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2020
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2020 in various calendars
Gregorian calendar2020
MMXX
Ab urbe condita2773
Armenian calendar1469
ԹՎ ՌՆԿԹ
Assyrian calendar6770
Baháʼí calendar176–177
Balinese saka calendar1941–1942
Bengali calendar1426–1427
Berber calendar2970
British Regnal year68 Eliz. 2 – 69 Eliz. 2
Buddhist calendar2564
Burmese calendar1382
Byzantine calendar7528–7529
Chinese calendar己亥年 (Earth Pig)
4717 or 4510
    — to —
庚子年 (Metal Rat)
4718 or 4511
Coptic calendar1736–1737
Discordian calendar3186
Ethiopian calendar2012–2013
Hebrew calendar5780–5781
Hindu calendars
 - Vikram Samvat2076–2077
 - Shaka Samvat1941–1942
 - Kali Yuga5120–5121
Holocene calendar12020
Igbo calendar1020–1021
Iranian calendar1398–1399
Islamic calendar1441–1442
Japanese calendarReiwa 2
(令和2年)
Javanese calendar1953–1954
Juche calendar109
Julian calendarGregorian minus 13 days
Korean calendar4353
Minguo calendarROC 109
民國109年
Nanakshahi calendar552
Thai solar calendar2563
Tibetan calendarས་མོ་ཕག་ལོ་
(female Earth-Boar)
2146 or 1765 or 993
    — to —
ལྕགས་ཕོ་བྱི་བ་ལོ་
(male Iron-Rat)
2147 or 1766 or 994
Unix time1577836800 – 1609459199

2020 (MMXX) was a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar, the 2020th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 20th year of the 3rd millennium and the 21st century, and the 1st year of the 2020s decade.

The year 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global social and economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of events, worldwide lockdowns, and the largest economic recession since the Great Depression in the 1930s.[1] 2020 is also notable for the murder of George Floyd by police that lead to worldwide protests and unrest. Geospatial World also called 2020 "the worst year in terms of climate change" in part due to major climate disasters worldwide, including major bushfires in Australia and the western United States, as well as extreme tropical cyclone activity affecting large parts of North America.[2] A United Nations progress report published in December 2020 indicated that none of the international Sustainable Development Goals for 2020 were achieved.[3] Time magazine used its sixth ever X cover to declare 2020 "the worst year ever," although the cover article itself did not go as far, instead saying, "There have been worse years in U.S. history, and certainly worse years in world history, but most of us alive today have seen nothing like this one."[4]

Health

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The outbreak of COVID-19 began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It spread to other areas of Asia, and then worldwide in early 2020. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on 30 January, and assessed the outbreak had become a pandemic on 11 March.[5]

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October

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November

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December

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from Grokipedia
2020 was a leap year beginning on a Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. It stands out as a transformative year in contemporary history, dominated by the rapid global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 virus originating in Wuhan, China. By December 31, the pandemic had resulted in approximately 1.8 million reported deaths worldwide, alongside profound disruptions including extensive lockdowns that reshaped daily life, economies, and governance structures. Other notable developments included the United Kingdom's formal exit from the European Union on January 31, marking the end of a 47-year membership and ushering in a new era of trade and political relations. The year also featured heightened social movements, such as global protests against racial injustice, and geopolitical tensions, though the pandemic's shadow loomed largest over international affairs.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Emergence and Global Spread

The first laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 emerged in , China, with illness onset traced to early December 2019, including a cluster of cases reported by local health authorities on December 31. The outbreak originated from the novel coronavirus , initially linked to a where human-to-human transmission was soon confirmed. By mid-February 2020, had spread to dozens of countries beyond China, with over 800 cases reported in 24 nations outside mainland China by February 18, including early detections in Europe (such as and ) and the (first confirmed case on January 20). This rapid dissemination occurred via international travel, despite initial containment efforts in , leading to outbreaks in regions like (first case outside China on January 13) and escalating community transmission. On March 11, 2020, the declared COVID-19 a , citing the over 118,000 cases across more than 110 countries and over 4,000 deaths, with uncontrolled spread in multiple continents. Early epidemiological analyses estimated the of at approximately 2–3, reflecting moderate but sustained transmissibility that overwhelmed initial public health measures and hindered containment. This pattern underscored the virus's airborne and asymptomatic spread potential, complicating early detection and response.

Public Health Responses

Governments worldwide implemented , recommending or mandating a minimum distance of 1-2 meters between individuals to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission, alongside widespread promotion of hand hygiene and surface disinfection protocols. Mask mandates emerged as a core strategy, with evidence indicating they reduced community case incidence during early pandemic waves, particularly in indoor settings where distancing was challenging. Testing regimes expanded rapidly, prioritizing symptomatic individuals and high-risk contacts to enable isolation and , though global disparities in access limited effectiveness in low-resource areas. Initial lockdowns began in with the lockdown of in January 2020, restricting movement for over 50 million people to contain the outbreak's epicenter, followed by 's nationwide measures in March that halted non-essential activities and confined most residents to homes. Border closures and travel bans proliferated, with over 90 countries imposing restrictions on arrivals from China by early 2020 to curb imported cases. In Brazil, federal policies under President Jair Bolsonaro emphasized economic continuity over strict isolation, sparking debates with state governors who enacted localized lockdowns and social distancing rules amid rising cases. States like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro implemented varying degrees of restrictions, contrasting federal reluctance and leading to fragmented enforcement. proliferated in 2020, leveraging for proximity detection while aiming to preserve privacy through , with early deployments in countries like and several European nations. Hospital systems faced severe capacity strains, particularly in overwhelmed regions where occupancy exceeded 100%, prompting temporary and resource reallocations to manage surges.

Societal and Daily Life Impacts

The prompted widespread across 192 countries by April 2020, affecting approximately 90% of the world's students and forcing a rapid transition to online and formats. More than 1.6 billion students and youth globally experienced disruptions to formal education, with facing the most significant barriers to continued access. In the United States, for instance, 77% of public schools shifted some or all classes to online distance learning in early 2020. and public health measures led to the shutdown of non-essential businesses, severely disrupting commerce, , and daily services worldwide. These restrictions halted routine activities such as retail shopping and , contributing to reduced mobility and altered social interactions. Transportation sectors saw widespread cancellations and delays, further limiting access to essential and recreational services. Prolonged isolation from exacerbated mental health challenges, including heightened anxiety and distress due to separation from and social networks. measures enforced unfamiliar experiences of social distancing, amplifying feelings of loneliness and psychological strain across populations. In Brazil, urban mobility restrictions intensified challenges for the informal sector, where movement limitations prompted a significant outflow from the labor force in early 2020. These measures disrupted daily commuting and street-based work, particularly affecting low-income workers reliant on informal economies.

Economic Crisis

Global Recession Effects

The COVID-19 pandemic induced a sharp global economic contraction, with the International Monetary Fund estimating a decline in world GDP of around 3% in 2020, marking the deepest peacetime recession since the Great Depression. Realized figures aligned closely with early projections, reflecting widespread disruptions from lockdowns and reduced consumer spending. surged globally, particularly in contact-intensive sectors such as tourism, aviation, and , where job losses exceeded 50% in some travel-related subsectors by mid-2020. These spikes stemmed from and store closures, amplifying vulnerabilities in . Supply chain breakdowns intensified the downturn, as factory shutdowns across —beginning in China in February 2020—halted production of electronics, automobiles, and consumer goods, leading to shortages and delayed deliveries worldwide. In Brazil, contracted by approximately 3.3%, with manufacturing within the declining by 4.7%, though expanded by 4.2% amid resilient commodity exports. This uneven impact highlighted sector-specific resilience amid broader output losses.

Government Stimulus Measures

Governments around the world deployed unprecedented totaling trillions of dollars to counteract the economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including direct payments, business support, and infrastructure investments. In the United States, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, enacted in March 2020, authorized up to $1,200 in economic impact payments per adult, alongside enhanced unemployment benefits and loans for small businesses. The European Union approved a , combining grants and loans to member states for rebuilding economies with a focus on green and digital transitions. complemented these efforts with aggressive monetary policies, slashing interest rates to near-zero levels and expanding quantitative easing programs to inject liquidity into financial markets. The U.S. Federal Reserve, for instance, lowered its federal funds rate target to 0-0.25% in March 2020 and committed to purchasing at least $500 billion in to support credit flows. In Brazil, the Auxílio Emergencial program delivered emergency cash transfers of up to R$600 monthly to over 68 million vulnerable individuals, costing approximately R$353 billion and representing a significant expansion of social safety nets. These measures sparked debates on , as surging public debt raised concerns about potential crowding out of private investment and heightened vulnerability to . Policymakers also grappled with inflation risks, with analyses indicating that expansive contributed to excess demand pressures in without corresponding supply increases, potentially fueling price accelerations observed post-2020.

Social Movements

Anti-Racism Protests

On May 25, 2020, , a 46-year-old Black man, died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after white police officer knelt on his neck for over nine minutes during an arrest for allegedly using a , an incident captured in a bystander video that went viral and sparked widespread outrage. The footage showed Floyd repeatedly pleading "I can't breathe" while restrained, contradicting initial police statements and fueling accusations of excessive force. The killing sparked a massive wave of protests associated with the Black Lives Matter movement, leading to protests in over 2,000 U.S. cities and towns from late May through August, with demonstrations demanding an end to police brutality and racial injustice. These actions, often peaceful but occasionally escalating, drew millions of participants and spread internationally, with solidarity protests in cities across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America echoing calls for global racial justice. Demonstrators focused on police reform measures, such as ending qualified immunity and militarized responses, alongside the "defund the police" slogan advocating reallocation of funds to social services to address root causes of crime. Critiques extended to structural racism, highlighting systemic biases in law enforcement and societal institutions that perpetuate inequality. While most events remained nonviolent, some protests saw incidents of arson, vandalism, and looting, particularly in urban centers like Minneapolis and Kenosha, Wisconsin, prompting curfews in over 200 cities and deployments of National Guard troops. Counter-responses included arrests of thousands, federal interventions under the Trump administration labeling certain actions as riots, and debates over property damage versus protesters' rights, with organizers condemning opportunistic violence amid the push for accountability.

Lockdown Debates and Protests

In the , protests against emerged in early April 2020, particularly in states like Michigan and , where demonstrators gathered to oppose restrictions imposed to curb COVID-19 transmission. In Michigan, thousands rallied at the , with some events featuring armed participants entering the building to denounce Governor Gretchen Whitmer's policies as excessive, while traffic jams and honking demonstrations highlighted frustrations over prolonged closures. Similar actions occurred in California, contributing to a wave of statewide demonstrations against economic shutdowns. Opponents framed as government overreach infringing on , arguing that indefinite restrictions caused severe economic harm without proportionate benefits, and demanded swift reopening to restore livelihoods. Protesters emphasized the mental health toll, business closures, and unemployment spikes, positioning as prioritizing safety over individual rights and economic vitality. In Brazil, compliance with restrictions varied regionally due to decentralized authority, with some states enforcing strict lockdowns amid federal reluctance, leading to clashes between President Jair Bolsonaro's administration, which downplayed the virus, and governors advocating containment. This discord fueled public debates and sporadic protests, exacerbating uneven policy implementation across municipalities. Social media platforms amplified anti-lockdown sentiments, enabling rapid organization of rallies through viral posts and networks that echoed calls for reopening, often linking restrictions to authoritarianism. Conservative influencers and figures like former President Donald Trump used Twitter to urge "liberation" from orders, spurring participation beyond initial local groups.

Environmental Events

Brazilian Wildfires

In 2020, Brazil experienced severe wildfires in both the Amazon rainforest and the Pantanal wetlands, with the Pantanal suffering its worst fire season on record, burning approximately 28% of the biome and marking an unprecedented episode driven by human activity. Amazon fires, largely linked to deforestation for agriculture, were concentrated in rural areas and contributed to ongoing habitat loss despite not reaching 2019 peaks. These blazes were fueled by a combination of prolonged drought, land-clearing practices, and broader climate conditions exacerbating fire risk, compounded by poor governance that heightened vulnerability. The fires caused massive losses, with an estimated 17 million —including , birds, , and —killed directly in the alone, alongside widespread threatening species-dependent . Brazil's government response drew international criticism for inadequate environmental policies, including delayed firefighting efforts and weakened enforcement, prompting President Bolsonaro to impose a temporary fire ban and deploy military operations amid global pressure.

Other Global Environmental Impacts

The extended their ecological and recovery challenges into early 2020, with efforts focusing on urgent interventions for 810 priority species and communities amid ongoing habitat regeneration difficulties. Recovery processes highlighted persistent losses and slow forest regrowth in affected regions like the , where vast areas remained scarred. reached its second-lowest minimum extent on record in September 2020, measuring 3.74 million square kilometers, exacerbating long-term melt trends. Concurrently, intensified, with hitting a record high and absorbing additional heat equivalent to 20 more than in 2019, contributing to broader climate instability. Summer surface temperatures across much of the were markedly above average, underscoring the acceleration of polar warming patterns. The led to temporary global air quality enhancements, with reductions in pollutants like and observed in urban areas due to decreased industrial and vehicular activity. Approximately 84% of monitored countries reported air quality improvements in 2020, attributing these shifts to pandemic-related . Environmental diplomacy faced setbacks, exemplified by the postponement of the UN climate conference from November 2020 to 2021, directly resulting from the health crisis and its worldwide disruptions. This delay underscored how the pandemic intersected with ongoing climate challenges, hindering international coordination on emissions and adaptation.

International Politics

US-Iran Tensions

On January 3, 2020, a drone strike targeted vehicles near , killing Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The operation, authorized by President Donald Trump, aimed to counter imminent threats posed by Soleimani's activities in orchestrating attacks on American interests. responded on January 8 with barrages on U.S. military bases in , including and , striking over a dozen sites in what it termed . The strikes inflicted damage and caused traumatic brain injuries to over 100 U.S. troops but avoided direct fatalities, signaling a calibrated retaliation to deter further escalation while demonstrating capability. The and intensified across the , with launching additional rocket attacks on U.S. and coalition forces in and amid vows of ongoing vengeance. Oil markets reacted sharply, with prices surging over 4% initially to near $70 per barrel due to supply disruption fears from the and broader regional instability. Diplomatic repercussions included Iran's suspension of commitments and heightened rhetoric, yet full-scale war was averted as U.S. forces remained in defensive postures and refrained from further direct assaults, allowing tensions to stabilize without broader invasion or .

Brexit Process Completion

The UK formally withdrew from the on 31 January 2020 at 11:00 pm , following the ratification of the by both the and the . This marked the end of over three years of negotiations initiated by the , with Prime Minister securing parliamentary approval after his Conservative Party's decisive election victory in December 2019. A transition period ensued until 31 December 2020, during which the UK remained in the EU's single market and customs union but ceased participation in EU decision-making, allowing time for negotiations on a future trade deal. Intensive talks between UK negotiator David Frost and EU counterpart Michel Barnier focused on fisheries, level playing field commitments, and governance, culminating in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement finalized on 24 December 2020. Johnson played a pivotal role in pushing for a "clean break" from EU regulatory alignment, framing the deal as sovereignty restoration despite internal Conservative Party splits between hardline Brexiteers and moderates concerned over economic ties. The process exacerbated longstanding UK internal divisions, particularly along regional lines with 's pro-EU stance fueling and Northern Ireland facing unique to avoid a . Economically, the transition introduced uncertainties in supply chains and investment, while post-transition border checks loomed over trade, straining relations amid disputes over implementation. Relations shifted toward a more arm's-length partnership, with the UK pursuing global trade deals outside EU frameworks.

Cultural and Technological Shifts

Major Event Postponements

The were postponed to 2021 in response to the escalating COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented delay for the modern Games that preserved the event's name while shifting it beyond the original July-August schedule. This decision, jointly announced by Japanese officials and the , underscored the global prioritization of public health over longstanding athletic traditions. Professional sports leagues faced abrupt interruptions, with the suspending its on March 11, 2020, after a player tested positive for the virus, halting games indefinitely and reshaping competitive calendars worldwide. Similarly, major music festivals such as were outright canceled after initial postponements proved unfeasible amid rising cases and restrictions. Film releases encountered widespread delays, as studios like those behind high-profile blockbusters rescheduled premieres to avoid empty theaters and containment measures. International conferences in fields from business to science were also canceled, disrupting knowledge exchange and networking on a global scale. These disruptions reverberated culturally, emptying global event calendars and inflicting economic strain on athletes, performers, organizers, and local economies reliant on tourism and sponsorships, with the Olympic delay alone adding billions in costs. Participant industries, from sports training facilities to festival vendors, grappled with revenue shortfalls and uncertain futures, altering the rhythm of international gatherings for years.

Acceleration of Digital Adoption

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a surge in remote work, with platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams experiencing explosive growth as companies shifted to virtual collaboration. Zoom's daily meeting participants reached 300 million by April 2020, reflecting the rapid pivot to online tools amid lockdowns. Similarly, Microsoft Teams saw its daily active users exceed 75 million in the same month, up significantly from pre-pandemic levels. Online education expanded dramatically, with over 70% of U.S. public and private schools transitioning to in early 2020 to maintain continuity during closures. also benefited, as Netflix added nearly 22 million paid net subscribers globally in the first half of 2020, driven by increased home entertainment demand. platforms thrived under restrictions on , with reporting sales of $279.8 billion in 2020, marking substantial growth from prior years. These changes fostered long-term shifts, including the normalization of hybrid work models, where office attendance remained about 30% lower than pre-pandemic norms by mid-decade, blending remote and in-person arrangements for flexibility.

References

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