The Year in Hindsight

By C. Moura

2024 was a remarkable year as a whole, full of surprises, not only in the Olympics but also in politics and even scientifically. And, of course, we cant forget about our British icons who  even were Grammy winners… 

Let us start from the start of 2024. In January 19, 2024, Japan accomplished a safe landing on the moon, in a mission of investigation of the moon, and achieved the historic milestone. That was very good for them because they became the fifth country to successfully land on the moon and be able to do advanced exploration. 
 
Then, the Olympics in the summer of July and August, where all of the best athletes were together in Paris. Many of the winners were from the USA, China and Japan. Very well done for them. But, also in the Olympics, happened something tragic in the Seine river: the athletes swimming in the Seine's water got very ill after the race and then got sick, and people were saying that the river was contaminated by pollution. The mayor of Paris, a very courageous woman called Anne Hidalgo, went inside the river to prove it was clean. There are no reports saying she got sick but after it some scientists went to do a water exam and it really was contaminated. Now, they are taking good care of it so the water is clean again. 
 
Some months later, in September, we had a tragic loss of an iconic British actress who passed away with the age of 89. She was known for participating in the film ‘Harry Potter’, playing Professor McGonagall. Her career was 70 years long, and she won numerous awards including two Oscars and Five BAFTAs. Her family preferred not to announce what caused her death, whether she got ill or she died from old age, and the only thing they said was that she died peacefully with her family by her side. 
 
But, we cannot forget about November, which was a month in which many things happened. Firstly, Donald Trump was again nominated president of USA. With his victory, there were people who showed dissatisfaction, and some only voted for him because they were unhappy with the current president, but may have liked Trump's ideas.  

Also, in November, Beyoncé became the most Grammy nominated artist in the whole world, with 32 Grammys in total: that is a giant record, and she is an important successful artist. 
 
This was our year with remarkable moments. That’s all, thank you for reading.