January 2024 Brings Political Tensions, National Tragedies
On January 19, Alec Baldwin was indicted for involuntary manslaughter for the 2021 on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during the production of Rust, according to The New York Times. The indictment reignited debates over film-set safety and firearm protocols.
Earlier in the month, on January 4, tragedy struck Perry, Iowa, as a school shooting left one student dead and seven injured, according to AP News. The 17-year-old shooter took their own life at the scene, and the school principal, who had intervened, passed away from injuries ten days later.
January 25 saw the United States conduct its first execution using nitrogen hypoxia, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Kenneth Smith, convicted of murder, became the first person to die by this method, which drew national and international criticism for its lack of transparency and ethical implications.
Harvard University President Claudine Gay announced her resignation following allegations of plagiarism and scrutiny regarding her handling of antisemitism concerns.
February 2024 Brings Space Milestones, Political Upheaval
On February 11, the Kansas City Chiefs secured a dramatic Super Bowl LVIII victory over the San Francisco 49ers, becoming the first team to win back-to-back championships since 2004, according to ESPN. Celebrations in Kansas City were marred by a tragic shooting during a February 14 parade that left one person dead and nine others injured.
Politics dominated the headlines mid-month, starting with the February 13 impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Just days later, a New York court ordered former President Donald Trump and his businesses to pay over $350 million in a civil fraud case, according to The Guardian. On February 28, Mitch McConnell announced his upcoming resignation as Senate Republican leader, ending his record-breaking tenure in 2025.
Space exploration also made headlines as the U.S. launched the lunar lander Odysseus on February 15, marking its first lunar mission in decades, according to NASA. Following this, Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C became the first commercial spacecraft to land on the Moon on February 22.
March 2024 Brings Sports Triumphs, Political Developments
On March 1, Caitlin Clark made history by breaking the NCAA Division I all-time career scoring record with 3,685 points, surpassing Pete Maravich’s long-standing record, according to NCAA.
The U.S. military announced plans to begin airdropping humanitarian aid into Gaza on March 2 as part of ongoing support for Israel in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In a significant legal case, Jack Teixeira, a former Massachusetts Air National Guard member, pled guilty on March 4 to leaking classified Defense Department documents and was sentenced to over 16 years in prison. Tragedy struck on the same day when a Piper PA-32A plane crashed on I-40 near Nashville, killing all five passengers onboard, according to AOPA.
March closed with a significant economic move when AESC announced a $1.5 billion expansion of its lithium-ion EV battery manufacturing in South Carolina, expected to create over 1,000 new jobs.
April 2024 Brings National Tragedies, Political Protests
On April 1, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the state’s constitution does not confer a right to abortion, allowing the controversial 15-week abortion ban to remain in effect and clearing the way for an additional six-week ban, according to The New York Times. This decision sparked protests, especially after a U.S. aid worker, Jacob Flickinger, was killed by an Israeli drone strike in Gaza while delivering aid. His death intensified criticism over the safety of humanitarian workers amidst the ongoing conflict.
April saw breakthroughs in both science and sports. Researchers released a 3D map of the universe featuring more than six million galaxies, and in college basketball, the South Carolina women’s team completed a perfect 38-0 season to win the national championship, according to the University of South Carolina Athletics. Connecticut’s men’s team followed suit, repeating as national champions.
Tragedy struck on April 19 when Maxwell Azzarello self-immolated outside the New York Supreme Court, where a trial involving Donald Trump was set to begin, according to NBC News. Later in the month, a major tornado outbreak across the Midwest and Southern U.S. left six dead and caused extensive damage.
May 2024 Brings Tornado Tragedies, Sports Victories
Tornado outbreaks from May 6–10 and May 19–27 wreaked havoc across the U.S., leaving 31 dead, 243 injured, and billions in damages, according to the National Weather Service. Communities in Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Alabama were among the hardest hit. Elsewhere, a May 28 natural gas explosion in Youngstown, Ohio, claimed one life and injured seven.
In the legal sphere, federal judge Catherine Eagles struck down key restrictions on the abortion pill mifepristone in North Carolina. At the same time, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed a law expanding abortion access up to 15 weeks. Former President Donald Trump was convicted on May 20 of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, becoming the first U.S. president to face such charges, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
The month also saw triumphs in culture and sports. The Kentucky Derby celebrated its 150th race, with Mystik Dan earning victory. Formula One driver Lando Norris earned his first career win at the Miami Grand Prix.
June 2024 Brings Legal Shifts, Natural Disasters
On June 28, the Supreme Court overturned the precedent Chevron U.S.A. v. Natural Resources Defense Council set, restricting federal regulatory power in a landmark decision, according to White and Case LLP. Earlier, on June 13, the court ruled to preserve access to the abortion pill mifepristone, citing a lack of standing in the case. Meanwhile, on June 27, President Joe Biden faced mounting criticism following the first presidential debate, raising concerns about his health and fitness to serve.
Climate disasters struck across the country. From June 17–21, record heat waves swept through the Northeast and Midwest. Tropical Storm Alberto formed in the Gulf of Mexico, signaling the start of hurricane season. The South Fork Fire in New Mexico forced evacuations, destroying over 15,000 acres. Southern Florida endured catastrophic flooding during a rare 1-in-1,000-year event on June 12, according to WFLA.
In sports, the Florida Panthers captured their first Stanley Cup on June 24, defeating the Edmonton Oilers in a seven-game series, according to NHL.com. Earlier in the month, the Boston Celtics won their 18th NBA Championship, surpassing the Los Angeles Lakers for the most titles in league history. On the cultural front, the 77th Tony Awards on June 17 honored Stereophonic as Best Play and The Outsiders as Best Musical.
July 2024 Brings Legal Drama, Climate Crises
On July 1, the Supreme Court ruled in Trump v. United States that former presidents are entitled to absolute immunity for official acts while denying immunity for unofficial ones, according to the Supreme Court of the United States. Rudy Giuliani was disbarred in New York on July 2 for his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election. Meanwhile, on July 13, Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, sustaining minor injuries while two attendees were killed. Days later, on July 21, President Biden announced he would withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee.
Severe weather and climate disasters wreaked havoc across the U.S. throughout the month. From July 7–11, Hurricane Beryl devastated Texas and the central U.S., causing $6 billion in damage and claiming 48 lives, according to The Texas Tribune. Simultaneously, wildfires in Northern California displaced over 26,000 people. On July 6, heatwaves in Arizona and California led to over 160 suspected heat-related deaths.
August 2024 Brings Political Shifts, National Tragedies
On August 1, the United States and Russia conducted their largest prisoner exchange since the Cold War, releasing 26 individuals at Ankara Esenboğa Airport, according to CNN.
Hurricane Debby struck Florida and the East Coast between August 3–10, killing 10 people and causing $7 billion in damages.
The Democratic National Convention took place in Chicago from August 19–22, officially nominating Kamala Harris and Tim Walz for president and vice president.
Tragedy struck at the end of the month when Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli kidnapped in October 2023, was found executed in Gaza after nearly a year in captivity, according to NPR.
September 2024 Brings Violence, Legal Shifts The month began with tragedy on September 2, when a gunman killed four homeless individuals during a shooting in suburban Chicago, according to CBS News. Just two days later, an even deadlier attack occurred during the Apalachee High School shooting in Georgia, leaving four people dead and nine injured.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs repealed the state’s 1864 abortion ban on September 14, marking a milestone in reproductive rights. Later in the month, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a groundbreaking bill prohibiting the replacement of actors with AI, setting a precedent for the entertainment industry, according to the Governor of California.
High-profile arrests and controversies dominated headlines. Sean “P. Diddy” Combs was arrested on September 16 for racketeering and sex trafficking, according to the United States Department of Justice, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams faced federal indictment on corruption charges later in the month.
October 2024 Brings Environmental Advances, Political Controversy
The month kicked off with two notable events on October 1. Former President Jimmy Carter celebrated his 100th birthday, making history as the first U.S. president to reach this milestone, according to the National Archives. On the same day, a vice presidential debate between Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance was held in New York City.
On October 2, Special Counsel Jack Smith filed new allegations against former President Donald Trump, claiming he led a “private criminal effort” to overturn the 2020 election results. Just a day later, election official Tina Peters was sentenced to nine years in prison for her role in promoting election conspiracy theories, becoming the first such official convicted in connection to the 2020 election, according to Colorado Newsline.
October also saw strides in environmental and technological progress. On October 8, the EPA set an ambitious ten-year deadline to replace all lead pipes in the U.S., a decision that promised to benefit millions of Americans. Meanwhile, SpaceX achieved a groundbreaking milestone on October 13, successfully capturing a Super Heavy booster from its Starship rocket, according to The Guardian.
November 2024 Brings Political Shifts
On November 1, South Carolina executed convicted murderer Richard Bernard Moore despite pleas for clemency from the judge, jury, prison staff, and his family, according to FITSNews. The execution sparked renewed debate over the ethics and application of the death penalty in the U.S.
On November 5, Donald Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance, triumphed over Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 United States presidential election. Trump’s victory made history as he became the second president to serve non-consecutive terms after Grover Cleveland and the first convicted felon to hold the office.
The Haitian crisis escalated on November 12, as the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all U.S. flights to Haiti following violent attacks on a Spirit Airlines flight, according to IR Insider. The airport in Port-au-Prince was also closed indefinitely.
Three daughters of Malcolm X filed a $100 million wrongful death lawsuit against the CIA, FBI, and the New York Police Department, accusing them of complicity in their father’s assassination.
December 2024 Brings Political Decisions, Legal Battles
On December 1, President Biden issued a pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, reversing his previous stance against granting pardons, according to The New York Times. This unexpected decision ignited debates about political influence and accountability.
On December 4, Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot outside the New York Hilton Midtown in what police described as a “targeted attack,” according to AP News. Police arrested 26-year-old Luigi Mangione on December 6 in connection with the shooting of Brian Thompson.
On December 6, a federal appeals court rejected TikTok’s bid to overturn a law that would see the app banned or sold in the U.S. starting in 2025. This legal defeat added to the ongoing debate over national security and foreign influence in the tech industry.
