LOCKDOWN AND RECKONING: A 2020 TIMELINE
The year seemed to start out at a pace we are used to — politicians debated and insulted one another, British royals made headlines, teams squared off in the Super Bowl, Hollywood strutted its stuff at the Oscars. And an impeached president faced trial in the Senate. It was an extraordinary event, only the third such trial in U.S. history. At the time, it seemed to set a high bar for memorable events in 2020. JANUARY
Jan. 1: One of the worst fire seasons in Australian history continues as thousands of people evacuate and millions of acres burn.
Jan. 3: Iranian Gen. Qassem Suleimani, leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, is killed in a U.S. airstrike in Iraq.
Jan. 5: “1917,” “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood” and HBO are the big winners at the Golden Globe Awards.
Jan. 7: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues a travel notice for Americans going to Wuhan, China. On Dec. 31, 2019, Chinese authorities had reported a cluster of pneumonia cases associated with a seafood and poultry market in Wuhan.
Jan. 8: Iran’s military shoots down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 after takeoff from Tehran, killing all 176 people on board.
Jan. 8: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle step back from royal duties.
Jan. 15: The U.S. House votes to send articles of impeachment (abuse of power and obstruction of Congress) against President Trump to the U.S. Senate.
Jan. 20: The first case of a coronavirus infection, that of a 35year-old man who returned from China, is reported in the United States.
Jan. 26: Kobe Bryant, his 13-yearold daughter, Gianna, and seven others die in a helicopter crash near Calabasas.
If only we had known.
Jan. 26: Billie Eilish sweeps the top four categories — song, record, album and new artist — at the Grammys.
Jan. 30: The World Health Organization declares the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency.
Jan. 31: United Kingdom withdraws from the European Union, making Brexit official. Actual separation will occur Dec. 31.
Jan. 31: President Trump bans travel from China, with a few exceptions.
FEBRUARY
Feb. 2: The Kansas City Chiefs defeat the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl.
Feb. 3: The Iowa Democratic caucuses unfold to chaos; former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg is eventually declared the winner.
Feb. 4: Impeachment overshadows President Trump’s State of the Union address; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tears up a copy of his speech during the last few seconds.
Feb. 5: Senate acquits President Trump of abusing power of his office and obstructing Congress’ investigation into his conduct.
Feb. 7: President Trump fires EU Ambassador Gordon Sondland and National Security Council advisor Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, both of whom testified against the president during the impeachment trial.
Feb. 9: “Parasite” pulls off an upset at the Oscars, winning four Academy Awards, including best picture.
Feb. 11: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders wins the New Hampshire Democratic primary.
Feb. 23: Ahmaud Arbery, a Black man, is shot and killed by a white father and son while jogging in Georgia; the two men are arrested 2½ months later and charged with felony murder and aggravated assault.
Feb. 25: Bob Iger steps down at the Walt Disney Co. after 15 years in the job; Bob Chapek is named new CEO.
Feb. 29: Former Vice President Joe Biden scores an overwhelming victory in the South Carolina Democratic primary, reigniting his presidential campaign.
Feb. 29: The first COVID-19 death is reported in the U.S., though earlier deaths will be reported later.
MARCH
March 1: Pete Buttigieg drops out of the presidential race and endorses Joe Biden.
[See Timeline,