2020 Timeline

Jan 1

Australia on fire

The country faced one of its most devastating wildfire seasons as the blazes continued from December 2019 into the new year and burned a record 47 million acres, displaced thousands of people, and killed at least 34 people.
Jan 30

Coronavirus outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) declares the outbreak of the 2019-nCoV as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the sixth time that this measure has been invoked since 2009.
Feb 11

COVID-19 pandemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) names the disease COVID-19.
Mar 16

Global lockdown

Since this day a lot of countries have started issuing lockdowns and other quarantine measures.
Mar 18

Eurovision gets canceled

The European Broadcasting Union announces that the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 will be canceled due to COVID-19 in Europe, the first cancellation in the contest's 64-year history.
Apr 2

Coronavirus cases amount hits one million

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 passes 1 million worldwide.
Apr 6

Forest fires in Ukraine lead to radiation

On April 6, firefighters attempted to put out forest fires near Chernobyl. Concerns rose as the radiation at the Chernobyl nuclear site was above normal.
Apr 20

US oil price goes negative

Oil prices fell below $0 as demand plummets and America runs out of room to store barrels of crude.
Apr 15

Kim Jong Un death rumors

The North Korean supreme leader fueled speculation that he was either gravely ill or dead after he missed events commemorating his grandfather Kim Il-sung on April 15. He reemerged 20 days later in photos released by state media at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
May 26

US protests

Protests caused by the killing of George Floyd break out across hundreds of cities in the U.S. and around the world. These are followed by further protests and rallies on June 6 against racism and police brutality around the world.
Jun 28

Coronavirus cases amount hits 10 million

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 passes 10 million worldwide. The U.S. continues to report the highest number of any country as it reaches 2.5 million, a quarter of all cases globally. The global death toll from COVID-19 exceeds 500,000
Jul 1

The eternal Putin

Russian voters back a constitutional amendment that, among other things, enables Vladimir Putin to seek two further six-year terms when his current term ends in 2024, potentially allowing him to remain in power until 2036.
Aug 4

Beirut explosion

An explosion caused by unsafely stored ammonium nitrate kills over 220 people, injures thousands, and severely damages the port in Beirut, Lebanon. Damage is estimated at $10–15 billion, and an estimated 300,000 people are left homeless. The following day, the Lebanese government declares a two-week state of emergency.
Aug 9

Belarus protests

A presidential election in Belarus that led to incumbent Alexander Lukashenko's reelection sparks protests throughout the country after major opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya rejected the results. Seven days later, the largest political march in Belarusian history takes place, with an estimated 300,000 people in Minsk and 200,000 in other Belarusian cities and towns
Sep 27

Nagorno-Karabakh war

Deadly clashes erupt in Nagorno-Karabakh between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces. Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Republic of Artsakh introduce martial law and mobilize forces
Sep 29

Coronavirus deaths case amount hits one million

The worldwide death toll from COVID-19 exceeds one million
Nov 7

Joe Biden becomes president-elect

Joe Biden became the 46th president of the United States on Nov. 7, defeating President Trump with a critical assist from his birth state, Pennsylvania, which delivered the votes to propel him to victory and end one of the most contentious elections in recent memory.
Nov 18

COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Pfizer and BioNTech complete trials on their COVID-19 vaccine, with an overall effectiveness rate of 95% without adverse events.
Dec 20

New strains of COVID-19

A highly infectious new strain of SARS-CoV-2 spreading in Europe and Australia, provoking international border closures
Dec 25

Christmas

This year is going to end in a few days, finally. It wasn't easy but, anyway, we've made it through. Merry Christmas, everyone!
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The Future

The future depends on you.

⌛ 2020 Timeline ⏳