Top 10 Biggest Events of the 2010s

Arab Spring, 2010

A wave of anti-government protests and uprisings began in Tunisia in late 2010 and quickly spread to other Arab nations. The movement led to the overthrow of several long-standing rulers, including those in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. It also triggered prolonged conflicts, reforms, and political instability across much of the Middle East and North Africa.

A very major event when many people in the Middle East and Northern Africa fought for independence from harsh dictators.

U.S. Presidential Election, 2016

The 2016 United States presidential election was held on November 8, 2016. Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, won against Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, despite losing the popular vote. The election drew global attention due to controversies involving foreign interference and the role of social media.

A terrible time in American history, now it looks like America hates itself, other nations, and everything else.

You probably know what happened.

The best election and probably the most interesting event in American politics in the 2010s.

Death of Osama bin Laden, 2011

On May 2, 2011, U.S. Navy SEALs carried out a raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The operation resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda. His death marked a major moment in global counterterrorism efforts.

In May of 2011, American troops found Osama bin Laden in Pakistan and killed him.

Syrian Civil War, 2011

The Syrian Civil War began in 2011 following protests against the government of Bashar al-Assad. The conflict has involved government forces, rebel groups, extremist organizations, and multiple international actors. It has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions of civilians.

This deserves its own entry (separate from the Arab Spring) because of how destructive it is and how many were killed, especially by the Assad government.

Japan Earthquake, 2011

On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Japan. The quake triggered a massive tsunami that caused widespread destruction and significant loss of life. It remains one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded.

In March of 2011, a magnitude 9 earthquake occurred in Japan, followed by a subsequent tsunami, killing about 16,000 people.

Haiti Earthquake, 2010

On January 12, 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The disaster caused widespread destruction to infrastructure, housing, and essential services. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed or displaced.

Brexit, 2016

Brexit refers to the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union following a 2016 referendum. The vote resulted in 51.9 percent of voters supporting withdrawal. The United Kingdom officially left the European Union on January 31, 2020.

Ebola Virus Outbreak, 2014

The 2014 Ebola virus outbreak began in West Africa, with Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone most affected. It became the largest Ebola outbreak in history, resulting in thousands of deaths. A coordinated international response helped contain the spread and improve disease monitoring.

In many countries of Western Africa, many people contracted Ebola, and at one time, it even reached the US.

Atlantic Hurricane Season, 2017

Okay, I didn't feel like putting Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria separately. Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas, Irma made landfall in Florida, and Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico.

Fukushima Nuclear Power Disaster, 2011

The Fukushima nuclear disaster occurred on March 11, 2011, after the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami damaged the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The accident caused multiple reactor meltdowns and released radioactive material into the environment. It was classified as a Level 7 event on the International Nuclear Event Scale, the highest possible rating.

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Hurricane Florence, 2018

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Minecraft Launched, 2011

Zika Virus Outbreak, 2016

There was an outbreak of the Zika Virus in Latin America in 2016.

The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) Signed into Law, 2010

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting, 2018

Probably the biggest event of 2018. On Valentine's Day, a former student killed 17 students, making it slightly worse than the Columbine Shooting in 1999.

PewDiePie vs. T-Series, 2018

Also known as PewDiePie vs. T-Series, this was an online subscriber 'war' to decide who held the title of 'most subscribed to channel' on YouTube. Some would say it signified the platform shifting to support companies in favor of solo creators.
The event, which ran from October 2018 to April 2019, saw several communities and groups of people working together in support of one channel. This highlighted the effect one can have using the internet as a platform.

Avengers: Endgame Becomes the Highest-Grossing Movie, 2019

Avatar was once the highest-grossing movie for 10 years at $2.7892 billion until Avengers: Endgame topped it at $2.8 billion.

Edward Snowden Leaks NSA Documents, 2013

Death of Neil Armstrong, 2012

He was the first man on the Moon, and he died in August 2012 at 82 due to complications from open heart surgery. We will never forget him. Rest in peace.

European Sovereign Debt Crisis, 2010

Las Vegas Strip Shooting, 2017

Women's March, 2017

Violent rioters all over the street threw a temper tantrum that their presidential candidate hadn't gotten elected. Unlike most marches, this was a march of pure hate.

Death of Stephen Hillenburg, 2018

This was the saddest death I have ever seen. Hopefully, he lives with SpongeBob and Patrick annoying Squidward.

Death of Stefán Karl Stefánsson, 2018

Alaska Earthquake, 2018

On November 30, 2018, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 occurred near Anchorage, Alaska.