From the development of new COVID-19 treatments to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 2022 has been nothing short of eventful.
If we’ve learned anything from the past couple of years, it’s that we are capable of displaying strength, love, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
As we approach the second half of the year, let’s choose to remain optimistic about what the future holds.
Here is a recap of what has transpired across the world during the first months of 2022:
January 2022
January 1:
Vaccinated attendees ring in the new year at Times Square in New York City. The celebrations in Time Square were canceled last year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Photo courtesy of New York Post
January 4:
The United States reports a record high of one million COVID-19 cases in one day. According to NBC News, the Omicron variant accounted for 95% of these cases. Photo courtesy of NBC News
January 7:(Left to right) Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael, and William “Roddie” Bryan are sentenced to life in prison for the killing of Ahmaud Arbery. Arbery was jogging on February 23, 2020, when he was shot by Travis McMichael. Photo courtesy of MGN Online
January 10:The Georgia Bulldogs defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff National Championship. The game was held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated
January 16:Novak Djokovic is deported from Australia after his visa is canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions. Djokovic was not able to defend his Australian Open title because he refused to get vaccinated. Photo courtesy of Associated Press
January 29:Australian tennis player Ash Barty wins the women’s singles title at the 2022 Australian Open. Barty defeated American player Danielle Collins. Photo courtesy of CBS Sports
January 30:
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal wins the men’s singles title at the 2022 Australian Open. Nadal defeated Russian player Daniil Medvedev. Photo courtesy of CBS Sports
February 2022
February 4:
The 2022 Olympic Winter Games open in Beijing, China. President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, officially opened the ceremony. Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Times
February 4:
A fire breaks out at the De Soto Hotel in Downtown El Paso, Texas. The cause of the fire was later claimed to be “undetermined”. Photo courtesy of El Paso Herald-Post
February 13:
The Los Angeles Rams defeat the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. The game took place at Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Photo courtesy of Marca
February 20:
The 2022 Olympic Winter Games close in Beijing, China. Norway finishes on top with a record of 16 gold medals. Photo courtesy of NBC News
February 22:
The United States Women’s National Team settles its lawsuit with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) for $24 million. The USSF promised to aid in the fight for equal pay in the future. (Pictured is Megan Rapinoe) Photo courtesy of United Press International
February 24:
Russian President Vladamir Putin announces a “special military operation” in Ukraine. Russia invades Ukraine, beginning the Russo-Ukrainian War. Photo courtesy of The Times
March 2022
March 4:
The 2022 Paralympic Winter Games kick off in Beijing, China. Before entering the stadium, Ukrainian athletes held signs promoting peace. Photo courtesy of The Guardian
March 8:
Florida Senate passes the “Don’t Say Gay” parental rights bill. This bill bans educators from discussing sexual identity or gender orientation with kids in kindergarten through third grade. Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Times
March 10:
A 99-day lockout ends when Major League Baseball (MLB) and MLB Players Association reach a collective bargaining agreement. A full season would be scheduled to begin on April 7th. Photo courtesy of CBS Sports
March 13:
March 16:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the United States Congress in a live video. Zelenskyy thanks Americans for their support and calls for peace, sanctions, and tools. Photo courtesy of Associated Press
March 22:
Dutch researchers find microplastics in human blood for the first time. This information was published in the journal Environmental International. Photo courtesy of The Guardian
March 27:
Will Smith slaps Chris Rock live on stage at the Oscars. The ceremony was held at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California. Photo courtesy of Vox
March 29:
President Joe Biden signs the Emmett Till Antilynching Act to make lynching a federal hate crime. According to NBC News, Congress had failed to pass anti-lynching bills 200 times since 1900. Photo courtesy of NBC News
April 2022
April 3:
The 64th Grammy Awards take place in Las Vegas, Nevada. Singer Jon Batiste won the most awards (five), including album of the year for We Are. Photo courtesy of Brian Friedman for Variety
April 7:
Ketanji Brown Jackson is confirmed by the United States Senate to the Supreme Court in a 53-47 vote. Jackson is the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. Photo courtesy of The White House
April 10:
American golfer Scottie Scheffler wins the 2022 Masters Tournament. Scheffler led by three strokes and won $2.7 million. Photo courtesy of New York Post
April 15:
Coachella music festival kicks off after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Harry Styles headlined the opening night and performed in front of over 100,000 attendees. Photo courtesy of Billboard
April 18:
A man robs the Wells Fargo Bank in Downtown El Paso, Texas. He was later identified as Tensley Neal, and he stole $1,900. Photo courtesy of El Paso Police Department
April 25:
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk buys Twitter for $44 billion. Musk looked to promote free speech on the social media platform. Photo courtesy of The Independent
April 27:
SpaceX launches its Crew Dragon capsule with four astronauts. The capsule was launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo courtesy of Associated Press
May 2022
May 2:
According to a draft opinion obtained by Politico, the Supreme Court votes to overturn Roe v. Wade. This would eliminate a woman’s right to abortion first established by Roe in 1973. Photo courtesy of Katie Barlow
May 5:
Karine Jean-Pierre is appointed as White House Press Secretary, replacing Jen Psaki. Jean-Pierre is the first Black woman and openly LGBTQ person to have this position. Photo courtesy of The Street Journal
May 8:
Rich Strike and Venezuelan jockey Sonny Leon win the 148th Kentucky Derby. The event was held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo courtesy of Ezra Shaw
May 9:
Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe painting sells at an auction in New York for $195 million. This is the most expensive work by an American artist to sell at an auction. Photo courtesy of Associated Press
May 10:
El Paso City Council votes to create a commission to protect women’s rights. Their discussions at the meeting were primarily focused on the news of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Photo courtesy of KTSM
May 14:
People gather outside a Tops Supermarket in Buffalo, New York, where 10 people were killed in a mass shooting. The hate-filled shooting is labeled as a terrorist attack on a predominantly Black neighborhood. Photo courtesy of WIVB4 News
May 14:
Ukrainian rap and folk band Kalush Orchestra wins the Eurovision Song Contest. This achievement comes as Ukraine hopes for an end to the destruction created by the Russo-Ukrainian War. Photo courtesy of NPR (AFP via Getty Images)
May 18:
Finland and Sweden announce that they will apply to join North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Finnish Ambassador to NATO Klaus Korhonen (left) and the Swedish Ambassador to NATO Axel Wernhoff (right), met at NATO’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Photo courtesy of NATO
May 21:
Lyon beat Barcelona 3-1 to win the UEFA Women’s Champions League final in Turin, Italy. Catarina Macario, a soccer player for Lyon, made history as the first U.S. Women’s National Team player to score in a UWCL final. Photo courtesy of DAZN
Although it is barely the month of May, numerous historic events have already occurred, for better or for worse.
2022 is far from over, so we should remember to spread kindness and remain hopeful for what the future holds.
