2018 was a hectic and calamitous year. It wasn’t my favorite, for sure, and I know many share this sentiment. But not all was bad: we saw the world unite in celebration with the World Cup, and we saw many empowered women as a result of the American midterm elections. Here’s a brief recap of the biggest news of the year to gain at least some perspective beyond the chaos.
February
1. Winter Games
The 2018 Winter Games, known as the PyeongChang Games, took place in South Korea amid straining political tensions with their neighbors in the north, highlighting decades of conflict between the two nations. North Korea raised concerns due to their missile and nuclear tests.
2. Parkland High School shooting
Also known as the Stoneman Douglas Shooting, in Parkland, Florida, this was the first major mass shooting of 2018. A gunman opened fire and killed seventeen students and staff members, making it the deadliest shooting at a high school in the history of the US—which is saying a lot.
Photo by Fabrice Florin
March
3. Stephen Hawking died
The beloved British theoretical physicist was a prominent figure in both the scientific community and the social sphere. Diagnosed in 1963 with ALS, doctors estimated he had only two years to live back then. Against all odds and with incredible strength, he fought the disease for over 50 years, achieving amazing things along the way.
April
4. Trump implemented controversial policies on the Mexican border
Though the family separation policy was suspended in June, Trump’s administration has infamously maintained harsh immigration policies to this day.
5. Cuba’s Castro era came to an end
Well, kind of. Raúl Castro, Fidel Castro’s brother, stepped down from the presidency on April 19th, ending a decades-long dynastic rule. Raúl Castro was succeeded by Miguel Díaz-Canel, though the former still remains First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, which keeps ruling the country.
The Castro brothers: Fidel on the left, Raúl on the right.
May
6. Fourth term for Putin
Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, was sworn in for a fourth term in May, as tensions with the west have marred his government for several years now. His controversial policies and outright problematic views on human rights have made him an unpopular figure in most Western countries—except for the Trump administration, apparently.
7. Santa Fe High School shooting
Another shooting, this time in Santa Fe, Texas, left ten people dead.
8. Royal Wedding
Prince Harry, of the British royal family, married American actress Meghan Markle in a lavish ceremony on May 19th at Windsor Castle. Since then, Markle has become a beloved figure and a fashion icon.
9. Venezuela votes?
Widely considered a sham election, held purely for show, Nicolás Maduro was supposedly re-elected for a second six-year term on May 20th. It’s worth noting the voter turnout was a mere 25%, the lowest in Venezuelan history.
10. Ireland ended abortion ban
On May 25th, the Irish people successfully voted to repeal the 1983 Eighth Amendment, which gave an equal value to the lives of both unborn fetuses and mothers. The referendum overwhelmingly showed the preference in favor of abortion rights, as 66% voted to repeal the amendment, against the 33% who voted to keep it.
Via Flickr
June
11. World Cup
The 21st FIFA World Cup was held in Russia, and in spite of international discontent both at the Russian government and at FIFA’s corruption, it was ultimately a successful celebration of the most popular sport in the world. France took the cup home after a gripping match against Croatia.
12. Saudi Arabia issued first driving licenses to women
The Middle Eastern country banned women from driving until King Salman issued an order in 2017 to implement new guidelines. On June 24th, the ban was officially lifted. However, several activists remain in detention.
13. First transgender woman to win beauty pageant
Ángela Ponce Camacho made history as the first transgender woman to become Miss Spain, thus becoming the first transgender contestant competing for the Miss Universe title in December.
Ángela Ponce, via Pinterest
July
14. Mexico voted for the left
Mexico held one of its most fateful general elections, decisively won by the left-leaning party known as Morena. Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador became the new president at the beginning of December.
August
15. Argentina’s senate failed to legalize abortion
Lawmakers voted against a bill to legalize abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, in spite of the fact that the bill showed strong public support.
16. John McCain died
The American senator from Arizona had been battling brain cancer since 2017 and died shortly before his 82nd birthday.
September
17. Brett Kavanaugh hearing
After Donald Trump nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by Anthony Kennedy, several accusations of sexual harassment were brought forward against the nominee. After a complex but quick hearing, Kavanaugh was confirmed.
October
18. A Caravan marched north
A migrant caravan set out from Central America with the intention of arriving at the US border to ask for asylum. The migrants were running from poor and dangerous conditions in their country, mostly Honduras, seeking a better life. The media offered intensive coverage of the situation, and Trump’s reaction was infamously hostile.
Photo by @thetenementmuseum
19. Pittsburgh synagogue shooting
Another shooting in the US, this time with anti-Semitic motivations. Eleven people were killed during the day’s Shabbat morning services, the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in US history.
20. Bolsonaro’s rise to power
Jair Bolsonaro won Brazil’s general election, marking a considerable victory for the right in Latin America.
Jair Bolsonaro
November
21. Midterm elections
The midterms offered numerous surprises and several good news. The amount of elected female officials was a highlight, especially Ocasio-Cortez’s victory.
22. California Wildfires
This year’s wildfire season has been the deadliest and most destructive in history, adding to the mounting evidence of climate change and its terrible effects. The season begun around the end of July and culminated in November’s devastating Camp and Woolsey Fires, costing over $3.5 billion in damages and killing more than 80 people.
23. Thousand Oaks shooting
Yet another deadly shooting, resulting in thirteen victims. 2018 was the deadliest year (in terms of mass shootings) in US history. The US has had more mass shootings than any other country, and the majority of perpetrators have been white males.
24. Stan Lee died
The beloved figure of the comic books world, co-creator of Spider-Man and many other iconic superheroes, died at the ripe age of 95.
25. George H. W. Bush died
The ex-president was 94 years old, the longest-lived president in US history.
December
26. Climate change summit
The COP24 Environmental Summit started on December 3rd, in Katowice, Poland, and is expected to last until December 14th. Much hangs in the balance with this United Nations conference for climate change negotiations—the future of humankind, for instance.
27. Mass shooting in Strasbourg
A man opened fire on civilians in Strasbourg, France, killing five.
28. Theresa May survives confidence vote following negotiations pressure
Following a period of intense criticism against Britain’s Prime Minister, mostly stemming from her apparent inability to secure favorable terms in the Brexit negotiations with the European Union, a vote of confidence was held to decide whether she should remain in power. In the end, she emerged victorious.
29. ISIS lost final urban stronghold
The threat of ISIS has finally been subdued after the terrorist group lost its grip on its last urban stronghold in Syria, after Kurdish-led fighters drove them away.
The year is not yet over, but it’s safe to say this list represented a meaningful recap of 2018. Let’s hope we can go into the New Year on a better note.
(Cover photo by Eduardo Miranda)
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Is This The Beginning Of The End For Trump?
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