2024’s Historic Turning Points That Might End Up in History Books

Ah, 2024—what a year. It seems as though the universe has bestowed upon us an abundance of significant events, and we’re amassing them more quickly than a politician evading a scandal. Let’s delve into the chaos and brilliance of a year that future historians will likely spend a significant amount of time discussing over tea and expressing existential dread.

1. The Ongoing War Between Palestine and Israel

2024 kicked off with Palestine and Israel once again at each other’s throats—because apparently, peace treaties are just suggestions now. This latest round of conflict feels like someone took all the unresolved tension from the past few decades, put it in a pressure cooker, and forgot to set the timer. The conflict has affected thousands of lives and created a geopolitical nightmare that dwarfs Brexit. Despite countless global attempts at peace talks, the war rages on, drawing in superpowers like the U.S. and Iran. It’s a mess, and it’s one we’ll be untangling for decades.

2. Ukraine War and Its Turning Point

Ah, the Ukraine-Russia war—still ongoing, but 2024 brought a major plot twist. After two years of grueling combat, Ukraine, with a little help from its Western friends (think military aid, intelligence, the works), finally got the upper hand. Their counteroffensive was a hit, reclaiming several occupied territories and sending Russia into an existential crisis about its military strategy.

But the story doesn’t end there. The war is still shaking up global alliances, with NATO doubling down on support for Ukraine and Europe frantically trying to break up with Russian oil and gas. This isn’t just a local scuffle anymore—it’s redefining geopolitics, energy security, and how the world deals with aggressive powers. As 2024 rolls on, everyone’s holding their breath to see if this war will end with peace talks or if the fighting has more chapters left.

3. Supreme Court Rules on Presidential Immunity

Let’s talk about presidential immunity. No, I’m referring to the type of immunity that could potentially protect you from legal consequences, such as inciting a riot or hoarding classified documents as if they were mementos. The U.S. Supreme Court made a ruling in 2024 regarding the legal accountability of former presidents for their actions during their tenure. Spoiler alert: They can, but only with a plethora of loopholes. Of course, Trump is the main focus of this case, as no one else could make immunity sound so suspicious. Future presidents will debate the ruling’s ripple effects for years, considering how far they can push the “Get Out of Jail Free” card.

4. Global Climate Crisis Intensifies

Congratulations, Earth, you’ve officially won the award for the hottest year ever recorded! Yes, 2024 broke all sorts of unwanted records, with the planet warming up like a teenager who’s just discovered TikTok dance challenges. Wildfires? Check. Does walking outside feel like you’re in a microwave? Triple check. Climate change is no longer a “we should really get around to fixing that” issue; it’s now “we’re out of time; do something now.” From global protests to governmental pledges, 2024 might just be the year humanity finally decides to take climate change seriously. Alternatively, we could continue to ignore it. TBD.