As December’s festivities wind down and winter begins, 2023 will also be near its end. 2023 was quite the year. It was the first full year the Earth hosted a population of over 8 billion, “Barbenheimer” revived pop culture, and the fusion age began. Still, we also saw global climates reach new peaks, and armed conflicts arise worldwide. The following calendar year, 2024, will bring many changes to the world and hold many important events in store. Let’s see what’s waiting for us in 2024.
2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon based on the Chinese zodiac. According to the Chinese Horoscope, the Dragon symbolizes authority, prosperity, and good luck. Those born as a Dragon are known for their “captivating presence, unique personalities, and strong leadership skills.” When combined with the nurturing Wood element, the year is “seen as an ideal period for fresh starts and laying down the groundwork for lasting success” (hindustantimes.com).
Also, the U.S. general elections will be held on November 5, 2024. Offices up for election and retention in 2024 include the president, vice president, all 435 seats of the House of Representatives, and a portion of the Senate. Joe Biden is eligible for a second term, and Donald Trump also declared to campaign again, meaning the 2024 presidential campaign may mirror the showdown in 2020. It is also believed that this election is “expected to be the costliest election in American history, with more than $10 billion expected to be spent on political ads” (nytimes.com).
From July 26 to August 11, Paris will host the quadrennial 2024 Summer Olympic Games. The games will commemorate the union of the world’s five continents through competitive sports. The 2024 Summer Olympics will also feature a total of 32 sports that will be viewed by millions across the globe (olympics.com).
The 2024 year is also a leap year. This means that a day will be added to February (Thursday, February 29); thus, the year will be 366 days long. Leap years occur every four years, and adding an extra day is to keep the calendar aligned correctly with the astronomical seasons (almanac.com).
Additionally, North America will experience a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. The duration will be about 4 minutes and 30 seconds, almost double the last eclipse in 2017 (greatamericaneclipse.com). A large portion of the United States will get to experience totality since “the path of the eclipse…[enters] the United States in Texas, and [travels] through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine” (science.nasa.gov).
As 2024 approaches, it marks an opportunity for individuals to reflect upon their lives. Many also look at the year, hoping to achieve their goals and become a better person. For example, Megan Huynh (9) says, “The thing I am most excited for in 2024 is getting closer with new friends and socializing more. That’s always been on my to-do list, and I think the new year is a great time to start working towards it.” Another one of her resolutions is to buy new music albums.
The end of 2023 is here, and while some may sigh in relief, others might find it hard to let go of everything that has happened in the past year. Either way, we’re moving into 2024 soon, and there’s no doubt the year has much in store for us. Let’s make 2024 a great year!
