22 events that defined 2022 in Australia and around the world
- Replies 7
From Queen Elizabeth’s passing to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the world saw it all. Here are 22 events that define the year we are leaving behind.
January 3, 2022: Apple becomes the first company to reach a stock market value of $3 trillion
On the first trading day of 2022, Apple became the first US company to reach a market value of $3 trillion.
Source: NY Times
January 30, 2022: Ashleigh Barty wins the Australian Open women's singles title
The world No.1 defeated Danielle Collins 6-3, 7-6 (2) in the final at Rod Laver Arena. Barty was the first Australian to win the title since 1978.
Source: Tennis.com.au
February 6, 2022: Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II's accession as Queen of Australia.
On 6 February 2022, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II became the first Monarch of Australia to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms, and the Commonwealth.
Source: SDC
23 February 2022 – 7 April 2022: 2022 Eastern Australia Floods
One of the nation's worst recorded flood disasters occurred from February to April. It kicked off what became an unusually severe year of flooding throughout all of Australia
Source: The Guardian
February 24, 2022: Russia invades Ukraine
On February 24, Russia launched an unprecedented invasion of its neighbour Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a chilling warning to the West, saying any country which tried to ‘interfere’ would face immediate consequences.
Source: CNBC
March 4, 2022: Shane Warne and Rod Marsh, Australian cricketers, pass away
Cricket fans found themselves mourning two heroes on March 4th, Shane Warne and Rod Marsh.
Just two months later, the cricket world was dealt another blow when Andrew Symonds died aged 46 in a single-car accident outside Townsville.
In a cruel twist, Andrew Symonds' last post on social media was about his former teammate Shane Warne (who passed away two months before Symonds). Shane Warne's last post on social media was a tribute to Rod Marsh, who passed away hours before Warne.
Source: News.com.au
March 27, 2022: Slapgate: Will Smith slaps Chris Rock at the Oscars
During the 94th Academy Awards, actor Will Smith walked onstage and slapped comedian Chris Rock across the face during Rock's presentation for Best Documentary Feature.
Source: The Guardian
May 23, 2022, Anthony Albanese, Labor, becomes Australia's 31st prime minister, concluding nine years of LNP leadership
Albanese was elected leader of the Labor Party on 20 May 2019. He is the first Italian Australian prime minister.
Source: NAA
June 1, 2022: Amber Heard vs. Johnny Depp jury reached a verdict
The jury determined that Heard acted with actual malice. They awarded Depp $15 million in damages, finding that ex-wife Heard defamed him with allegations that he had committed domestic violence.
Source: 7 News
June 2022: Inflation surges around the world
‘The biggest economic story of the year is inflation – and the impact of the illegal invasion of Ukraine that took it from a transitory problem to one that has kept on going.’
Source: The Guardian
June 24, 2022: US Supreme Court overturns abortion rights
The US supreme court ruled there is no constitutional right to abortion in the United States, upending the landmark Roe v Wade case from nearly 50 years ago in a rare reversal of long-settled law that fractured reproductive rights in America.
Source: The Guardian
August 8, 2022: Olivia Newton-John passes away
In the early morning hours of August 8, legendary actress, Olivia Newton-John, ‘passed away peacefully at her ranch in Southern California’.
Source: SDC
September 8, 2022: Queen Elizabeth II passes away
On September 8th, the Queen died peacefully, with her family by her bedside at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The world went into mourning.
Source: SDC
September 8, 2022: Charles becomes King
Upon the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth at age 96, Charles immediately ascended to the throne, per the British line of succession. On 11 September, Charles III was officially proclaimed as King of Australia by Governor-General David Hurley at Parliament House.
Source: Time
September/October, 2022: UK has three prime ministers in just two months
Rishi Sunak is the UK's third prime minister in less than two months - the fifth in six years. It is the fastest turnover of leaders in No 10 for nearly a century.
Source: BBC
September 13, 2022: Iranians Protest
Protests began when ‘morality police’ arrested Mahsa Amini, a twenty-two-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman visiting Iran’s capital city, for failing to cover her hair properly. She died in police custody.
Source: BBC
October 25, 2022: The first person of colour heads the British government.
Rishi Sunak became the UK’s first prime minister of colour, as well as the first Hindu prime minister.
Source: The Guardian
November 15, 2022: World population exceeds 8 billion
The world population reached eight billion, just 11 years after it passed seven billion.
Source: UN
November 20, 2022: COP27 and the landmark compensation fund
COP27 reaches a breakthrough agreement on new ‘Loss and Damage’ fund for vulnerable countries. This historic deal will see larger (higher emission) nations help poorer countries pay for climate catastrophes.
Source: UNFCCC
December 8, 2022: US Congress passes landmark bill protecting same-sex marriage
The Respect for Marriage Act is a historic piece of legislation that represents a huge shift. Federal and state governments in the United States are now legally required to recognise same-sex and interracial marriages. The validity of marriage cannot be denied on the basis of sex, race or ethnicity.
Source: The Guardian
December 8, 2022: Harry & Meghan The Documentary released by Netflix
The series, which Netflix billed as an ‘unprecedented and in-depth’ documentary reportedly furthered the rift between Harry and his brother, William.
Source: CNBC
December 22, 2022: Socceroos record highest FIFA World Ranking in 10 years after world cup success
Australia finished in 11th place in the FIFA classifications in Qatar – its highest-ever position at the World Cup.
Source: socceroos.com.au
So there you have it, members. Did we miss anything? Comment below if there’s something you would have added to the list! Now, let’s all have a well-deserved rest before 2023 kicks off!
We take a look at the 22 events that defined 2022. Image Credit: Shutterstock
January 3, 2022: Apple becomes the first company to reach a stock market value of $3 trillion
On the first trading day of 2022, Apple became the first US company to reach a market value of $3 trillion.
Source: NY Times
January 30, 2022: Ashleigh Barty wins the Australian Open women's singles title
The world No.1 defeated Danielle Collins 6-3, 7-6 (2) in the final at Rod Laver Arena. Barty was the first Australian to win the title since 1978.
Source: Tennis.com.au
February 6, 2022: Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II's accession as Queen of Australia.
On 6 February 2022, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II became the first Monarch of Australia to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms, and the Commonwealth.
Source: SDC
23 February 2022 – 7 April 2022: 2022 Eastern Australia Floods
One of the nation's worst recorded flood disasters occurred from February to April. It kicked off what became an unusually severe year of flooding throughout all of Australia
Source: The Guardian
February 24, 2022: Russia invades Ukraine
On February 24, Russia launched an unprecedented invasion of its neighbour Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a chilling warning to the West, saying any country which tried to ‘interfere’ would face immediate consequences.
Source: CNBC
March 4, 2022: Shane Warne and Rod Marsh, Australian cricketers, pass away
Cricket fans found themselves mourning two heroes on March 4th, Shane Warne and Rod Marsh.
Just two months later, the cricket world was dealt another blow when Andrew Symonds died aged 46 in a single-car accident outside Townsville.
In a cruel twist, Andrew Symonds' last post on social media was about his former teammate Shane Warne (who passed away two months before Symonds). Shane Warne's last post on social media was a tribute to Rod Marsh, who passed away hours before Warne.
Source: News.com.au
March 27, 2022: Slapgate: Will Smith slaps Chris Rock at the Oscars
During the 94th Academy Awards, actor Will Smith walked onstage and slapped comedian Chris Rock across the face during Rock's presentation for Best Documentary Feature.
Source: The Guardian
May 23, 2022, Anthony Albanese, Labor, becomes Australia's 31st prime minister, concluding nine years of LNP leadership
Albanese was elected leader of the Labor Party on 20 May 2019. He is the first Italian Australian prime minister.
Source: NAA
June 1, 2022: Amber Heard vs. Johnny Depp jury reached a verdict
The jury determined that Heard acted with actual malice. They awarded Depp $15 million in damages, finding that ex-wife Heard defamed him with allegations that he had committed domestic violence.
Source: 7 News
June 2022: Inflation surges around the world
‘The biggest economic story of the year is inflation – and the impact of the illegal invasion of Ukraine that took it from a transitory problem to one that has kept on going.’
Source: The Guardian
June 24, 2022: US Supreme Court overturns abortion rights
The US supreme court ruled there is no constitutional right to abortion in the United States, upending the landmark Roe v Wade case from nearly 50 years ago in a rare reversal of long-settled law that fractured reproductive rights in America.
Source: The Guardian
August 8, 2022: Olivia Newton-John passes away
In the early morning hours of August 8, legendary actress, Olivia Newton-John, ‘passed away peacefully at her ranch in Southern California’.
Source: SDC
September 8, 2022: Queen Elizabeth II passes away
On September 8th, the Queen died peacefully, with her family by her bedside at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The world went into mourning.
The news that stopped the world. Image Credit: Shutterstock
Source: SDC
September 8, 2022: Charles becomes King
Upon the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth at age 96, Charles immediately ascended to the throne, per the British line of succession. On 11 September, Charles III was officially proclaimed as King of Australia by Governor-General David Hurley at Parliament House.
Source: Time
September/October, 2022: UK has three prime ministers in just two months
Rishi Sunak is the UK's third prime minister in less than two months - the fifth in six years. It is the fastest turnover of leaders in No 10 for nearly a century.
Source: BBC
September 13, 2022: Iranians Protest
Protests began when ‘morality police’ arrested Mahsa Amini, a twenty-two-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman visiting Iran’s capital city, for failing to cover her hair properly. She died in police custody.
Source: BBC
October 25, 2022: The first person of colour heads the British government.
Rishi Sunak became the UK’s first prime minister of colour, as well as the first Hindu prime minister.
Source: The Guardian
November 15, 2022: World population exceeds 8 billion
The world population reached eight billion, just 11 years after it passed seven billion.
Source: UN
November 20, 2022: COP27 and the landmark compensation fund
COP27 reaches a breakthrough agreement on new ‘Loss and Damage’ fund for vulnerable countries. This historic deal will see larger (higher emission) nations help poorer countries pay for climate catastrophes.
Source: UNFCCC
December 8, 2022: US Congress passes landmark bill protecting same-sex marriage
The Respect for Marriage Act is a historic piece of legislation that represents a huge shift. Federal and state governments in the United States are now legally required to recognise same-sex and interracial marriages. The validity of marriage cannot be denied on the basis of sex, race or ethnicity.
Source: The Guardian
December 8, 2022: Harry & Meghan The Documentary released by Netflix
The series, which Netflix billed as an ‘unprecedented and in-depth’ documentary reportedly furthered the rift between Harry and his brother, William.
Source: CNBC
December 22, 2022: Socceroos record highest FIFA World Ranking in 10 years after world cup success
Australia finished in 11th place in the FIFA classifications in Qatar – its highest-ever position at the World Cup.
Source: socceroos.com.au
So there you have it, members. Did we miss anything? Comment below if there’s something you would have added to the list! Now, let’s all have a well-deserved rest before 2023 kicks off!
.png){kind=icon}
