold or delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
It was difficult to maintain social distancing on sets and there were travel restrictions in place. This resulted in a backlog of content and a shortage of new releases. Some studios opted to release their films on streaming platforms rather than waiting for theaters to reopen, while others delayed their releases until theaters could safely reo.pen.
According to a report by the Motion Picture Association (MPA), the global box office was down by more than 70% in 2020 compared to the previous year, with a loss of approximately $11 billion in revenues. The report also estimates that the global film and television industry lost around $160 billion in revenue due to the pandemic.
10. COVID-19 also impacted the Music Industry
According to a report by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the global music industry saw a decline in revenues of approximately 20% in 2020 compared to the previous year. This decline was due to a variety of factors, including the cancellation of live events, the closure of music venues, and the decline in physical sales and streaming revenues.
A large number of music festivals were cancelled or postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic, including major events such as Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Glastonbury. This was due to the difficulties of maintaining social distancing and other public health measures at large-scale events, as well as travel restrictions and other logistical challenges.
Some music festivals were held virtually in 2020, with artists performing remotely and streaming their performances online. These virtual festivals allowed music fans to experience the festival atmosphere from the safety of their own homes.
11. People enjoyed “dalgona coffee”
The “dalgona coffee” trend, which involves whipping instant coffee, sugar, and hot water into a creamy foam and serving it over ice, became popular on social media in 2020.
12. It was the year of the “Toilet Paper” Challenge
People attempted to balance a roll of toilet paper on their heads or other parts of their bodies (most likely out of boredom) and it became a viral trend on social media in 2020.
13. It was the year that the world discovered the “Dancing Pallbearers”
A group of pallbearers in Ghana who were known for dancing with the coffins of the deceased during funerals became a viral sensation on social media in 2020.
14. People sang and enjoyed Sea Shantys from December 2020
The trend was sparked by a number of viral videos featuring sea shanties being shared on the platform, leading to a surge in interest in the genre. The trend was largely driven by the release of “Wellerman,” a sea shanty written in the 1800s and popularized by the group The Longest Johns. The song gained widespread attention after being featured in a number of TikTok videos, leading to a surge in streaming and sales of the song.
The trend of sea shanties on TikTok led to a revival of interest in the genre and a renewed appreciation for the rich history and cultural significance of sea shanties in 2021. The trend also spawned a number of cover versions and remixes of sea shanties, as well as the creation of new, original sea shanty content.
15. Africa was declared Polio-Free
On 25 August 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Africa had achieved certification-standard wild poliovirus (WPV) eradication, meaning that the continent had gone three years without any cases of WPV. This was a significant milestone in the global effort to eradicate polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that can cause paralysis and death.
16. Scotland made period products free for all
Scotland made history in November by becoming the first nation in the world to guarantee free and universal access to period products. Campaigners welcomed the move, claiming Scotland was setting a “bloody great example” for other nations to follow.
17. There were a bunch of animal baby booms
Kenya reported in August 2020 that its elephant population has more than doubled from 16,000 in 1989 to 34,000 in 2020. Uganda reported a gorilla baby boom in 2020. Mountain gorillas in the country have been breeding in “unprecedented” numbers, according to conservationists at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
18. Progress was made in tackling malaria and tuberculosis
The World Health Organization revealed in November 2020 that malaria deaths have reached the lowest level ever recorded, a drop of almost 60 per cent in the last 20 years. It means that between 2000 and 2019, 1.5 billion malaria cases and 7.6 million malaria deaths were averted globally.
The WHO also published its annual tuberculosis report in November 2020, showing that between 2015 and 2019, global deaths fell by 14 per cent. Since 2000, treatments had averted more than 60 million deaths.
19. Kazakhstan abolished the death penalty
The nation joined an international protocol on the abolition of the death penalty in September 2020, becoming the 88th signatory nation.
20. Saudi Arabia banned child marriage in 2020
The Middle Eastern nation made 18 the minimum age to be married. In 2019, the government banned marriages for children under the age of 15. Before that, there were no age limits on marriage for boys or girls. The new ban had a loophole: teenagers undmaer the age of 18 can still get married if they are granted approval by a special court.
21. The Taal Volcano errupted in the Philippines
This happened on the 12th of January 2020, 43 years after it’s previous erruption in 1977.
22. The Abraham Accords Were Signed
The Abraham Accords refer to historic agreements signed in 2020 between Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. These diplomatic agreements aim to normalize relations, promote economic cooperation, and enhance regional stability. The accords mark a significant shift in Middle East dynamics, fostering diplomatic ties between Israel and Arab nations.
Well, there you have it, 22 notable events in 2020. If I left out something important, feel free to comment below. Feedback is appreciated and welcome here.
Watch this space for updates in the History category on Interesting Facts.
Craving fresh facts in your Inbox? Get Factual! Subscribe To Our Newsletter.
Explore our website or feel free to check out a list of related posts below.
For the latest Entertainment News (and more), check out Running Wolf's Rant.
If you live in South Africa and you're looking for a live music gig or music festival to attend, feel free to check out The SA Gig Guide (on our sister site SA Music Zone).
Worried about cybersecurity? Protect your loved ones with mSpy, the trusted Parental Control solution since 2011. Whether monitoring your child's online activities, managing company devices, or ensuring relationship transparency, mSpy keeps you informed and secure. Take control today!
