World Events · 2021
A Year of Transitions, Turmoil, and Vaccines
The year 2021 was defined by the historic global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines alongside lingering pandemic disruptions. From dramatic political upheavals in Washington and Kabul to economic shockwaves in the Suez Canal, the world faced a turbulent path toward recovery.
- January 6, 2021 | United States
U.S. Capitol Attack
Supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol building in a violent attempt to overturn the certified results of the 2020 presidential election.
- February 1, 2021 | Myanmar
Myanmar Military Coup
Myanmar's armed forces seized power in a violent coup, detaining civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and sparking widespread pro-democracy opposition across the country.
- February 18, 2021 | Outer Space
Perseverance Rover Lands on Mars
NASA's Perseverance rover successfully touched down in Jezero Crater on Mars, later deploying the Ingenuity helicopter to complete the first powered flight on another planet.
- March 23–29, 2021 | Egypt
Ever Given Blocks Suez Canal
The 400-meter-long container ship Ever Given wedged itself across the Suez Canal for six days, halting billions of dollars in international maritime trade.
- 2021 | Global Health
Global COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
Nations across the globe launched historic mass immunization campaigns, administering billions of vaccine doses to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
- August 15, 2021 | Afghanistan
Taliban Recaptures Kabul
Taliban fighters captured Kabul as U.S. and NATO forces finalized their withdrawal, ending a twenty-year war and initiating a dramatic airlift evacuation of foreign personnel and refugees.
- August 14, 2021 | Haiti
Devastating Haiti Earthquake
A powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Haiti, killing over 2,200 people, injuring thousands, and compounding an existing socio-political crisis.
- November 2021 | United Kingdom
COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow
World leaders gathered at COP26 to negotiate the Glasgow Climate Pact, marking the first international deal explicitly committing to phase down unabated coal power.
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