USA 2020 Timeline

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Showing 75 events on this page. Use search or category filters to narrow the year.
Nov
12
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in the Marshall Islands President David Kabua states that the Marshall Islands are COVID-free again after the US

COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in the Marshall Islands President David Kabua states that the Marshall Islands are COVID-free again after the US Army workman who had tested positive is no longer contagious. Initially, two US Armed Forces personnel had tested positive for the virus and have both recovered. (RNZ) COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins asks New Zealanders who work in the Auckland CBD to stay home if possible from tomorrow after a new case was found in the city. (The Guardian)

Nov
12
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in the Marshall Islands President David Kabua states that the Marshall Islands are COVID-free again after the US Army workman who had tested p

COVID-19 pandemic in the Marshall Islands President David Kabua states that the Marshall Islands are COVID-free again after the US Army workman who had tested positive is no longer contagious. Initially, two US Armed Forces personnel had tested positive for the virus and have both recovered. (RNZ)

Nov
13
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, COVID-19 vaccine Indonesia reports a record 5,444 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 457,735 cases

COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, COVID-19 vaccine Indonesia reports a record 5,444 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 457,735 cases. Central Java reports the highest number of new cases, with 1,362 new cases. (detikHealth) President Joko Widodo states that the country has sought emergency authorization to start a mass vaccination programme by the end of the year using CoronaVac and the Sinopharm vaccine. He also said that health workers, military and police will be the first to receive the vaccine. (Reuters)

Nov
13
Politics / Government

President Joko Widodo states that the country has sought emergency authorization to start a mass vaccination programme by the end of the year using CoronaVac an

President Joko Widodo states that the country has sought emergency authorization to start a mass vaccination programme by the end of the year using CoronaVac and the Sinopharm vaccine. He also said that health workers, military and police will be the first to receive the vaccine. (Reuters)

Nov
17
Politics / Government

President Donald Trump fires Chris Krebs, the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which oversaw the security of the 2020 el

President Donald Trump fires Chris Krebs, the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which oversaw the security of the 2020 election. Deputy Director Matthew Travis, who had expected to become acting director, is forced to resign. Krebs and the CISA have refuted Trump's accusations of voter fraud, calling the election the "most secure in American history". Trump has called Krebs' statements "highly inaccurate". (The Washington Post)

Nov
17
Politics / Government

Belarus–European Union relations, 2020 Belarusian protests Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls on European leaders to impose sanctions on s

Belarus–European Union relations, 2020 Belarusian protests Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls on European leaders to impose sanctions on supporters of President Alexander Lukashenko after police used tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse protesters. (Reuters)

Nov
17
Politics / Government

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris attend an unofficial security briefing from a team consisting of former advisers to both the Ob

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris attend an unofficial security briefing from a team consisting of former advisers to both the Obama and Trump administrations. The briefing stems from the Trump administration's refusal to cooperate with the Biden-Harris transition team. (The Independent)

Nov
17
Politics / Government

Presidential transition of Joe Biden President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris attend an unofficial security briefing from a team consist

Presidential transition of Joe Biden President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris attend an unofficial security briefing from a team consisting of former advisers to both the Obama and Trump administrations. The briefing stems from the Trump administration's refusal to cooperate with the Biden-Harris transition team. (The Independent)

Nov
18
Politics / Government

Iran–United States relations, United States sanctions against Iran Iran says that it will return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, better known as the

Iran–United States relations, United States sanctions against Iran Iran says that it will return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, better known as the "Iran Deal", if President-elect Joe Biden lifts sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump. (CBS News) The United States imposes sanctions against the Mostazafan Foundation, a foundation controlled by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, over alleged human rights abuses. (Al Jazeera)

Nov
21
Politics / Government

War in Afghanistan November 2020 Afghanistan attacks A rocket attack on residential areas in the Afghan capital Kabul kills at least eight people and injures 31

War in Afghanistan November 2020 Afghanistan attacks A rocket attack on residential areas in the Afghan capital Kabul kills at least eight people and injures 31 others. The Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack. (BBC News) Afghanistan–United States relations, Afghan peace process Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with the Taliban and the Afghanistan government in Doha, Qatar to negotiate a peace deal. (The Columbian)

Nov
21
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on religion Mourners pay respects to the former head of the Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irine

COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on religion Mourners pay respects to the former head of the Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej in Belgrade following his death due to COVID-19. Many mourners did not wear face masks or practice social distancing, and some kissed the glass shield that was covering the patriarch's body despite warnings from the Serbian government and epidemiologists. (AP)

Nov
21
Politics / Government

Mourners pay respects to the former head of the Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej in Belgrade following his death due to COVID-19.

Mourners pay respects to the former head of the Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej in Belgrade following his death due to COVID-19. Many mourners did not wear face masks or practice social distancing, and some kissed the glass shield that was covering the patriarch's body despite warnings from the Serbian government and epidemiologists. (AP)

Nov
22
Politics / Government

2020 Burkinabé general election Voters in Burkina Faso head to the polls in an election marred by a dramatic surge of terrorist attacks within the recent years.

2020 Burkinabé general election Voters in Burkina Faso head to the polls in an election marred by a dramatic surge of terrorist attacks within the recent years. Incumbent President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré of the People's Movement for Progress seeks another term while he is challenged by two main opponents, Zéphirin Diabré of the Union for Progress and Reform and Eddie Komboïgo of the Congress for Democracy and Progress. (DW)

Nov
22
Politics / Government

Voters in Burkina Faso head to the polls in an election marred by a dramatic surge of terrorist attacks within the recent years.

Voters in Burkina Faso head to the polls in an election marred by a dramatic surge of terrorist attacks within the recent years. Incumbent President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré of the People's Movement for Progress seeks another term while he is challenged by two main opponents, Zéphirin Diabré of the Union for Progress and Reform and Eddie Komboïgo of the Congress for Democracy and Progress. (DW)

Nov
23
Politics / Government

2020 United States presidential election, Presidential transition of Joe Biden The General Services Administration officially certifies President-elect Joe Bide

2020 United States presidential election, Presidential transition of Joe Biden The General Services Administration officially certifies President-elect Joe Biden as the "apparent winner" of the 2020 presidential election, and announces that the formal transition will be allowed to begin. (CNN) (AP)

Nov
23
Politics / Government

Israeli media reports that, on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly flew to Neom in Saudi Arabia for a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salm

Israeli media reports that, on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly flew to Neom in Saudi Arabia for a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz describes "the leak of the prime minister's secret flight to Saudi Arabia" as "an irresponsible move". Saudi Arabia denies that such a meeting occurred. On Saturday, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud repeated the 2002 Saudi Arab Peace Initiative offer to fully normalize relations, only after the Palestinians achieve statehood. (BBC News) (The New York Times)

Nov
28
Politics / Government

Assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists Assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Iranian president Hassan Rouhani vows to "respond" to Israel, whom the regime ha

Assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists Assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Iranian president Hassan Rouhani vows to "respond" to Israel, whom the regime has accused of orchestrating the killing, "at the proper time." (CNBC) The supercarrier USS Nimitz is deployed to the Persian Gulf from its station in Bahrain. The U.S. Navy maintains that the ship's deployment was not related to "any specific threat." (Reuters)

Nov
28
Politics / Government

Assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Iranian president Hassan Rouhani vows to "respond" to Israel, whom the regime has accused of orchestrating the killing, "at

Assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Iranian president Hassan Rouhani vows to "respond" to Israel, whom the regime has accused of orchestrating the killing, "at the proper time." (CNBC) The supercarrier USS Nimitz is deployed to the Persian Gulf from its station in Bahrain. The U.S. Navy maintains that the ship's deployment was not related to "any specific threat." (Reuters)

Nov
29
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic The Canadian federal government extends international travel restrictions for

COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic The Canadian federal government extends international travel restrictions for most travellers who are not Canadian citizens, permanent residents or people entering from the United States for "essential" reasons until January 21, 2021. (CBC)

Dec
02
Politics / Government

Hungarian MEP, EPP Chief Whip and Vice-President, and one of the founders of the anti-LGBT Fidesz party, József Szájer, resigns after being detained by police a

Hungarian MEP, EPP Chief Whip and Vice-President, and one of the founders of the anti-LGBT Fidesz party, József Szájer, resigns after being detained by police at a homosexual orgy in Brussels alongside several other diplomats. He stands accused by Belgian authorities of being in possession of illegal drugs and violating COVID-19 restrictions. (BBC News)

Dec
02
Politics / Government

LGBT rights in Hungary Hungarian MEP, EPP Chief Whip and Vice-President, and one of the founders of the anti-LGBT Fidesz party, József Szájer, resigns after bei

LGBT rights in Hungary Hungarian MEP, EPP Chief Whip and Vice-President, and one of the founders of the anti-LGBT Fidesz party, József Szájer, resigns after being detained by police at a homosexual orgy in Brussels alongside several other diplomats. He stands accused by Belgian authorities of being in possession of illegal drugs and violating COVID-19 restrictions. (BBC News)

Dec
02
Politics / Government

Legality of cannabis, Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) votes to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous

Legality of cannabis, Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) votes to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug after removing it from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, where it was listed alongside opioids such as heroin. This change is expected to bolster medical research and legalization efforts around the world. (The New York Times)

Dec
02
Politics / Government

The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) votes to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug after removing it from Schedule IV of the 1961 Singl

The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) votes to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug after removing it from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, where it was listed alongside opioids such as heroin. This change is expected to bolster medical research and legalization efforts around the world. (The New York Times)

Dec
03
Politics / Government

President-elect Joe Biden announces that Dr.

President-elect Joe Biden announces that Dr. Vivek Murthy and Jeff Zients will lead his administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also asked Dr. Anthony Fauci to remain in the White House Coronavirus Task Force and become its chief medical advisor. (Politico)

Dec
04
Politics / Government

Federated States of Micronesia–United States relations The Federated States of Micronesia declines to host the annual Operation Christmas Drop with the U.S.

Federated States of Micronesia–United States relations The Federated States of Micronesia declines to host the annual Operation Christmas Drop with the U.S. Air Force. The annual operation, which delivers food and other humanitarian aid to Pacific islanders, has been cancelled by Micronesian President David W. Panuelo, who cited the threat of COVID-19. (RNZ)

Dec
04
Politics / Government

Decriminalization of non-medical cannabis in the United States The House of Representatives votes 228–164 to pass a bill, known as the Marijuana Opportunity Rei

Decriminalization of non-medical cannabis in the United States The House of Representatives votes 228–164 to pass a bill, known as the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, that would decriminalize recreational cannabis at a federal level. (BBC News)

Dec
07
Politics / Government

2020 Ghanaian general election Voters in Ghana head to the polls to elect their president as well as the members of parliament.

2020 Ghanaian general election Voters in Ghana head to the polls to elect their president as well as the members of parliament. Current president Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party is expected to have a tight race with his most promising challenger, John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress. (Reuters)

Dec
07
Politics / Government

2020 Venezuelan parliamentary election President Nicolás Maduro's United Socialist Party of Venezuela has reportedly won almost 68% in Venezuela's latest parlia

2020 Venezuelan parliamentary election President Nicolás Maduro's United Socialist Party of Venezuela has reportedly won almost 68% in Venezuela's latest parliamentary election. The vote was overshadowed by a boycott of the political opposition led by Juan Guaidó and a low voter turnout of only 31%. (DW) The United States refuses to recognize the results, describing the election as a "charade". The European Union also rejects the legitimacy of the election. (Reuters) (VOA)

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