Good morning, dear readers! The time has come for our highlights of the year! The bustling 2019 came to an end and, with it, the second decade of the 2000s. We witnessed a year full of political antagonism, climate crises and new personalities that have been in the spotlight in worldwide media coverage. What can you remember from this year? Can you talk about them in English? In this post, we will look back on key moments and figures from the year 2019. So let’s get to it before the new year rolls in!

Greta Thunberg

At just 16 years old, the young Greta Thurnberg has increasingly stood out as one of the most prominent activists to fight climate change in recent years. After cruising the Atlantic Ocean in a small boat, she delivered a powerful speech at the UN meeting in New York City, accusing world leaders of wiping out her youth and the future of humanity. Featured in Time magazine as person on the year, the young Swedish activist has been upsetting the authorities ang global leaders. However, Greta’s strength and influence has grown larger, reaching several famous supporters such as Billie Eilish, Chris Hemsworth, Kerry Washington Janelle Monáe, Mark Ruffalo and Leonardo DiCaprio.

 

 

 

 

 

2019 Latin American protests

The climate of political instability has spread through South America this 2019, triggering various outbreaks of violent demonstrations against governments in countries such as Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia. Although the reasons for the mobilizations differ in each country, the common feeling that drives the riots lies not only in blatant social inequalities but also in the lack of trust in political parties. In Chile, for example, protests broke out as a reaction against rising subway fares, but the debate expanded to unequal wealth distribution and the demands for drafting a new constitution. On the other hand, Bolivia suffered from the divergence between two groups, one that supports and another that opposes former president Evo Morales.

Notre-Dame ablaze

One of Paris’s main sights and architectural gems underwent a critical moment in 2019 when fire broke out in April. The Notre-Dame fire completely burned out its central tower and damaged much of its structure. The fire was controlled by about 400 firefighters and its cause was accidental. The disaster in the Parisian postcard, which was built between 1163 and 1345, caused a stir in French society that quickly raised about 600 million euros to help rebuild the cathedral.

First image ever of a Black Hole

Black holes permeate the imagination of space lovers and up until recently there were only speculations and theories to substantiate their visual appearance. But that changed in 2019, when some scientists managed a breakthrough: a photograph of a black hole located 55 million light years from Earth. Although it may seem precarious and blurred to some, the image is a hugely important discovery for scientists to study and better understand one of the most mysterious objects in space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you remember any other key moments of 2019? Do not forget to leave us a comment below. We wish you a happy new year!