The year of 2024 was one of political upheaval, natural disasters, foreign and domestic government strife and athletic greatness. Reflecting on 2024, here are some of the most memorable and newsworthy events from the past 12 months.
Antisemitism On College Campuses
As a result of the Israel-Hamas War, many pro-Palestinian student activists started protesting. Protests included hate signs, violent chants, temporary suspensions and arrests. Protests occurred at universities such as Columbia, Harvard and UCLA, which quickly shifted into antisemitic acts. For example, UCLA students physically blocked Jewish students from walking across campus, which U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi ruled was illegal. Additionally, as a result of the antisemitism, Harvard’s former president Claudine Gay resigned from her seat due to the controversy. Currently, according to nytimes.com, colleges and universities have tightened rules around protests and are implementing stricter punishments.
Hurricanes
Hurricane Debby, a Category 1 hurricane, occurred from Aug. 5-9. Debby hit the East Coast and Florida, causing torrential rainfall, flash and street flooding, according to the Florida Climate Center. With about $28 billion done in damage, this hurricane affected many people, destroying homes, schools and bridges and roads closing. According to pbsnews.com, eight people died because of Hurricane Debby.
Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 hurricane with peak winds at 140 mph, occurred from Sept. 24-27. Helene hit the Southern Appalachian mountains in North Carolina and the Gulf of Florida. Helene caused rain, storm surges, flooding and tornadic activity, according to the Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District. Additionally, according to abcnews.com, more than 230 people died and Helene caused nearly $250 billion in damage.
Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 hurricane, occurred from Oct. 5-10. Milton hit the Gulf of Florida and, according to cnn.com, resulted in an economic loss of about $30 million. There was significant damage including flooding, power outages and storm surges, causing 35 casualties.
The Paris Olympics
The 2024 Paris Olympics occurred from July 26-Aug. 11. America won the most medals, with a total of 126 including 40 gold, 44 silver and 42 bronze. In a close 2nd, China won a total of 91 medals with 40 gold, 27 silver and 24 bronze. According to CBS, 65 percent of American winners were first-time medalists and women’s rugby won their first ever olympic medal. The Olympics generated about a 0.25 pp increase in gross domestic product for France, according to Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking and it averaged 30.6 million viewers across platforms according to Forbes.
Sean “Diddy” Combs
On Sept. 16, Musician Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested for a wide array of charges, including sexual assault and sex trafficking. Fans were shocked to hear the accusations about Combs’s infamous “Diddy Parties,” where Diddy and his associates would allegedly drug, kidnap and abuse people. With accusations from over 120 individuals, both male and female, over the past 34 years, the rapper, record producer and record executive is finally set to face trial on May 5, 2025.
UnitedHealthcare Assassination
On Dec. 4, Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot and killed in New York City. Days after the shooting, a McDonald’s employee in Pennsylvania called the local police saying that they thought they spotted the man wanted for the murder. Police responded and identified the suspect as Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old University of Pennsylvania graduate, who was taken into custody at the scene. He was found with a homemade gun, a manifesto detailing his hatred for the health care system and foreign currency. Mangione was indicted and charged with first-degree murder, an act of terrorism, two counts of second-degree murder and other felonies associated with guns and forgery.
The Fall of Assad
On Dec. 8, the Syrian Arab Republic, led by Bashar al-Assad, collapsed. The Assad family has ruled Syria as a strict dictatorship for the past 50 years, oppressing many Syrians. With a large group of citizens disagreeing with Assad’s rule, the Syrian National Army was formed in 2011. Now known as the “rebels,” they swept through Syria on Nov. 27 in a surprise attack that immediately flipped the country against Assad and his regime. Assad and his family have fled to Russia with the help of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Syria is now transitioning into a new phase of political power. Mohammed Al-Bashir, a government leader linked to the rebels, has been appointed the temporary prime minister.
The Presidential Election
This year was a political rollercoaster. While campaigning, former President Donald Trump was on trial and convicted on 34 felony counts for various crimes dealing with business and money laundering.
Just over one month later on July 13, during one of Trump’s rallies in Butler, PA, he was the victim of an unsuccessful assassination attempt, leaving his ear bloodied as he posed for a picture that would end up going down in history. Eight days later, President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 election race, allowing Vice President Kamala Harris to step up as the Democratic candidate.
On Nov. 5, Trump, won his second presidential election with 312 electoral votes.
Professional Sports
NFL: This year, the Kansas City Chiefs took home their second consecutive Super Bowl Championship. With an 11-6 season record, the Chiefs dominated throughout the season and ultimately beat the San Francisco 49ers in overtime.
MLB: The Los Angeles Dodgers won their 8th World Series championship in franchise history this year against the New York Yankees with a 7-6 victory in Game 5 of the World Series and a 98-64 regular season record. Star players including Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, helped the Dodgers jump out to a 3-0 lead in the World Series and finished strong by winning the series 4-1.
NHL: With a 50 percent increase in ticket sales from 2 years prior, the NHL’s Florida Panthers saw an all-time high in attendance this year, and the fanbase was rewarded for their dedication. After a dominant 52-win season, Coach Paul Maurice led the Panthers to their first ever Stanley Cup in a tight 7-game series against the Edmonton Oilers. In the 2024-2025 season, they currently lead the Atlantic division with 17 wins and 9 losses.
NBA: Last season the Boston Celtics took home their 18th Championship trophy, led by all-stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. With the win, the Celtics passed the Lakers for the most championships in NBA history. After winning his first championship following a championship loss in 2021, Tatum went viral for saying, “WE DID IT” and questioning “What they gon’ say now?”