USA 2020 Timeline

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Dec
14
Politics / Government

Sudan–United States relations, Global war on terrorism Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces that the United States has removed Sudan from the list of state

Sudan–United States relations, Global war on terrorism Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces that the United States has removed Sudan from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Sudan had recently paid a $335 million settlement to the US government for US victims of terrorist attacks. (Reuters)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 14, 2020
Dec
14
Immigration / Law / Policy

The Electoral College meets in the state capitals to officially elect the next President.

The Electoral College meets in the state capitals to officially elect the next President. Joe Biden, the presumptive president-elect, is officially elected president after securing California's 55 electoral votes and will be inaugurated on January 20. Outgoing President Donald Trump continues to dispute the results of the election, claiming widespread electoral fraud, despite numerous failed lawsuits. (The Guardian)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 14, 2020
Dec
14
Politics / Government

Outgoing U.S.

Outgoing U.S. Representative Paul Mitchell announces that he has left the Republican Party to become a independent over outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump's voter fraud claims and attempts to overturn the results. (ABC News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 14, 2020
Dec
14
Politics / Government

COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The United States begins administering their first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccination in the United States The United States begins administering their first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Sandra Lindsay, a nurse at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York, becomes the first person in the country to receive the vaccine outside of a clinical trial. (ABC News) COVID-19 pandemic in West Virginia Governor Jim Justice becomes one of the first elected officials to receive the vaccine. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 14, 2020
Dec
14
War / Conflict / Security

Turkey–United States relations, CAATSA Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces that the United States has imposed sanctions on Turkey over its acquisition of t

Turkey–United States relations, CAATSA Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announces that the United States has imposed sanctions on Turkey over its acquisition of the S-400 missile defense system from Russia. This move is the first time that the CAATSA has been used to penalize a U.S. ally. (AP)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 14, 2020
Dec
15
Immigration / Law / Policy

2020 United States federal government data breach United States National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien interrupts a trip to Europe, returning to Washington, D

2020 United States federal government data breach United States National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien interrupts a trip to Europe, returning to Washington, D.C. to address a cyberattack that is said to have targeted several federal government agencies. The U.S. National Security Council announces the formation of a "Cyber Unified Coordination Group," based on Presidential Policy Directive 41. (Politico) (NextGov)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 15, 2020
Dec
15
Immigration / Law / Policy

United States National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien interrupts a trip to Europe, returning to Washington, D.C.

United States National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien interrupts a trip to Europe, returning to Washington, D.C. to address a cyberattack that is said to have targeted several federal government agencies. The U.S. National Security Council announces the formation of a "Cyber Unified Coordination Group," based on Presidential Policy Directive 41. (Politico) (NextGov)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 15, 2020
Dec
15
Politics / Government

LGBT rights in Hungary The National Assembly passes a number of changes to the Constitution of Hungary which bar same-sex couples from adopting children.

LGBT rights in Hungary The National Assembly passes a number of changes to the Constitution of Hungary which bar same-sex couples from adopting children. The amendments also lowers the legal threshold for the government to declare a state of emergency, and further reduces the oversights the government is required to take with regard to the spending of public funds, which critics say will allow the government to use state money to benefit loyalists. (The New York Times)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 15, 2020
Dec
15
Politics / Government

Russia–United States relations Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulates President-elect Joe Biden for the first time.

Russia–United States relations Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulates President-elect Joe Biden for the first time. (CNBC) Mexico–United States relations Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador congratulates President-elect Joe Biden for the first time. (The Washington Post) Brazil–United States relations Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro congratulates President-elect Joe Biden for the first time. (WXXI)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 15, 2020
Dec
15
Politics / Government

The National Assembly passes a number of changes to the Constitution of Hungary which bar same-sex couples from adopting children.

The National Assembly passes a number of changes to the Constitution of Hungary which bar same-sex couples from adopting children. The amendments also lowers the legal threshold for the government to declare a state of emergency, and further reduces the oversights the government is required to take with regard to the spending of public funds, which critics say will allow the government to use state money to benefit loyalists. (The New York Times)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 15, 2020
Dec
16
War / Conflict / Security

War in Afghanistan Gunmen attack a security checkpoint in Puli Khumri, Baghlan Province, killing 13 police officers.

War in Afghanistan Gunmen attack a security checkpoint in Puli Khumri, Baghlan Province, killing 13 police officers. An armoured personnel carrier and several police vehicles are also destroyed during the attack, which Afghan officials blame on the Taliban. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. (Al Jazeera)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 16, 2020
Dec
16
War / Conflict / Security

A man arrested in the Philippines in July 2019 is indicted by federal prosecutors in New York for plotting to carry out a 9/11-style attack in the U.S.

A man arrested in the Philippines in July 2019 is indicted by federal prosecutors in New York for plotting to carry out a 9/11-style attack in the U.S. The suspect was allegedly directed by the terrorist organization al-Shabaab to attend a flight school in the Philippines and research how to hijack a commercial airliner. (NBC News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 16, 2020
Dec
16
Major Trends

Switzerland–United States relations, United States–Vietnam relations The United States Department of the Treasury formally labels Switzerland and Vietnam as cur

Switzerland–United States relations, United States–Vietnam relations The United States Department of the Treasury formally labels Switzerland and Vietnam as currency manipulators, accusing them of intervening to limit the rise of their currencies against the U.S. dollar. Switzerland rejects the label. (BBC News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 16, 2020
Dec
17
War / Conflict / Security

A knifeman kills two elderly people after storming their home and then tries to attack police officers on a highway in Brisbane, Australia.

A knifeman kills two elderly people after storming their home and then tries to attack police officers on a highway in Brisbane, Australia. The attacker, who is shot dead by police, has been identified as a 22-year-old man inspired by the Islamic State. He was arrested in early 2019 when he tried to join the group in Somalia. (CNA)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 17, 2020
Dec
17
War / Conflict / Security

Terrorism in Australia A knifeman kills two elderly people after storming their home and then tries to attack police officers on a highway in Brisbane, Australi

Terrorism in Australia A knifeman kills two elderly people after storming their home and then tries to attack police officers on a highway in Brisbane, Australia. The attacker, who is shot dead by police, has been identified as a 22-year-old man inspired by the Islamic State. He was arrested in early 2019 when he tried to join the group in Somalia. (CNA)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 17, 2020
Dec
17
Politics / Government

Adass Israel School sex abuse scandal Israeli Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn signs an extradition order to Australia for accused child sex abuser Malka Leifer,

Adass Israel School sex abuse scandal Israeli Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn signs an extradition order to Australia for accused child sex abuser Malka Leifer, after she was convicted of faking mental illness to avoid extradition earlier this year. (The Guardian)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 17, 2020
Dec
17
Immigration / Law / Policy

Modern display of the Confederate battle flag New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signs into law a bill banning the display and sale of Confederate battle flags, Naz

Modern display of the Confederate battle flag New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signs into law a bill banning the display and sale of Confederate battle flags, Nazi swastikas and other 'symbols of hate' on state-owned property. Cuomo has promised to address concerns that this law could violate freedom of speech. (WNBC-TV)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 17, 2020
Dec
17
Immigration / Law / Policy

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signs into law a bill banning the display and sale of Confederate battle flags, Nazi swastikas and other 'symbols of hate' on sta

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signs into law a bill banning the display and sale of Confederate battle flags, Nazi swastikas and other 'symbols of hate' on state-owned property. Cuomo has promised to address concerns that this law could violate freedom of speech. (WNBC-TV)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 17, 2020
Dec
18
Politics / Government

2020 United States federal government data breach The Department of Energy confirms that it has been breached along with other federal government agencies, but

2020 United States federal government data breach The Department of Energy confirms that it has been breached along with other federal government agencies, but says that the country's nuclear weapons arsenal has not been compromised. The mass data breach is now considered the worst ever cyberattack on the U.S. government. (BBC)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 18, 2020
Dec
18
Politics / Government

The Department of Energy confirms that it has been breached along with other federal government agencies, but says that the country's nuclear weapons arsenal ha

The Department of Energy confirms that it has been breached along with other federal government agencies, but says that the country's nuclear weapons arsenal has not been compromised. The mass data breach is now considered the worst ever cyberattack on the U.S. government. (BBC)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 18, 2020
Dec
18
Immigration / Law / Policy

The Supreme Court of the United States, in an unsigned 6–3 decision, dismisses Trump v.

The Supreme Court of the United States, in an unsigned 6–3 decision, dismisses Trump v. New York, ruling that the challenge to the Trump administration's memo requiring the Census Bureau to report the results of the 2020 United States census with the exclusion of undocumented immigrants for apportionment is premature, and that no judicial review can be taken until after the data has been collected. The Bureau faces a December 31 deadline to report the results, which they have previously indicated that they may miss. (The New York Times)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 18, 2020
Dec
18
Politics / Government

Vice President Mike Pence, Second Lady Karen Pence, Surgeon General Jerome Adams, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, and Senate Majori

Vice President Mike Pence, Second Lady Karen Pence, Surgeon General Jerome Adams, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine today. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, who recovered from COVID-19 in October, say that they will receive their vaccines "at the appropriate time". (NBC News) (The State)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 18, 2020
Dec
18
Culture / Society

2020–2021 United States racial unrest George Floyd protests, George Floyd protests in New York City The New York City Department of Investigation accuses the po

2020–2021 United States racial unrest George Floyd protests, George Floyd protests in New York City The New York City Department of Investigation accuses the police department of mishandling their response to Black Lives Matter protests in the city, which broke out following the killing of George Floyd. (The Wall Street Journal)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 18, 2020
Dec
18
Culture / Society

George Floyd protests, George Floyd protests in New York City The New York City Department of Investigation accuses the police department of mishandling their r

George Floyd protests, George Floyd protests in New York City The New York City Department of Investigation accuses the police department of mishandling their response to Black Lives Matter protests in the city, which broke out following the killing of George Floyd. (The Wall Street Journal)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 18, 2020
Dec
18
Health / Disasters

Islamic Defenders Front, Islam in Indonesia Supporters of the controversial Indonesian Islamic cleric Muhammad Rizieq Shihab clash with police during a demonstr

Islamic Defenders Front, Islam in Indonesia Supporters of the controversial Indonesian Islamic cleric Muhammad Rizieq Shihab clash with police during a demonstration in Jakarta, demanding immediate release of Shihab from police detention. Shihab was arrested last weekend for violations of health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic after large gatherings occurred to celebrate his return to the country from self-exile in Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 18, 2020
Dec
18
Health / Disasters

Supporters of the controversial Indonesian Islamic cleric Muhammad Rizieq Shihab clash with police during a demonstration in Jakarta, demanding immediate releas

Supporters of the controversial Indonesian Islamic cleric Muhammad Rizieq Shihab clash with police during a demonstration in Jakarta, demanding immediate release of Shihab from police detention. Shihab was arrested last weekend for violations of health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic after large gatherings occurred to celebrate his return to the country from self-exile in Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 18, 2020
Dec
19
Politics / Government

2020 United States federal government data breach President Donald Trump speaks for the first time about the breach, saying it is "well in control".

2020 United States federal government data breach President Donald Trump speaks for the first time about the breach, saying it is "well in control". He also suggests China is to blame, contradicting earlier U.S. government claims that put forward Russia as a suspect. (NBC News)

Source: Wikipedia Current Events | Dec 19, 2020
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