By Meredith Stewart

1. Coronavirus

This deadly disease changed the lives of everyone in one way or another. Rumors of a virus originating in Wuhan, China spread in the early days of the past year. The World Health Organization confirmed the existence of this new sickness on January 9th, 2020. Now we’re celebrating a year of masked faces and nonexistent social lives!

2. Police Brutality

The murder of George Floyd provoked racial tensions and a desire for change by way of the historic Black Lives Matter movement. During the hot summer months of 2020, most protesters marched through populated cities peacefully. However, they were met with brutality from police officers often with no justification. Where was that force when violent rioters recently scaled the walls of the U.S. Capitol?

3. World War 3?

Conflict between the U.S. and Iran raised questions about the potential of a third world war. Luckily, 2020 spared us from that ordeal, but who’s to say it won’t happen in 2021?

4. Raging Wildfires

Not only did bush fires continue to burn through Australia, but the California wildfires reached new heights of destruction. These fires led to several fatalities and thousands of displaced people, not to mention the millions of acres of land they scorched.

5. Stock Market Crash

Due to the coronavirus of course, a global recession occurred. On March 9th, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had its worst day ever. I don’t really know what that means, but I think it was pretty devastating for the economy.

6. Kobe Bryant’s Death

On January 26th, Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, were killed in a helicopter crash. If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that sometimes tragedy strikes for absolutely no reason.

7. Megxit

Many (including me) were disappointed with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step away from their royal duties on January 8th, 2020. Not to mention, the new season of The Crown was especially depressing this year.

8. Murder Hornets

A giant species of hornets migrated to North America!

9. The 2020 Olympics

I was looking forward to the Olympics in 2020, but unsurprisingly they were rescheduled for 2021 due to the pandemic. Something to look forward to this summer!

10. 2021 Is Starting Off Strong

Sure, an angry mob of rioters violently stormed the U.S. Capitol, but at least the Browns made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2002!