As we began to transition into a new era dominated by social media and advancements in AI, 2024 offered plenty of surprises. Here’s a look back at the events that defined the year.

Global Highlights

This year, the world witnessed historical events that reshaped foreign relations and inspired activism. 

• United States Presidential Election: As the nation continued to divide itself, former President Donald Trump survived two assassination attempts to win the 2024 Presidential Election over current Vice President Kamala Harris.

• Middle East Conflict: Tensions in the Middle East continued to rise, with no recognizable end to the conflict in sight. Talks between U.S and Arab mediators have brought discussion of a potential ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

• Russia-Ukraine Conflict: The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to have a widespread global effect as Russian President Vladimir Putin does not seem willing to concede in Russia’s attempt to take over Ukraine’s territory. 

• Climate Change Crisis: With 2024 officially becoming the hottest year on record, surpassing 2023, there is increasing concern over the worsening climate crisis leading to new climate policies and widespread activism. 

Very Demure, Very Mindful

Despite all the global challenges, the internet managed to put a smile on our faces in a year that was marked by creative expression and cultural phenomena.

• “Kenough”: The unlikely cultural phenomenon that was “Barbenheimer” sparked memes and led to record box office sales. Ryan Gosling’s performance of “I’m Just Ken” at the Oscars was the highlight of a night which saw Oppenheimer win Best Picture and lead actor Cillian Murphy win Best Actor.

• Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour: The Eras Tour grossed over $2 billion in ticket sales, becoming the only concert tour to gross over a billion dollars. As of December 15, her album The Tortured Poet’s Department logged its 17th week at #1 on the Billboard 200. 

• “Brat Summer”: Charli XCX released her sixth studio album Brat, which inspired vintage clothing trends and an aesthetic which effectively reached multiple generations. 

• Prequels and Sequels: Anticipation for the popular Broadway adaptation Wicked continued to build, with the musical being a prequel to The Wizard of Oz. Sequels to the Dune and Gladiator franchises were also released and performed well in the box office. 

• They Not Like Us: The Kendrick Lamar-Drake beef erupted after the release of “Like That” by Future, Metro Boomin, and Lamar on Future’s new album, “We Don’t Trust You.”

• “Elderly Abuse”: Jake Paul (27) defeats Mike Tyson (58) in the largest streaming event in history, peaking at over 65 million concurrent viewers. The 31-year age gap sparked controversy with popular YouTuber and influencer KSI calling the fight “Elderly Abuse.”

Sports 

From historical milestones to championship-winning performances, 2024 was a great year for sports fans.

• Olympics: The Paris Summer Olympics celebrated athletic excellence from 206 different countries and introduced new sports like breakdancing in which we saw Australian breakdancer Raygun receive backlash for a controversial performance that was the highlight of the Games. 

• LeBron James Makes History: At the age of 39, LeBron James officially became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest of all time. 

• College Football Playoff (Jan 8): The Michigan Wolverines claimed their 12th national title with a decisive win over the Washington Huskies.

• Super Bowl LVIII (Feb 11): Taylor Swift’s celebrity was the storyline of the 2023-24 season which saw the Kansas City Chiefs triumph over the San Francisco 49ers in a close game, while Usher delivered a memorable halftime show.

• March Madness: South Carolina’s women’s team defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes and Caitlin Clark while the UConn’s men’s team won their second championship in a row.

• NBA Finals (June 17): The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks, claiming their record-breaking 18th title.

• World Series (Oct 30): The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in 5 games, adding to their franchise’s historic baseball legacy. 

Science & Technology

Innovation took center stage in 2024 as humanity continued to push boundaries in space and technology: 

• Solar Eclipse: For 4 minutes and 28 seconds, people across North America experienced a total solar eclipse. This event was the first total eclipse since August 2017 and the last until March 2044.

• AI Integration: The introduction of AI in gene-editing technology has contributed to discoveries in life science. The purpose of AI was to manage and analyze data, leading to improved manufacturing processes and the development of therapy for genetic diseases. 

• Developments in Space Exploration: NASA launched the Europa Clipper, the largest planetary probe ever to explore Jupiter’s moon Europa. The mission’s purpose is to investigate the potential habitability of the planet and is set to land in April 2030. 

• Reaching New Heights: After losing a rocket earlier in the year, SpaceX’s Starship achieved a successful return and capture in its sixth test flight becoming the biggest and most powerful rocket ever to fly.

• Apple’s Vision Pro: Apple entered the virtual reality world with the Apple Vision Pro, offering immersive virtual reality experiences. The company also entered the AI space with Apple Intelligence which has already received backlash for fake news headlines.