By Devin Dubon
2017 has been a year filled with controversy and tragedy, mass shootings and suicide bombers, political upheavals both domestic and worldwide. Every month has seen dozens of new stories breaking and information being revealed, and the consequence of which is that they are quickly forgotten – receiving only a few days in the limelight before another, bigger story takes over. So, it’s time to break it down and take a look at the biggest stories of the past year that many have already forgotten.
Trump’s Inauguration
The year began with the swearing in of the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump on January 20th. It was befallen with rainfall and a small crowd, which press secretary Sean Spicer later lied about, claiming to have been the “largest ever.”
Women’s March on Washington
The day after President’s Trump inauguration, on January 21st, thousands of women united in our nation’s capital to protest the event. They protested for the groups that were targeted during the presidential campaign: Women, immigrants, Muslims, members of the LGBT community, people of color, victims of sexual assault. It was one of the largest protests in American history. The march ignited thousands of similar marches all over the US and all over the world, with over 4 million protesters globally.
Moonlight Named Best Picture in Oscar Mishap
In a moment that is sure to go down as one of the strangest in Oscar history, Moonlight won Best Picture during the February 2017 Academy Awards, but only after La La Land was given it first. The mishap was a result of presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway opened the envelope for Best Actress, which read that Emma Stone was the winner for La La Land. This led them to believe that La La Land had won Best Picture, and it was not until after the crew had come onstage and gave their acceptance speech was the mistake corrected.
‘Mother of all Bombs’ Dropped in Afghanistan
On April 13th it was revealed that the US military dropped the ‘Mother of all Bombs’ on a series of Islamic State bunkers and tunnels in Afghanistan, supposedly killing 36 IS fighters and destroying the tunnel complex. The bomb was the most powerful non-nuclear device ever used by the US military. The bombing received backlash by both Afghan and US officials, although President Trump praised the mission as “very, very successful.”
United Airlines Passenger Dragged Off Plane
Global uproar erupted after a video was posted showing a passenger on a United Airlines flight being forcibly dragged off a plane. The passenger, later revealed to be David Dao, a physician, refused to give up his seat at the request of airline staff, due to the flight being overbooked. Dao was then dragged screaming from the plane, and he later had to receive medical attention. The United Airlines CEO later apologized, and it was found that the flight wasn’t even overbooked in the first place.
Sexual Harassment and Assault Allegations Oust Dozens of Prominent Men
2017 has seen dozens of Hollywood moguls, TV stars, and political figures ousted due to sexual assault and harassment allegations. It began in April with the removal of Bill O’Reilly and popularized after the many assault allegations against Hollywood bigwig Harvey Weinstein. As a result, the #MeToo movement sparked and now actors, directors, TV hosts, and even senators have been brought down by allegations; and the ‘Silence Breakers’ were named Time’s 2017 Person of the Year.
Fidget Spinner Fad Explodes and then Peters Out
Every year has its fad, and this year that was fidget spinners. This anxiety reducing toy spread like wildfire and soon everybody and their mothers had one. At its height, fidget spinners and cubes accounted for 49 of the top 50 most popular toys on Amazon. They became so prominent that some schools banned the toys and yet now, the spinners are simply collecting dust next to the hula hoops, Rubiks Cube, and troll dolls.
FBI Director James Comey Fired
In May, President Trump fired FBI Director James Comey. The White House cited Comey’s supposed mishandling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails as the reason behind the firing, although Trump previously praised Comey’s “guts” in his pursuit of Hillary Clinton. At the time of his firing, Comey was leading the investigation into discovering any possible collusion between President Trump and Russia during the 2016 election.
Largest Mass Shooting in Modern US History Takes Place in Las Vegas strip
An outdoor country music festival became a bloodbath as a shower of bullets was unleashed onto a group of thousands of concert goers on Sunday night.
Around 1 AM ET, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock unleashed a hail of bullets from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas onto a crowd of about 22,000 spectators attending the “Route 91 Harvest Festival,” confirmed Las Vegas Police Sheriff Joseph Lombardo on Monday.
The attack has is the deadliest mass shooting in modern United States history, with 58 people dead and 546 injured.
“Unite the Right” Rally Turns Deadly as Car Plows into Counter Protestors
A rally in Charlottesville, Virginia supporting the preservation of a confederate memorial of Robert E. Lee took place on August 12th. The event quickly descended into chaos as a truck plowed into a group of counter protesters, killing 32 year old Heather Heyers. A helicopter observing the event also crashed, killing two police officers. Overall, the protest resulted in 3 deaths and over 30 injured. President Trump received backlash for his response to the event, after he refused to specifically condemn the white nationalists responsible.
Total Solar Eclipse Graces the US
For the first time in just under a century, a total solar eclipse crossed the US coast-to-coast. The path of totality carved straight through the middle of the US, starting in Oregon at 1 p.m ET and ending in South Carolina at 3 p.m ET. Thousands from across the globe flocked to this path in order to witness this once in a lifetime event.
26 Dead in Texas Mass Shooting
Twenty-six people were reported dead in the aftermath of a mass shooting in Texas on Sunday, Nov. 5, making the 5th deadliest mass shooting in modern United States history, and the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history. Two of the five deadliest mass shootings in modern US history have occurred within 35 days.
Hurricanes and Other Natural Disasters Tear Through North America
Natural disasters devastated communities all over North America. Hurricane Harvey rocked Texas, flooded communities, broke records, and killed dozens. Then, just a week later, Hurricane Irma ripped through Florida and the Caribbean, leading to storm surges, killing many and knocking out power to millions. A few days later, Hurricane Maria destroyed the power system of all of Puerto Rico, completely wrecking the entire island, and many other Caribbean countries. The effects and death toll are still being measured as Puerto Rico still rebuild. Then, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit Central Mexico, killing 200 and destroying infrastructure. Throughout all of this, wildfires raged in the Pacific Northwest and Tennessee, fires that are still raging today.
Catalonia Declares Independence
Hundreds of thousands marched in Catalonia after the region’s officials declared independence from Spain. This came after a controversial referendum was held in the region showing the region’s support for independence. The referendum was met with backlash from Spanish troops who attacked voters and destroyed votes. Still, a few weeks after the referendum, Catalonian President Carles Puigdemont declared independence from Spain. Spain cracked down and disbanded the Catalonian government, called for the arrest of Puigdemont and other government officials, and declared martial law in Catalonia. Puigdemont has since fled to Belgium and the region is under legislatorial limbo.
Raqqa Liberated from ISIS Control
In good news, US backed forces have liberated the Syrian city of Raqqa from ISIS control. Raqqa has long been considered the de facto capital of the Islamic State and this new development now means that the terrorist organization no longer holds any major cities. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson congratulated the work of the troops in the region. “Our work is far from over but the liberation of Raqqa is a critical milestone in the global fight against ISIS, and underscores the success of the ongoing international and Syrian effort to defeat these terrorists,” he said.
Mueller Indicts Key Members of Trump Presidential Campaign
Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into the possible collusion during the 2016 presidential election has led to the indictment of four Trump team members. Most recently, former Trump national security advisor Michael Flynn pled guilty to lying to the FBI about conversations he had with the Russian ambassador. Flynn has agreed to comply and aid the investigation. Others indicted are Paul Manafort, former Trump campaign chairman, Rick Gates, Manafort’s deputy, and George Papadopoulos, former member of the foreign policy advisory panel to Donald Trump and who has also pled guilty to lying to the FBI.
Doug Jones Defeats Roy Moore for Alabama Senate Seat
Roy Moore, Republican candidate for the Alabama senate seat left vacant by Jeff Sessions and who is facing multiple allegations of sexual assault and harassment, one of which against a 14 year old, has lost the race to Democrat Doug Jones. This marks the first time a Democrat has won a senate seat in Alabama in 25 years. Jones won with 49.92% of the vote, and the win has narrowed the Republican majority in congress to only 51-49.
