by Maddie Levans
2017: From controversial elected leaders to devastating natural disasters, 2017 has been one of the most tumultuous years in the 21st century. So, going back to January, take a look back at the major world events from 2017.
January
- Jan. 8: The 74th Golden Globes are held, and Damien Chazelle’s La La Land takes home seven awards.
- Jan. 20: President Trump is sworn into office as the 45th President of the United States.
- Jan 21: Millions of Americans protest President Trump’s inauguration, including the Women’s March on Washington.
- Jan 27: President Trump issues a travel ban, prohibiting travel and immigration from seven Middle-Eastern countries.
February
- Feb 3: Seattle district court Judge James Robert blocks President Trump’s travel ban.
- Feb. 5: The New England Patriots are the new Super Bowl champions, after having played in the first overtime Super Bowl game in league history.
- Feb. 12: North Korea fires a missile over the Sea of Japan, flaunting their nuclear capabilities.
- Feb. 26: The 89th Academy Awards are held in Hollywood, La La Land winning six awards total.
March
- Mar. 8: Congress passes legislation mandating that NASA send humans to Mars by 2033.
- Mar. 18: Legendary rock guitarist Chuck Berry dies at the age of 90.
- Mar. 20: (Former) FBI Director James Comey announces an investigation into Russian influence during the 2016 election cycle.
- Mar. 28: Michigan settles in an $87 million lawsuit that requires them to install lead-free plumbing systems in Flint, Michigan.
April
- Apr. 7: Neil Gorsuch is appointed to the Supreme Court by President Trump.
- Apr. 19: Aaron Hernandez, former New England Patriot, commits suicide while in prison.
- Apr. 22: Emmanuel Macron wins the largest percentage of first-round votes for the office of President.
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May
- May 4: Venezuelan protests against a growing authoritarian regime under Nicolas Maduro, with over 40 casualties reported as of May 2017.
- May 14: Emmanuel Macron becomes the president of France.
- May 22: 22 people, including children, are killed in a terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande Concert in London.
- May 27: Gregg Allman, founding member of the Allman Brothers Band, passes away at the age of 70.
June
- June 2: The United States withdrawals from the Paris Agreement, a coalition of countries aimed at reducing pollution and limiting the effects of climate change.
- June 12: One year has passed since the Pulse nightclub shooting, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
- June 16: Amazon buys organic grocery chain Whole Foods for $13.7 billion.
- June 26: The Supreme Court reissues certain provisions of the President’s travel ban, announcing plans to negotiate the order more thoroughly in October.
July
- July 2: Australian boxer Jeff Horn beats Manny Pacquiao win the WBOworld welterweight belt.
- July 10: Mosul is released from ISIS control.
- July 20: Chester Bennington, frontman of Linkin Park, is found dead at the age of 41.
- July 25: Documents concerning the death of John F. Kennedy are declassified.
August
- Aug. 5: The United nations places more sanctions on North Korea as a result of their frequent nuclear testing.
- Aug. 12: White nationalist riots in Charlottesville, NC lead to the death of one and injury of 19 others.
- Aug. 21: A total solar eclipse passes over North America for the first time since 1979.
- Aug. 30: Hurricane Harvey devastates the Southern U.S., flooding Louisiana and Texas with over 51 inches of rain.
September
- Sep. 3: Ballistics testing proves that North Korea’s nuclear capacity is becoming larger.
- Sep. 15: After its 15-year mission, the spacecraft Cassini ends its mission on Saturn.
- Sep. 20: Hurricane Maria devistates Puerto Rico, killing at least 64 people and leaving thousands missing or homeless.
- Sep. 25: Australia announces plans to create a nationwide space agency.
October
- Oct. 2: 58 people are killed during an outdoor concert in Las Vegas, marking the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
- Oct. 5: The New York Times publishes a list of women accusing Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault, sparking a movement allowing victims of sexual assault speak freely about their experiences.
- Oct. 30: Saudi Arabian women will be given the right to attend public sporting events, furthering the rights of Saudi women.
- Oct. 31: Eight people are killed during a terrorist attack near New York’s World Trade Center, ISIS later claiming the attack.
November
- Nov. 1: The Houston Astros win the World Series.
- Nov. 15: Rapper Lil Peep is found dead after an apparent drug overdose at the age of 21.
- Nov. 19: Charles Manson, infamous cult leader from the 1960s, dies at age 83.
- Nov. 22: Ratko Mladic, former Serbian general during the Bosnian Genocide of 1995, is sentenced to life in prison by the ICJ.
December
- Dec. 7: Australia legalizes same-sex marriage.
- Dec. 5: A North Korean soldier defects across the border into South Korea, being the third one to do so in 2017.
- Dec. 14: The five year anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting is remembered nationwide.
- Dec. 28: Protests break out in Iran against Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s current regime.