Unforgettable World Events of 2018
The year 2018 was marked by numerous events that made it a memorable year in history. From the global stir caused by U.S. President Donald Trump’s interactions with world leaders to the tsunami that struck Indonesia in the final month of the year, 2018 will be remembered by many in their own way.
In global politics, the trade war between the U.S. and China, tensions between Russia and the UK, ongoing disputes between Pakistan and India, the UK’s exit from the European Union (Brexit), and discussions surrounding North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and the Syrian conflict dominated headlines.
Key events such as the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the reconciliation between North and South Korean leaders, the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, claims by a Chinese scientist of creating gene-edited babies, and the unveiling of the world’s tallest statue also garnered significant attention. Russia faced increased sanctions due to its military displays and an attack on two former Russian diplomats in the UK.
Natural disasters and terrorist attacks also plagued 2018. Before bidding farewell to the year, this is an attempt to summarize the major events of 2018.
#MeToo Movement
The #MeToo movement, addressing sexual harassment and physical and mental abuse against women, gained significant momentum in 2018. On January 1, approximately 300 Hollywood women launched the “Time’s Up” initiative to combat decades of sexual misconduct. On January 11, a professor at Beijing’s Beihang University faced allegations of sexual harassment. On September 25, Hollywood comedian Bill Cosby was sentenced to three to ten years in prison for a sexual assault committed in 2004. CNN exposed allegations of sexual misconduct against Hollywood star Morgan Freeman. In India, sexual violence allegations against Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar surfaced under the #MeToo movement, leading to his resignation. The movement also resonated in Indian media houses, with some issuing apologies and others resigning. In Nepal, the movement had limited impact, though former Kathmandu mayor and provincial minister Keshav Sthapit faced sexual harassment allegations.
British Royal Family
The British royal family remained in the spotlight throughout 2018. On February 20, Queen Elizabeth II made a surprise appearance at London Fashion Week, which went viral. On April 20, Commonwealth nations decided that Prince Charles would succeed Queen Elizabeth as head of the Commonwealth. The royal family also gained attention due to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19. Queen Elizabeth conferred the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the couple on the same day.
Trade War
The trade war between the U.S. and China began in 2018 but later subsided. On March 1, President Trump announced a 25% tariff on imported steel and a 10% tariff on aluminum. On March 8, he increased these tariffs, and on March 22, imposed tariffs on $60 billion worth of Chinese goods, sparking the trade war. On September 17, the U.S. raised tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, and on September 18, China retaliated with tariffs on $60 billion worth of U.S. goods. Analysts suggested the U.S. might lose the trade war. On December 2, at the G20 summit in Argentina, the U.S. and China agreed to de-escalate the trade war.
Attack on Former Russian Spy and a Polarized World
On March 4, former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his 22-year-old daughter Yulia were attacked with a nerve agent in the UK. On March 14, the UK expelled 23 Russian diplomats in protest. The U.S., EU, and Ukraine followed, expelling over 100 Russian diplomats. This incident heightened global tensions.
North and South Korea Reconciliation
The reconciliation between North and South Korea, which began in January, continued throughout the year. On March 5, Kim Jong-un met with South Korean officials in Pyongyang, hosting a celebratory dinner. In April, a historic Korea summit saw Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in declare an end to the Korean War and commit to a nuclear-weapon-free Korean Peninsula.
Xi Jinping’s Growing Power
The Chinese Communist Party’s historic congress endorsed President Xi Jinping’s ideology and removed term limits for the presidency, allowing him to potentially remain president for life.
Stephen Hawking’s Death
On March 14, renowned scientist, researcher, and thinker Stephen Hawking, known for his work on black holes, passed away, marking a significant loss for astronomy.
Facebook Controversy
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg faced parliamentary hearings in the U.S., UK, and EU over the Cambridge Analytica scandal. In March, he admitted that personal data from millions of users was stolen. In September, reports surfaced that about 50 million Facebook accounts were hacked, fueling ongoing debates about the platform’s security.
Extended Terms for Putin, Merkel, and Hasina
Russian President Vladimir Putin was re-elected for a fourth term on March 18 with 76% of the vote, taking office on May 7. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was elected for a fourth term after 171 days of coalition negotiations. On October 29, she announced she would step down from party leadership and politics by 2021. In Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s party won a third consecutive term in the general election, securing her position.
Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un Meeting
Kim Jong-un made his first foreign trip as North Korea’s leader to China on March 25, meeting President Xi Jinping on March 28. The visit was only announced after his return.
U.S. Withdrawal from Iran Nuclear Deal
On May 8, President Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, signed by the UK, France, U.S., Russia, and China, causing significant global unrest.
Malaysia’s Election
In May, Malaysia’s general election saw Mahathir Mohamad’s party win a landslide victory. On May 10, the 92-year-old Mohamad was sworn in as the seventh prime minister, while former Prime Minister Najib Razak was arrested for corruption in July.
Kim-Trump Summit
On June 12, a historic summit between Trump and Kim Jong-un took place in Singapore, where North Korea agreed to halt its nuclear program. The summit, including Kim’s bodyguards, drew significant attention.
FIFA World Cup
The 21st FIFA World Cup, held in Russia from June 14 to July 15, was a success despite Western skepticism. France won the tournament, with Croatia as the runner-up. The event introduced video assistant referees and was watched by nearly half the world’s population.
Thailand Cave Rescue
From June 23, 12 Thai students and their coach were trapped in a cave in Chiang Rai. On July 2, rescue teams located them, and by July 10, all were safely rescued. The operation involved 10,000 people, 100 rescuers, 900 police, 2,000 soldiers, 10 helicopters, 7 ambulances, and 700 gas cylinders. One rescuer lost his life.
Pakistan Election: Imran Khan’s Rise
On July 13, a terrorist attack targeting an election campaign in Balochistan killed 128 people, with the Islamic State claiming responsibility. On July 25, former cricketer Imran Khan won a landslide victory, becoming Pakistan’s 22nd prime minister on August 28. On December 24, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was sentenced to seven years in prison for corruption.
Russia’s Military Exercise
In September, Russia conducted its largest military exercise since the Cold War, involving 300,000 troops and Chinese military participation.
Jamal Khashoggi’s Assassination
The October 2 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul sparked global outrage. On November 16, the CIA concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing. President Trump called the report premature and took no action against Saudi Arabia. Turkey alleged high-level Saudi involvement, but the case remains unresolved.
Sri Lanka’s Political Crisis
In October, Sri Lanka faced a political crisis when President Maithripala Sirisena sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and suspended parliament for two weeks. He appointed opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister, but the Supreme Court deemed the appointment unconstitutional, leading to Rajapaksa’s resignation and Wickremesinghe’s reinstatement.
Space Force Announcement
In December, President Trump announced the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria and Afghanistan. On June 18, he proposed creating a Space Force as the sixth branch of the U.S. military to ensure space security. He also made a surprise visit to Iraq late in the year.
Other Notable Events
- January 23: Chinese scientists claimed to have cloned two monkeys using the same technique as Dolly the sheep.
- SpaceX launched the Falcon Heavy, the world’s most powerful rocket.
- February: A Bangladeshi court sentenced former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to five years for corruption.
- March 12: A US-Bangla Airlines plane crash in Kathmandu killed 51 people.
- March 19: The last male northern white rhino died.
- April: Saudi Arabia screened a commercial film in cinemas for the first time in 35 years.
- April: Cuba’s new president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, was elected, succeeding Raúl Castro.
- April: Two suicide attacks in Kabul, Afghanistan, killed 36 people, including 9 journalists.
- May 28: Coca-Cola launched its first alcoholic drink, Lemon-Do, in Japan.
- June: The world’s most powerful supercomputer was showcased at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, capable of 200,000 trillion calculations per second.
- Canada legalized recreational cannabis.
- July: The longest blood moon eclipse of the 21st century occurred.
- August: Apple became the first U.S. company valued at $1 trillion.
- A 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Indonesia killed 460 people and displaced 340,000.
- Monsoon rains in Kerala, India, killed 350 people.
- August: India’s Chandrayaan mission discovered water ice on the moon.
- August 18: Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan passed away.
- September: A fire destroyed Brazil’s National Museum of Natural History, ruining 20 million specimens.
- October: The U.S., Canada, and Mexico signed a new trade agreement.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping inaugurated the world’s longest sea-crossing bridge connecting Hong Kong and Macau.
- India unveiled the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity, in Gujarat.
- November: NASA’s solar probe became the second human-made object to enter the solar system.
- November: Protests in France erupted over fuel price hikes.
- November: NASA’s InSight lander reached Mars after a seven-month journey.
- November: Chinese scientists claimed to have created gene-edited babies.
- A Brazilian woman with a uterus transplant gave birth, a world first.
- A volcanic eruption in Indonesia triggered a tsunami, killing over 200 people.
