2010: The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
-It was one of the worst environmental disasters in history when the oil rig burst into flames for a whole 24 hours before sinking into the Gulf of Mexico. 4.9 million barrels of crude oil leaked into the ocean before it could be stopped.
2010: Eyjafjallajökull
The Iceland volcano erupted in April and caused big disruptions due to the giant plume that was moving across Europe; the airline industry lost $1.7 billion, 95,000 flights were cancelled in the 8 day period and in Germany every international airport was closed.
2011: Osama Bin Laden's Death
On May 2nd, Osama was killed by U.S forces (SEAL Team Six) in a compound in Pakistan. bin Laden and his terrorist group (Al-Qaeda) were responsible for the deaths of 2,977 people in the orchestrated 9/11 attacks. The President announced it on live TV and at sports games across the US that were happening at the same time people were rejoicing and chanting "USA! USA!". bin Laden's body was buried at sea to comply with Islamic law.
2011: Japan Earthquake
A 9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan and triggered a 30-ft tsunami which flooded roads, collapsed structures and cut off roads and highways. 22,000 people were killed or missing after the tsunami strike and the Fukishima Daiichi power plant's reactors blew which was the second worst nuclear accident in history, behind obviously Chernobyl.
2012: Cost Concordia Shipwreck
The ship was carrying 4,000 passengers when it collided with rocks when it tried to get closer to an island. 32 people were killed when the ship filled with seawater and began to sink and access to lifeboats was affected early on in the evacuation process.
2012: Diamond Jubilee
On February 6th, the Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee (60 years on the throne) and the Queen went on a tour of the UK and the British people held street parties on that day.
2013: Pope Benedict Abdicated
The Pope announced that he was stepping down because of health issues and it was made apparent that it was his own decision. The next Pope was chosen pretty quickly, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, known as Pope Francis. There is a movie about these events called 'Two Popes' which is available on Netflix.
2013: Nelson Mandela Death
The great leader of the anti-apartheid movement died on the 5th of December at age 95. Over his life, he had spent years in prison trying to overcome racism but also received a Nobel Prize. When the death was announced, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a great friend of Mandela, said "He made us all tall. God be praised".
2014: Crimea Annexed
Russia annexed a small part of Ukraine called Crimea when uniformed guards began appearing in the region. They were reviled to be Russian Special Forces and within days of popping up at Crimea had taken hold of the regional parliament and erected Russian flags.
2014: MH370
The world was shocked when Malaysian Airline 370 took of from Kuala Lumpur and simply dissapeared after saying "goodnight" to air traffic control. The plane went of the radar and then reappeared miles off course and a massive search ensued. Nothing was found except some of the wreckage but nothing on the 239 people on board was every discovered.
Part 2 is coming soon...
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