What Happened in 2024 — Major World Events
US election returns Trump
Donald Trump won the 2024 US election, returning to office. The election was contentious and divided the nation deeply.
Paris Olympics held
The 2024 Summer Olympics came to Paris with record viewership and sustainability efforts. Major moments defined the games.
Ukraine war persists
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continued without resolution. Both sides faced exhaustion and casualties.
Taiwan tensions rise
China increased military drills around Taiwan, escalating concerns about a potential conflict.
Number 1 Songs in 2024 — UK and US Charts
"Espresso"
Sabrina Carpenter
A catchy, confident bop from Sabrina Carpenter that dominated 2024. The song's playful energy made it the year's earworm.
"Espresso"
Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina's breakout smash dominated Billboard charts. The self-assured anthem resonated with Gen Z audiences globally.
Biggest Films of 2024 — Box Office Hits
Inside Out 2
Box Office: $1.69 billion
Pixar's sequel continued the story of Riley's emotions in her teenage years. It became the highest-grossing film of 2024 and proved sequels still worked.
Notable Deaths in 2024
Jimmy Carter
39th US President, humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize winner
Age 100
Maggie Smith
British actress, Downton Abbey and Harry Potter star
Age 89
Quincy Jones
Music producer, arranger, and impresario
Age 91
Technology and Inventions in 2024
AI matured from hype to utility. GPT-4 became ubiquitous. Claude and other models emerged. Tech companies integrated AI into every product. Semiconductors remained crucial. The AI arms race accelerated.
- ● Claude 3 and GPT-4 Turbo released
- ● AI integration in Windows, Office, and Google products
- ● Nvidia's stock surges on AI chip demand
- ● Starlink expands global internet coverage
- ● Apple Intelligence features announced
By the Numbers in 2024
World Population
8.2B
UK Life Expectancy
60.6 years
US Life Expectancy
60.8 years
Gold Price (per oz)
$2,135.4
Dow Jones Index
41,376
US National Debt
36.2T
Sovereign Nations
195
How Much Did Things Cost in 2024?
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £310,000 | $440,000 |
| Average salary | £35,000 | $68,000 |
| Pint of milk | £0.72 | $0.52 |
| Loaf of bread | £1.75 | $3.35 |
| Cinema ticket | £11.00 | $14.00 |
| Petrol per litre | £1.40 | $3.18 |
Shop 2024 memorabilia on eBay/Amazon
The Zeitgeist of 2024
Election madness in the US and across the globe kept everyone on edge. Taylor Swift's cultural dominance was inescapable. AI was no longer novel—it was normal. Crypto recovered. The mood was divided politically but united in following pop culture.
What Was in the News in 2024
US election dominated with Trump's return. Ukraine war continued. China-US tensions spiked. Suez Canal faced another crisis. Olympics came to Paris. AI regulation advanced slowly.