What Was Happening in 2020
A pandemic shut down the world and nothing was ever quite the same
World Events in 2020
COVID-19 Pandemic
A novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China spread across the world, triggering lockdowns, overwhelming hospitals, and killing millions. By December, over 1.8 million had died globally. Economies cratered, schools closed, and daily life was transformed beyond recognition.
Murder of George Floyd and BLM Protests
On 25 May, George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on his neck for over nine minutes. The killing, filmed by a bystander, sparked the largest protest movement in US history and global Black Lives Matter demonstrations.
Joe Biden Elected US President
Biden defeated incumbent Donald Trump in November's election, winning 306 electoral votes. Trump refused to concede, claiming widespread fraud without evidence, setting the stage for the January 6 Capitol attack the following year.
UK Leaves the European Union
The UK formally left the EU on 31 January, ending 47 years of membership. An 11-month transition period followed. A trade deal was agreed on Christmas Eve, just days before the deadline, avoiding a no-deal exit.
Beirut Port Explosion
On 4 August, 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored at Beirut's port exploded, killing 218 people and devastating large areas of the Lebanese capital. The blast was felt 240 kilometres away and was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history.
COVID-19 Vaccines Approved
In December, the UK became the first Western country to approve a COVID-19 vaccine, with 90-year-old Margaret Keenan receiving the first Pfizer-BioNTech jab. The vaccines, developed in under a year, represented the fastest vaccine development in history.
Music in 2020
"Blinding Lights"
The Weeknd
The Weeknd's synth-pop masterpiece was the most-streamed song of 2020 globally and spent a total of four weeks at UK number one across multiple runs. Its 1980s-inspired sound provided an escapist soundtrack to lockdown.
"Blinding Lights"
The Weeknd
Despite never reaching the official Billboard Hot 100 number one spot (due to chart technicalities), 'Blinding Lights' was the number one song of 2020 on Billboard's year-end chart and became the most-streamed song on Spotify at the time.
#1 Film of 2020
Bad Boys for Life
Box Office: $426 million
In a year when cinemas were mostly closed, the Will Smith and Martin Lawrence sequel topped the worldwide box office. It was released in January before lockdowns began. Many major releases were delayed to 2021 or moved to streaming platforms.
Born in 2020
Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor
Daughter of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (born June 2021, but the pandemic generation begins here)
Children of 2020
The pandemic generation — born into lockdowns, masks, and a world turned upside down
Lost in 2020
Kobe Bryant
Basketball legend, five-time NBA champion with the LA Lakers
Age 41
Chadwick Boseman
Actor (Black Panther, 42, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom)
Age 43
Sean Connery
Actor, the original James Bond
Age 90
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
US Supreme Court Justice and champion of gender equality
Age 87
Diego Maradona
Argentine footballer, widely regarded as one of the greatest ever
Age 60
Technology in 2020
Zoom went from niche business tool to essential infrastructure overnight. Remote work became the norm for millions. The PS5 and Xbox Series X launched but were impossible to buy. COVID-19 vaccines were developed in under a year using mRNA technology, a scientific triumph. TikTok was everywhere. Streaming services boomed as cinemas closed.
- ● Zoom became essential infrastructure for work, school, and social life
- ● mRNA COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna in record time
- ● PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X launched
- ● SpaceX Crew Dragon carried astronauts to the ISS, the first commercial crewed spaceflight
Cost of Living in 2020
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £250,000 | $290,000 |
| Average salary | £31,000 | $55,000 |
| Pint of milk | 53p | $0.90 |
| Loaf of bread | £1.42 | $2.95 |
| Dozen eggs | £2.20 | $2.40 |
| Pint of beer | £3.89 | $4.60 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | £4.80 | $2.17 |
| Cinema ticket | £8.20 | $9.37 |
Shop 2020 memorabilia on eBay/Amazon
The Zeitgeist of 2020
COVID-19 defined everything. Lockdowns, furlough, banana bread, Zoom quizzes, clapping for carers, Tiger King, and a collective trauma that reshaped society. Black Lives Matter protests erupted globally after George Floyd's murder. TikTok dances became the new pop culture. People rediscovered nature, baked sourdough, and questioned whether they ever wanted to return to the office.
In the News in 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic killed over 1.8 million people worldwide by year's end. George Floyd's murder sparked global protests. Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump. The UK formally left the EU on 31 January. Beirut was devastated by a massive port explosion. Vaccines were developed in record time.