USA 2020 Timeline

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Showing 75 events on this page. Use search or category filters to narrow the year.
Jul
05
Politics / Government

2020 Dominican Republic general election After having been postponed once due to the COVID-19 pandemic, general elections are held in the Dominican Republic.

2020 Dominican Republic general election After having been postponed once due to the COVID-19 pandemic, general elections are held in the Dominican Republic. The electorate can vote for the new members of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies as well as the country's next president. (BBC News) Conservative candidate and opposition leader Luis Abinader is proclaimed the winner, ending 16 years of centre-left rule. (BBC News)

Jul
07
Politics / Government

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner resigns over the government's handling of the COVID-1

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador Vice President Otto Sonnenholzner resigns over the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia Thousands of people protest outside the House of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in the capital Belgrade, in response to President Aleksandar Vučić's plan on introducing stricter lockdown measures in Belgrade, due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city. A small group of protesters storm the building after pushing through a police cordon. (Reuters)

Jul
07
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia Thousands of people protest outside the House of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in the capital Belgrade, in respons

COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia Thousands of people protest outside the House of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in the capital Belgrade, in response to President Aleksandar Vučić's plan on introducing stricter lockdown measures in Belgrade, due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city. A small group of protesters storm the building after pushing through a police cordon. (Reuters)

Jul
07
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Sinovac Biotech is starting Phase III trials of its potential COVID-19 vaccine following a fast-t

COVID-19 pandemic in South America COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil Sinovac Biotech is starting Phase III trials of its potential COVID-19 vaccine following a fast-track approval for the trials by Brazilian regulators last week. The study, done in partnership with Brazilian vaccine producer Instituto Butantan, will recruit nearly 9,000 healthcare professionals working in COVID-19-specialized facilities and start this month. (Al Jazeera) President Jair Bolsonaro tests positive for COVID-19. (The Guardian) COVID-19 pandemic in Chile Chile surpasses 300,000 cases of COVID-19. (Cooperativa)

Jul
07
Politics / Government

Thousands of people protest outside the House of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in the capital Belgrade, in response to President Aleksandar Vu

Thousands of people protest outside the House of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in the capital Belgrade, in response to President Aleksandar Vučić's plan on introducing stricter lockdown measures in Belgrade, due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city. A small group of protesters storm the building after pushing through a police cordon. (Reuters)

Jul
08
Politics / Government

Politics of Ivory Coast Ivory Coast's Prime Minister and candidate for the presidential election Amadou Gon Coulibaly dies in office after falling ill at a mini

Politics of Ivory Coast Ivory Coast's Prime Minister and candidate for the presidential election Amadou Gon Coulibaly dies in office after falling ill at a ministerial meeting. He had recently returned from France after undergoing treatment for heart problems. (BBC News)

Jul
09
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte rejects the prospect of reopening the country during a televised cabinet meeting.

COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte rejects the prospect of reopening the country during a televised cabinet meeting. He goes on to claim that following the examples of the United States', Brazil's and others' "bold actions" would result in "pandemonium", and the potential resultant spike in COVID-19 cases would land the nation in "deep shit". (Vice)

Jul
09
Politics / Government

President Rodrigo Duterte rejects the prospect of reopening the country during a televised cabinet meeting.

President Rodrigo Duterte rejects the prospect of reopening the country during a televised cabinet meeting. He goes on to claim that following the examples of the United States', Brazil's and others' "bold actions" would result in "pandemonium", and the potential resultant spike in COVID-19 cases would land the nation in "deep shit". (Vice)

Jul
10
Politics / Government

Malian police throw tear gas and open fire at anti-government protesters occupying the national parliament building and the offices of state broadcaster Office

Malian police throw tear gas and open fire at anti-government protesters occupying the national parliament building and the offices of state broadcaster Office de Radiodiffusion-Télévision du Mali in Bamako. At least one person died from their injuries. (Reuters)

Jul
10
Politics / Government

Mueller special counsel investigation U.S.

Mueller special counsel investigation U.S. President Donald Trump commutes the sentence of longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone on seven felony crimes days before Stone was to report to a federal prison to serve a 40-month term. (The New York Times) (Fox News)

Jul
12
Politics / Government

Aftermath of the Sudanese Revolution Amid a series of reforms, Sudan bans female genital mutilation, decriminalizes apostasy, ends public flogging and lifts a 3

Aftermath of the Sudanese Revolution Amid a series of reforms, Sudan bans female genital mutilation, decriminalizes apostasy, ends public flogging and lifts a 36-year ban on the consumption of alcohol for non-Muslims, according to Justice Minister Nasreldin Abdelbari. (BBC News)

Jul
13
Politics / Government

China–United States relations In response to the United States placing sanctions on Chinese officials for their roles in the internment of Uyghurs, the Chinese

China–United States relations In response to the United States placing sanctions on Chinese officials for their roles in the internment of Uyghurs, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announces it will place sanctions on several American politicians, such as Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, and the government agency Congressional-Executive Commission on China for "wrong actions". (BBC News) The U.S. State Department formally rejects most of China's maritime claims in the South China Sea. (U.S. Department of State)

Jul
13
Politics / Government

In response to the United States placing sanctions on Chinese officials for their roles in the internment of Uyghurs, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announces it

In response to the United States placing sanctions on Chinese officials for their roles in the internment of Uyghurs, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announces it will place sanctions on several American politicians, such as Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, and the government agency Congressional-Executive Commission on China for "wrong actions". (BBC News)

Jul
14
Politics / Government

2020 United States elections 2020 United States Senate elections People in Maine, Alabama, and Texas are expected to cast their votes in both regular and run of

2020 United States elections 2020 United States Senate elections People in Maine, Alabama, and Texas are expected to cast their votes in both regular and run off primaries. (CNN) Former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville defeats former attorney general Jeff Sessions in the Alabama Republican primary. Tuberville will face Democratic incumbent Doug Jones. (Vox)

Jul
14
Politics / Government

2020 United States Senate elections People in Maine, Alabama, and Texas are expected to cast their votes in both regular and run off primaries.

2020 United States Senate elections People in Maine, Alabama, and Texas are expected to cast their votes in both regular and run off primaries. (CNN) Former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville defeats former attorney general Jeff Sessions in the Alabama Republican primary. Tuberville will face Democratic incumbent Doug Jones. (Vox)

Jul
15
Politics / Government

2020 United States presidential election Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign President Trump replaces Brad Parscale as campaign manager with Bill Stepien, f

2020 United States presidential election Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign President Trump replaces Brad Parscale as campaign manager with Bill Stepien, former White House political director and a field director for the 2016 presidential campaign. Parscale, who has reportedly been blamed for the poorly attended rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, last month, will stay on as senior adviser. (BBC News) (UPI)

Jul
15
Politics / Government

Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign President Trump replaces Brad Parscale as campaign manager with Bill Stepien, former White House political director and

Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign President Trump replaces Brad Parscale as campaign manager with Bill Stepien, former White House political director and a field director for the 2016 presidential campaign. Parscale, who has reportedly been blamed for the poorly attended rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, last month, will stay on as senior adviser. (BBC News) (UPI)

Jul
15
Politics / Government

President Trump replaces Brad Parscale as campaign manager with Bill Stepien, former White House political director and a field director for the 2016 presidenti

President Trump replaces Brad Parscale as campaign manager with Bill Stepien, former White House political director and a field director for the 2016 presidential campaign. Parscale, who has reportedly been blamed for the poorly attended rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, last month, will stay on as senior adviser. (BBC News) (UPI)

Jul
16
Politics / Government

George Floyd protests, George Floyd protests in Oregon Kate Brown, governor of Oregon, criticizes President Donald Trump and acting Secretary of Homeland Securi

George Floyd protests, George Floyd protests in Oregon Kate Brown, governor of Oregon, criticizes President Donald Trump and acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf amid reports of federal agents detaining protesters in Portland, Oregon, the most populous city in the state. Wolf tweeted the previous day that the forces were sent to the city due to it being "under siege for 47 straight days by a violent mob." (The Hill)

Jul
16
Politics / Government

Kate Brown, governor of Oregon, criticizes President Donald Trump and acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf amid reports of federal agents detaining p

Kate Brown, governor of Oregon, criticizes President Donald Trump and acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf amid reports of federal agents detaining protesters in Portland, Oregon, the most populous city in the state. Wolf tweeted the previous day that the forces were sent to the city due to it being "under siege for 47 straight days by a violent mob." (The Hill)

Jul
18
Politics / Government

George Floyd protests in Oregon George Floyd protests in Portland Several protesters in Portland, Oregon, are arrested.

George Floyd protests in Oregon George Floyd protests in Portland Several protesters in Portland, Oregon, are arrested. Authorities said protesters allegedly blocked exits of government buildings and launched fireworks. Saturday morning's arrests came after the US Attorney for Oregon on Friday requested an investigation into masked, camouflaged federal authorities who have recently arrested Portland protesters. (CNN)

Jul
18
Politics / Government

George Floyd protests in Portland Several protesters in Portland, Oregon, are arrested.

George Floyd protests in Portland Several protesters in Portland, Oregon, are arrested. Authorities said protesters allegedly blocked exits of government buildings and launched fireworks. Saturday morning's arrests came after the US Attorney for Oregon on Friday requested an investigation into masked, camouflaged federal authorities who have recently arrested Portland protesters. (CNN)

Jul
18
Politics / Government

Several protesters in Portland, Oregon, are arrested.

Several protesters in Portland, Oregon, are arrested. Authorities said protesters allegedly blocked exits of government buildings and launched fireworks. Saturday morning's arrests came after the US Attorney for Oregon on Friday requested an investigation into masked, camouflaged federal authorities who have recently arrested Portland protesters. (CNN)

Jul
19
Politics / Government

Officials in Sierra Leone report that four protesters, looking to block the movement of a power generator to another town, were killed in the city of Makeni in

Officials in Sierra Leone report that four protesters, looking to block the movement of a power generator to another town, were killed in the city of Makeni in Saturday's protests after both police and soldiers opened fire on them. The government had acknowledged "potential loss of life" but had not provided details. (Reuters)

Jul
20
Politics / Government

2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia Democratic Party of Georgia Chair and State Senator Nikema Williams is selected by the party's

2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Georgia Democratic Party of Georgia Chair and State Senator Nikema Williams is selected by the party's Executive Committee to replace the name of the late incumbent John Lewis on the ballot for Georgia's 5th congressional district for the November 3 general election. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Jul
20
Politics / Government

Democratic Party of Georgia Chair and State Senator Nikema Williams is selected by the party's Executive Committee to replace the name of the late incumbent Joh

Democratic Party of Georgia Chair and State Senator Nikema Williams is selected by the party's Executive Committee to replace the name of the late incumbent John Lewis on the ballot for Georgia's 5th congressional district for the November 3 general election. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Jul
20
Politics / Government

George Floyd protests in Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she has "great concerns" about the possibility that President Donald Trump could deploy federal agent

George Floyd protests in Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she has "great concerns" about the possibility that President Donald Trump could deploy federal agents to Chicago to crack down on gun violence and protests, similar to an approach in Portland, Oregon. The Trump Administration will be sending 175 federal agents to Chicago to assist police in curbing violent crime. (WBBM-TV)

Jul
20
Politics / Government

George Floyd protests in the United States George Floyd protests in Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she has "great concerns" about the possibility that Presid

George Floyd protests in the United States George Floyd protests in Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she has "great concerns" about the possibility that President Donald Trump could deploy federal agents to Chicago to crack down on gun violence and protests, similar to an approach in Portland, Oregon. The Trump Administration will be sending 175 federal agents to Chicago to assist police in curbing violent crime. (WBBM-TV)

Jul
20
Politics / Government

Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she has "great concerns" about the possibility that President Donald Trump could deploy federal agents to Chicago to crack down on gun

Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she has "great concerns" about the possibility that President Donald Trump could deploy federal agents to Chicago to crack down on gun violence and protests, similar to an approach in Portland, Oregon. The Trump Administration will be sending 175 federal agents to Chicago to assist police in curbing violent crime. (WBBM-TV)

Jul
21
Politics / Government

A gunman carrying explosives takes 16 people hostage aboard a public bus in Lutsk, Ukraine.

A gunman carrying explosives takes 16 people hostage aboard a public bus in Lutsk, Ukraine. Police said they identified the man, who had expressed frustrations with the Ukrainian system on social media. All the hostages are freed unharmed following the gunman's surrender to police after hours of negotiations, shortly before the President Volodymyr Zelensky gave into one of the gunman's demands and posted a video on Facebook saying, "Everyone should watch the 2005 film Earthlings." (AP) (BBC News)

Jul
21
Politics / Government

Lutsk hostage crisis A gunman carrying explosives takes 16 people hostage aboard a public bus in Lutsk, Ukraine.

Lutsk hostage crisis A gunman carrying explosives takes 16 people hostage aboard a public bus in Lutsk, Ukraine. Police said they identified the man, who had expressed frustrations with the Ukrainian system on social media. All the hostages are freed unharmed following the gunman's surrender to police after hours of negotiations, shortly before the President Volodymyr Zelensky gave into one of the gunman's demands and posted a video on Facebook saying, "Everyone should watch the 2005 film Earthlings." (AP) (BBC News)

Jul
22
Politics / Government

China–United States relations The United States orders the closure of China's consulate in Houston.

China–United States relations The United States orders the closure of China's consulate in Houston. Morgan Ortagus, the spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of State, says that the United States directed the consulate's closure "in order to protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information". The Chinese government condemns the "outrageous and unjustified" move and threatens countermeasures against the United States. (Al Jazeera)

Jul
22
Politics / Government

The United States orders the closure of China's consulate in Houston.

The United States orders the closure of China's consulate in Houston. Morgan Ortagus, the spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of State, says that the United States directed the consulate's closure "in order to protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information". The Chinese government condemns the "outrageous and unjustified" move and threatens countermeasures against the United States. (Al Jazeera)

Jul
22
Politics / Government

Removal of Confederate monuments and memorials The United States House of Representatives votes on a bill to remove Confederate statues from the United States C

Removal of Confederate monuments and memorials The United States House of Representatives votes on a bill to remove Confederate statues from the United States Capitol, as well as replacing the bust of Chief Justice Roger B. Taney with Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall. (CNN)

Jul
23
Politics / Government

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics COVID-19 pandemic in Florida President Donald Trump announces that the 2020 Republican National Convention in Jackso

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics COVID-19 pandemic in Florida President Donald Trump announces that the 2020 Republican National Convention in Jacksonville will be cancelled. (NPR) 2020 Bolivian general election The general election is postponed until October 18 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, which has infected more than 64,000 people, and killed more than 2,300. This is the second time the Interim Government has delayed the elections since the 2019 Bolivian political crisis late last year that forced the resignation of former president Evo Morales. (Reuters)

Jul
23
Politics / Government

Afghan peace process The United States condemns Wednesday's airstrikes against the Taliban in Herat which resulted in 45 deaths, many of them civilians.

Afghan peace process The United States condemns Wednesday's airstrikes against the Taliban in Herat which resulted in 45 deaths, many of them civilians. The U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said that children were killed and also condemned recent Taliban attacks. The Afghan government defends the airstrikes as an operation against the group. (Reuters)

Jul
23
Politics / Government

The United States condemns Wednesday's airstrikes against the Taliban in Herat which resulted in 45 deaths, many of them civilians.

The United States condemns Wednesday's airstrikes against the Taliban in Herat which resulted in 45 deaths, many of them civilians. The U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said that children were killed and also condemned recent Taliban attacks. The Afghan government defends the airstrikes as an operation against the group. (Reuters)

Jul
24
Politics / Government

2020 United States presidential election 2020 United States presidential election in Arizona The headquarters of the Arizona Democratic Party are burnt down in

2020 United States presidential election 2020 United States presidential election in Arizona The headquarters of the Arizona Democratic Party are burnt down in the early hours of 24 July in an apparent arson attack, according to Phoenix Police Department. Nobody was hurt in the attack. The attack comes in the wake of several opinion polls showing Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden as leading against his opponent, Republican Party presidential nominee Donald Trump in the state. (USA Today)

Jul
24
Politics / Government

2020 United States presidential election in Arizona The headquarters of the Arizona Democratic Party are burnt down in the early hours of 24 July in an apparent

2020 United States presidential election in Arizona The headquarters of the Arizona Democratic Party are burnt down in the early hours of 24 July in an apparent arson attack, according to Phoenix Police Department. Nobody was hurt in the attack. The attack comes in the wake of several opinion polls showing Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden as leading against his opponent, Republican Party presidential nominee Donald Trump in the state. (USA Today)

Jul
24
Politics / Government

The headquarters of the Arizona Democratic Party are burnt down in the early hours of 24 July in an apparent arson attack, according to Phoenix Police Departmen

The headquarters of the Arizona Democratic Party are burnt down in the early hours of 24 July in an apparent arson attack, according to Phoenix Police Department. Nobody was hurt in the attack. The attack comes in the wake of several opinion polls showing Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden as leading against his opponent, Republican Party presidential nominee Donald Trump in the state. (USA Today)

Jul
24
Politics / Government

Roughly half of the staff of index.hu, Hungary's biggest news site, resign in protest of the firing of the editor-in-chief last week.

Roughly half of the staff of index.hu, Hungary's biggest news site, resign in protest of the firing of the editor-in-chief last week. The termination happened months after 50% of the site's advertising was purchased by media executive Miklos Vaszily, who has close ties to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. (The New York Times)

Jul
27
Politics / Government

China–Philippines relations Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he has no choice but to treat the disputes in the South China Sea diplomatically because t

China–Philippines relations Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he has no choice but to treat the disputes in the South China Sea diplomatically because the alternative is to "go to war with China", defending a government decision not to press a ruling that went in favor of the Philippines. Separately, Duterte claimed China may offer vaccines “on credit” if not as a donation and grants package. (Reuters) (Asia Times)

Jul
27
Politics / Government

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he has no choice but to treat the disputes in the South China Sea diplomatically because the alternative is to "go to

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he has no choice but to treat the disputes in the South China Sea diplomatically because the alternative is to "go to war with China", defending a government decision not to press a ruling that went in favor of the Philippines. Separately, Duterte claimed China may offer vaccines “on credit” if not as a donation and grants package. (Reuters) (Asia Times)

Jul
27
Politics / Government

Libyan Civil War (2014–present) The United Nations Support Mission in Libya announces it will begin an audit of the central banks of the internationally-recogni

Libyan Civil War (2014–present) The United Nations Support Mission in Libya announces it will begin an audit of the central banks of the internationally-recognized Government of National Accord and the rival House of Representatives, saying it is a “critical step” in eventually uniting both factions. (Reuters)

Jul
27
Politics / Government

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya announces it will begin an audit of the central banks of the internationally-recognized Government of National Accor

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya announces it will begin an audit of the central banks of the internationally-recognized Government of National Accord and the rival House of Representatives, saying it is a “critical step” in eventually uniting both factions. (Reuters)

Jul
27
Politics / Government

George Floyd protests in Portland, Oregon United States Attorney General William Barr defends the Department of Justice's decision to send security forces to Po

George Floyd protests in Portland, Oregon United States Attorney General William Barr defends the Department of Justice's decision to send security forces to Portland in a congressional testimony. Portland has seen 61 consecutive days of protests, which escalated after federal officers arrived this month. (BBC News)

Jul
27
Politics / Government

United States Attorney General William Barr defends the Department of Justice's decision to send security forces to Portland in a congressional testimony.

United States Attorney General William Barr defends the Department of Justice's decision to send security forces to Portland in a congressional testimony. Portland has seen 61 consecutive days of protests, which escalated after federal officers arrived this month. (BBC News)

Jul
28
Politics / Government

Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU–PF threatens U.S.

Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU–PF threatens U.S. ambassador Brian A. Nichols with expulsion and calls him a "thug", accusing him of funding organizers of anti-government protests planned for Friday. The embassy denies the accusations of meddling in local politics and did not comment on the insult. (AP)

Jul
29
Politics / Government

Syrian civil war The U.S.

Syrian civil war The U.S. imposes further sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his 19-year-old son Hafez, and warns that it will also sanction anyone who engages with the government in Damascus. Kelly Craft, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, says the sanctions are not intended to harm civilians and that they do not target humanitarian aid. (Reuters)

Jul
30
Politics / Government

Presidency of Donald Trump U.S.

Presidency of Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested November's presidential election could be postponed, saying increased postal voting could lead to fraud and inaccurate results. Under the U.S. Constitution, Trump does not have the authority to postpone the election himself; a delay would have to be approved by both houses of Congress. (BBC News)

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