We’re living through history every day, and 2024 has been no exception. From shocking political shifts to devastating global events, this year has been filled with moments that will undoubtedly be analyzed and discussed for generations to come. Get ready to take a look at ten events from 2024 that are definitely going to wind up in the history books of the future.
In the years to come, students will crack open those books in class and learn about the following events that occurred in 2024. If you’re still around, you can tell them all about how you lived through these times!
Biden Drops Out
One of the biggest news stories of the year was Joe Biden’s decision not to seek reelection. On July 21, 2024, he announced his departure after just one term, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to carry the torch. This decision followed a disastrous presidential debate against Donald Trump, a performance so poor it couldn’t be ignored.
It’s rare for a sitting President not to seek reelection, especially in the modern age. Biden’s choice, following such a dismal public performance, is beyond newsworthy. For years, we’ll look back on Biden’s presidency, his choice to bow out, and his VP’s campaign before losing to Trump. We live in interesting times, that’s for sure! [1]
Donald Trump’s Second Term
The election of a president is always a historic event, but Donald Trump’s win in November 2024 is particularly notable. His election victory over Kamala Harris marked a non-consecutive second term. Trump served from January 2017 to January 2021, lost to Joe Biden, and then returned to beat Biden’s vice president in 2025.
This has only happened once before in American history. Grover Cleveland was re-elected in 1892 after initially winning in 1884 but losing in 1888. Like Trump, he returned to the White House after stumbling through reelection. Trump made history by mirroring Cleveland’s path back to Washington. [2]
The Trump Assassination Attempts
Trump will also be remembered for surviving two assassination attempts in 2024. On July 13, Matthew Crooks opened fire at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. A bullet grazed Trump’s ear and killed a spectator. Crooks was killed by Secret Service snipers.
A month later, Ryan Routh was arrested while hiding with a gun near a golf course where Trump was playing. He was charged with attempted assassination. All presidents face such threats, but the attempts on Trump’s life in 2024 were particularly notable. [3]
Guilty (34 Times)
Donald Trump became the first U.S. president convicted of a felony on March 30, 2024. He was charged with falsifying documents to conceal hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. A jury in New York City found him guilty of 34 felony crimes.
While Democrats criticized a convicted felon running for president, Republicans claimed politicized prosecutions. Trump won his reelection bid against Kamala Harris. 2024 will be remembered as the year a former president was convicted of felony charges and then voted back into the White House! [4]
The Russia-Ukraine War
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, continued to rage throughout 2024. It escalated dramatically, with no signs of slowing. The conflict has been devastating for both sides, with significant loss of life and ongoing threats to Ukrainian sovereignty.
The United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany have provided major financial aid to Ukraine. Future history books will cover this vicious fight, with the coverage largely depending on how the war ends. Future generations will study this war. [5]
Sweden to NATO
Sweden officially joined NATO on March 7, 2024, a major moment in international relations. Turkey and Hungary had previously objected to the Nordic nation joining the alliance. Sweden’s inclusion brought NATO to 32 countries.
This event will be covered in future history textbooks because Ukraine is not in NATO. Russia has been dead-set against Ukraine joining NATO. While Sweden joining doesn’t necessarily mean Ukraine will follow, it complicates European international relations. [6]
The Brian Thompson Murder
On December 4, 2024, Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was murdered in New York City. He was shot on the street while walking to a shareholder meeting. The murder was a targeted attack, and Luigi Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania days later.
The news wasn’t just the murder itself. The social media conversation that bubbled up around the aftermath of Thompson’s killing will also be covered in history textbooks. Millions of social media users reacted with a shocking mix of emotions about the killing, the horrors of the insurance industry, and whether the country could change course on medical coverage. [7]
The Hottest Summer Ever
The summer of 2024 was the hottest ever recorded. Average global temperatures through June, July, and August were the highest ever. This will make it into the history books of the future, unless subsequent summers get even hotter.
The United States saw brutal conditions. Average temperatures were three degrees higher than anything recorded in the 20th century. Alaska saw all-time high temperatures, the Midwest saw severe storms, and Ohio and West Virginia saw brutal droughts. The United States (and the world) is experiencing a horrific climate adjustment. [8]
Stuck in Space
On June 5, 2024, NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore flew to the International Space Station on the Boeing Starliner. But when it was time to return, NASA ruled that they ought not to return to Earth due to concerns about the spacecraft’s structural integrity during re-entry.
Williams and Wilmore were supposed to spend eight days in space, but they ended up spending months on the ISS. They were stuck on the ISS until late March 2025, when they could return home on SpaceX. [9]
The Israel-Palestine War
The conflict between Israel and Palestine began on October 7, 2023, but it became a full-fledged war in 2024. In response to Hamas’ terror attacks, Israel invaded the Gaza Strip. The entire region turned into a war zone, and a humanitarian crisis emerged.
As of August 2024, more than 40,000 people had been killed in the conflict. Ongoing violence, famine, and collapsed infrastructure will push this conflict into 2025 and beyond. This violent and long-lasting war will make its way into the history books. [10]
2024 has been a year of significant events, from political upheavals and social changes to global conflicts and environmental crises. These moments have shaped our world and will undoubtedly be remembered and studied in the years to come. As we move forward, reflecting on these events can help us understand the present and prepare for the future.
What do you think about these events? Leave your comment below!
