Top 10 Saddest Years in History

Not much can be said about 1939. Should be first, as I think the beginning of a conflict that cost over 50 million lives is more significant than a bunch of stuff being destroyed in the US. The Holocaust, the Battle of Stalingrad, the atomic bomb explosion... this year started the conflict where all these took place. With nearly the whole world taking part in war, every last penny spent to kill. Good thing people realised the conflict needed to end. Sad that it took over six years for them to come to this conclusion. By that time, the damage done was incalculable. This is where it all started, when Hitler's invasion of Poland caused the Brisih and French to declare war. That's why, 1939 can be considered the worst year in human history, and 1 September 1939 can be said to be the worst day.

The beginning of the most deadliest conflict of humanity yet, after 123 years of occupation, the poles were free but then 21 years later they have to host the mass murders of their own people and then if it wasn't enough one of those who came to invade them then "liberated" them and installed a government that would led the poles to starvation until 1991...

I am sorry but 2001 before 1939? A terrorist attack (which is still a terrible thing) compared to the start of WWII? The holocaust, the first use of the nuclear bomb in warfare, countless deaths, conscription...

A violent and brutal war responsible for millions of deaths. A million times worse than a bunch of celebrity deaths, that's for sure.

This is why 9/11 happened:

In the 1980's, the USSR invaded Afghanistan. Knowing the USA, we didn't tolerate Communism and we saw every Non-Communist country as an "ally". We funded the Taliban and trained Bin Laden to keep the Soviets out. However, due to attacking other Muslim countries (Gulf War) and the USSR falling, Afghanistan saw US as the biggest threat. Because we GAVE Bin Laden the weapons and the wealth he needed, 9/11 ended up happening.

It was a tragedy, I can't deny that, but some people here say it was the worst attack in history just because it was recent and it was on American soil, which hadn't happened since WWII. It's kinda overrated in my opinion...

An awful tragedy occurred yes, but

1. This tragedy started the current crisis in the Middle East. When the Americans heavily weakened Al-Qaeda and the Taliban after 9/11. Members of al Qaeda banded together to form ISIL. Almost like a Hydra, terrorists restored their tactics of fear into the hearts of every breathing soul.

2. Do not listen to that moron Rubio, Islamaphobia is one of the biggest discrimination issues facing the US right now. 1,000 hate crimes against Muslims occurred in 2001,

3. WE trained the men who would train the psychopaths drove the planes into the WTC

I feel bad for the people who lost theirs love ones I know how it feels); I wasn't even born):. I'm so sorry that the people died. It was one of my sad days.

9/11: Terrorists hijacked a plane and crashed it into the World Trade Center causing 3,000 deaths.

That year was disaster. They had a Japan Tsunami and earthquake in March 11th, and many people died more than the terrorist attack in 9/11 because in 9/11 terrorist attack, they've got killed only about 2,000 people, but in Japan Tsunami, 15,891 people died. come on Americans, why are you guys only care about 9/11, Michael Jackson's death, MLK assassination, and other sad events only in the United States? Stop being so selfish and you should also care and support Japan too. Many Japanese people are having a tears and praying for their people who died in Tsunami disaster. Plus, I also had a sad things happened in that year, so this should be at least in top 5.

2011 was not the bad year in America, BUT the worst year on worldwide (except America) and also the worst year in the 21st century. Here's why:

1. Japan Tsunami, more deaths than 9/11 Terrorist Attack.

2. Syrian War began and still continuing right now. One million people were killed so far (in 2018).

3. Norway Attack; way deadlier than Las Vegas Shooting in 2017 which is the deadliest shooting in the U.S.
(Norway Attack: 77 killed
Las Vegas Shooting: 58 killed)

4. In that year, there was a lot of riots and incidents in the different countries besides America. Statistically, the riots in different countries were deadlier than the riots in America.

1:A widespread drought across Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti over the summer laid waste to food and water supplies across the region, sparking the worst famine in decades. Somalia, already a failed state at the best of times, was the hardest hit. An armed conflict with Al Shabaab, the local offshoot of Al Qaeda, only exacerbated the problem. The famine worsened in September as the United Nations reported that half the country was in need of emergency aid. It now estimates that as many as 30,000 children have died as a result.
2: A mass shooting occurred on October 12, 2011, at the Salon Meritage hair salon in Seal Beach, California. Eight people inside the salon and one person in the parking lot were shot, and only one victim survived. It was the deadliest mass killing in Orange County history.
3: On January 9, 2011, Iran Air Flight 277, a Boeing 727 on a scheduled domestic service from Tehran to Urmia, Iran, crashed after aborting its approach into Urmia Airport ...more

The Japan earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku was the saddest event that happened in 2011. Not only this killed tons of people but the overall damage costed trillions of yen. Besides Japan, a lot of other devastating things happened in 2011. Such as the Norway attacks that left people mostly injured, and nearly a hundred people were killed.

I was born this year, I thought it was amazing (mostly 'cause my mum told me it was). But then I noticed, Michael died that year, technology took over, and economy fell. It makes me feel so bad for no reason. I've always had a… bond with Michael Jackson, and it scares me, no one told me about him and I never saw his name, I just…. Well, knew him. I look like him, I have his hair, I have his personality and everything, and I was born a month after his death, July 27.

When I say I have a bond with him, I mean it, his voice comes in my head, and I always dream on him.

Michael Jackson's death was horrible. I don't really think there is a such things as which death is better or worse. Death is bad no matter how anyone dies or how many people died. Besides just because he put this before other deaths doesn't mean anything. It's not like there was a rule that says while list making you have to think which death is worse.

This was a horrid year. I even had my first funeral. And a pandemic came, followed by an economic crash. But at least it prepared me for 2020, although I didn't have any funerals that year (in fact, I haven't since 2009).

The year Michael Jackson died in. He was famous, and now he is dead. It was also the last year of most classical T.V. shows before most shows went downhill, especially animated shows.

I was 35 and to me 2016 will go down as the most remembered year of the 2010's. So much happened this year including Trump getting elected as president to the on going celebrity deaths such as Prince,Bowie,Ali and so many more. And who could forget the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series for the first time in over a century. And the Cleveland Cavs coming back for a 3-1 deficit to win the NBA championship. And also Peyton Manning retiring after winning his second Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos. And after years of being nominated Leonardo DiCaprio finally won an Oscar for his role in The Revenant. The Pulse nightclub shooting became the worst mass shooting in U.S. history at that time. Former San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick started a trend that is still happening in the NFL. There were also reports of creepy clowns trying to lure children into the woods.

Not the worst but mostly the same repetitiveness over and over again time in and time out. The year Donald Trump happened, ISIS, Zika, Constant World is ending theories, and by the end of this year, 2016 is no doubt going to go down as one of the biggest years for terrorism and mass shootings in world history. Seriously, over 350 mass shootings so far and it's not even October yet. Sadly, I think 2017 might be even bigger. 2016 is EXTREMELY FAR from being one of the worst years ever as I have good memories and most people are still alive but in the news, it just seems like a year for much sadness and repeating disappointness.

This should be in the top 3, not #8. The Zika Virus, the Orlando Night Club Mass Shooting, Baton Rouge Police Shooting, Donald Trump was elected president (in fact, the whole process to select a president was bad enough), the music really started to go downhill (actually, it went downhill in 1998), ISIS, and all the celebrity deaths (Prince, Christina Grimmie, David Bowie, Muhammad Ali, John Glenn, etc.). Hopefully 2017 will be better.

And why are people voting for other years just because the music, video games, or movies sucked? You guys care more about a video game or a song more then a life? Grow up!

This may be nothing compared to 1939 or 1941, but I think it was a very sad year. There were so many terrorist attacks (Night Club shooting in Orlando, truck plowing in Nice, France, bombing of Brussels, etc.), so many celebrity deaths (Prince, David Bowie, Muhammad Ali, Christina Grimmie, Gene Wilder, Patty Duke, Alan Rickman, Doris Roberts, etc.), so many innocent police officers killed in the line of duty, girls and young women being murdered and man slaughtered by men for no reason (it seems like there are more of that this year than years past), a toddler that got attacked to death by an alligator, and much more.

While some of this stuff may happen every year, I do not think it was to the extent of this year.

Oh heck, I can see why 1941 is #7. Things like Michael Jackson's death and 9/11 were a lot worse than the year of the extent of Hitler's power and the beginning of mechanised, organised genocide of the Jews. I mean, the Holocaust was pretty bad, but nothing in comparison to the death of the King of Pop.

Hitler has tortured so many people, so many innocent people died and were in severe pain for being Jewish. How does this rank under Michael Jackson's death? No offense but that is one guy.

Worst, Entire, Year of the Second World War (WW2, WWII, World war 2), Attacks on Pearl Harbor (7 December 1941) Holocaust has so many deaths concluded. Operation Barbarossa, German Invasion of the Communist USSR (Soviet Union, 1922 - 1991), and the fighting in Russia evolved from 1941 - 1945.

Again, this is worse than celebrity deaths. You idiot Millennials need to realize how privileged your lives are, and that the only recent years even remotely worthy of hate are 2009 and 2020, and not even for the celebrity deaths (that doesn't count in the grand scheme of things). I mean real issues, like the economy collapsing, or a massive pandemic that kills half the world. Or in 1941's case, a violent and brutal war responsible for millions of deaths.

Let's see what happened so far: It has Corona and all that came with it (We in Germany have actually our second lockdown...), the Hurricane season for you over there in America (especially poor Louisiana), the historic wildfires in Australia and California (yes, wildfires happen every year in that areas, but they were never that catastrophic), another celebrity mass extinction (starting with Kobe Bryant), that freak show that is actually the US elections, the actual wave of terrorist attacks here in mid-Europe...
Oh, and for me and my family personally, it is like the worst year ever. Unlucky and bad things happening to our family members like every other day, literally no time to take a breath in between, and that goes on since February.
But all that still doesn't make 2020 worse than the WWI/WWII years In my opinion.

It's sad to see a year at first look promising but it's now going down the drain. You've seen the comments mentioned here, I'm the only individual that keeps America going from sinking.
It's Joeysworld

Hopefully 2021 will be as great as 2000. Trust me, 2020 is awful. Coronavirus, BLM/George Floyd, Kobe Bryant, Cardi B, Biden/Harris, Trump/Pence, and lots of other things have happened.

Reminded me of 2009. Didn't ask for it to be this way. Wanted it to be at least okay, like 2016.

1994, the year more than 800,000 people were killed needlessly in Rwanda. France, UN and Belgium gave little or no help! You're voting this just because Justin Bieber was born! COME ON!

I don't give two damns about Justin Bieber being born this year, he's a dead horse beaten to bits. But the Rwandan genocide happening the same year...dear lord...

1994 had a massacre, and Cobain died.. That little abomination Bieber was born too.

The year Justin Bieber was born, and also the Rwandan Genocide.

I hope the 2020s bring back all of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s nostalgic things, but I am not sure this would happen or not, because I probably think everything started to suck around mid-2013, the last good year for me was 2012, early-2013 was okay but everything went downhill in mid-2013 because I had braces then and my school teachers turned to crap.

Syrian civil war gotten worse. Use of chemical weapons banned in the Geneva conventions, ISIS has gained power and is making the Middle East worse than it already is, Robin Williams died.

2014 was very bad, though 2017 sucked more! Strangely enough, 2017 reminds me a lot of 2014 because they were both terrible. A lot of man made and natural disasters happened in 2014 as well, and I had been in the hospital a lot in 2014 as well.

2014 was hell for sure :'(

Terrorism came into full flex and now Europe has a mass wave of terrorist attacks. Who to blame? Tony Blair and George W. Bush.

The year I was born. A lot of bad things happened to me so 8f I wasn't born then mean things wouldn't happen to me.

Virginia Tech shooting occurred.

Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany and the Great Depression was still going.

Good choice guy who ruled Germany before Hitler, Make Hitler Leader and destory your country.

This is the year an awful genocide began.

Hitler gains power in Germany.

Hurricane Katrina took place. It killed more than 1500 people and caused so much damage in New Orleans.

The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season happened and much more. Enough said.

My brother's birth on that year got me truly depressed.

The London thing happened.

Start of the biggest economic collapse in all of modern history. That's pretty sad. Sucks to be alive in the 30's.

The years in which the great depression took place. It was a very bad time for everyone back in the 1930s.

The Great Depression, one of the worst economic recessions in history, starts.

Wasn't born, but God, was the economy awful in 1929.

We've had a shooting in Parkland on Valentine's Day.
We lost Stephen Hawking, Avicii, XXXTentacion, Alan Bean, Aretha Franklin, John McCain and Mac Miller.
Yet we had Hurricane Florence and Michael as well as Typhoon Mangkhut and Yutu.
And we're having the worst wildfires in California, destroying the homes of many famous celebrities and killing people.
And the creator of Marvel, Stan Lee, is dead.
Yet Roy Clark, from the GRAMMYs, CMAs and co-host of the television series Hee Haw died of complications from pneumonia at 85.
This has been quite a horrible year so far and not better than the previous horrible years (except 2001 and you all know why).

So far we've had the shooting at Parkland which left 17 dead and as many injured, the deaths of Stephen Hawking and Avicii among many others yet again, and a terrorist attack in Toronto which left 10 dead. This is turning out to be barely better than 2016 and 2017 for news.

I wish 2016 came before 2018, because 2017 was the year of man-made and natural disasters. Also, don't come to me saying "Disasters happen every year" because I already know that.

This year sucks ALREADY! Wow! That's not surprising at all! We just have 2 years left until the 2010s is over! I hope the 2020s have a 1980s/1990s comeback.

Vegas shooting (yet another worst shooting in modern US history), Sutherland Springs shooting, Trump becoming president, more terrorist attacks, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma (which actually hit relatively close to where I live) and Maria, etc.

This year was so bad and the following year, 2018, which I can't find on this list. I had so many problems and there were so much drama and hurricane Maria hitting Puerto rico and so many shootings.

I want to say that 2017 changed my mind in humanity. For the terrorist attacks to many Europeans dying. changes to the world can happen to us if we all join to be brothers and sisters. Together nothing is impossible! I want to cover that.

This needs to be #1.

Where do I begin?

I switched buses, my dog died, Hurricane Harvey, shootings in Nevada and Texas (God? Why would they do such a thing), my sister sprain her knee, my cat had surgery, my mom got lyme decease and so much more.

Why did the US have to end the war in Japan in a horrible way by killing innocent civilians with a nuclear bomb on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Why?

Never forget Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

It was another horrible year. It was actually worse than 2020. COVID-19 became deadlier, the U.S. Capitol got mobbed, Daft Punk disbanded, massive floods, a deadly earthquake in Haiti, Sidharth Shukla suddenly passed away, Nick Kamen passed away, ABBA announced their album Voyage is their last, Marilia Mendonca was killed in a plane crash & Betty White passed away on New Year's Eve before her 100th birthday.

Where do I start? The attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters, COVID still lingering around, LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of shootings, many of them at the most innocent places such as grocery stores, malls, graduation parties, retirement homes… you name it. And this is all happening in the US, which is why I want to leave and move somewhere else cause I cannot stand it anymore! >:(

Heath Ledger died in January before The Dark Knight was released that year.

The great recession and Obama election both sucked.

My parents got married and it ended up as one of the worst marriages ever.

WE are letting them win,

We have given these sick minded people (ISIL, Boko Haram, the KKK, all xenophobes, homophobes, murderers, rapists, etc.) exactly what they want. Fear. The NATO countries fear another Paris or San Bernardino every month. Minorities feel fear that they will be gunned down for their religions or skin color every week. A woman walking in the dark fears of being kidnapped every day. A closeted young LGBTQ+ kid feels fear of being exposed every hour. A little kid is terrified of a bully at school every half hour. A person with an anxiety disorder fears an attack every minute. Every second of your life is filled with some kind of fear. Which is what a monster wants. They will manipulate our fears to being controlled by them. Like they are gods.

I'm afraid of them. I'm not going to lie. And you are too. We, as citizens of America, Britain, France, Spain, Canada, Russia, China, Iran, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Mexico, Iraq, Syria, and all the ...more

The year 2015 RUINED my whole entire life! Satoru Iwata from Nintendo passed out. So many things. I have a list, 'Top 10 Reasons to hate 2015' even there are more ruined stuff. 2015 is going to be the #1 on this list.

Constant depressing news from terrorist attack after terrorist attack. Not a great year for anyone.

Worst year in the whole history of this planet oh god please be Jan,1 Already!

The very year, which marked the beginning of the downfall of Europe's great empire. The effects of the Great War haunt the continent even to this day. This year should be on top.

The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand which marked the start of a World War.

It caused world war 1, which caused Versailles, which caused WWII, which caused Cold War.
Wow.

How is the start of a World War only at 26?

The tragic death of Cameron Boyce is the one that made me feel the saddest and the most heart broken so far in 2019. Even though I don't watch Jesse at all, but I've seen the first Descendants movie, Cameron Boyce is very talented, smart and BEAUTIFUL. I wish that he was still alive! Why did he have to go way too soon at a very young age?! Why?! Cameron had a whole milestone ahead of him! I miss him!

Because 2019 is the deadliest in human history, it is worse than 536 AD. Due to its thing, this year may seem the universe is extraordinarily simple again. The Earth orbiting dropping into the black hole. 2019 is the unluckiest number in the universe. Worse than unlucky 13.

This year is really saddening. Our society is falling apart little by little. It is slowly fading away. This needs to be in #1 absolutely on, this list. I don't know what to say... This year is slowly dying in our world... :'(

This year sucks already! Just 1 more year left till the 2010s is over! I hope the 2020s have a 1980s/1990s comeback.