2021

Like the year 2020, 2021 was also heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the emergence of multiple COVID-19 variants. The major global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, which began at the end of 2020, continued in 2021. Most major events scheduled for 2020 that were postponed due to the pandemic were hosted in 2021, including the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, Expo 2020, and sporting events such as UEFA Euro 2020, the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, as well as the 2021 Copa América. 2021 additionally witnessed the rise of non-fungible tokens as a part of the global economy and numerous advancements in space exploration, particularly by the United Arab Emirates, NASA and SpaceX. Civil unrest grew in 2021, with coups occurring in Sudan, Myanmar, Mali and Guinea, and insurgencies occurring in Armenia and the United States. January 1 – The African Continental Free Trade Area comes into effect. January 4 – The border between Qatar and Saudi Arabia reopens. January 6 – Supporters of US President Donald Trump attack the US Capitol, disrupting certification of the 2020 presidential election, and forcing Congress to evacuate. Five people die during the ensuing riot. The event is classified as a domestic terrorist attack, and draws international condemnation. January 10 – Kim Jong-un is elected as the General Secretary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, inheriting the title from his father Kim Jong-il, who died in 2011. January 13 – In Lyon, France, the first transplant of both arms and shoulders is performed on an Icelandic patient at the Édouard Herriot Hospital. January 14 – The 2021 Ugandan general election is held. Incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled since 1986, wins reelection. January 15 The Lao People's Revolutionary Party elects Thongloun Sisoulith as its new General Secretary, replacing retiring chief Bounnhang Vorachith. Sisoulith is elected for a five-year term as top leader in Laos. COVID-19 pandemic: The global death toll from COVID-19 passes 2 million.