The coronavirus pandemic has forced billions of people across the world to hunker down at home to keep themselves safe from infection. In the United States, hundreds of thousands of Americans found themselves unemployed and struggling to make ends meet.
The pandemic was not the only thing that dominated 2020. The year also began with countless wildfires raging in Australia and across California while Americans took to the streets to protest police brutality.
It has been an incredibly tough 2020, but as the new year approaches, it may be time for us to reflect on some wins and silver linings amid all the gloom this year.
If you’re looking for some feel-good stories to uplift your mood and give you inspiration for 2021, we've rounded up some of the biggest good news of 2020. Many of these brought us joy and hope and proved that amidst the darkness and the hardship, the world could unite as one and weather the storm.
From researchers finally delivering a safe and effective vaccine against the novel coronavirus to governments enacting sweeping changes to promote inclusion and diversity, here are the most inspiring stories of 2020.
On Nov. 27, the Sudanese government officially banned child marriage and female genital mutilation. It also implemented programs addressing social norms. Sudan had previously resisted efforts to ban the practice of marrying a child before the age of 18. A third of girls living in the North African country are married before they turn 18.YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty ImagesIn June, an international team led by scientists at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology unveiled the first 3D eye in the world. The artificial eye is made of an array of nanowire light sensors and equipped with a 3D retina that could give patients with visual impairment hope.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesThe famous crayon company, Crayola, launched the “Colors of the World” pack that included 24 new skin tone crayon colors and eight classic shades for eyes and hair. The 135-year-old arts and crafts giant hoped the new pack would advance inclusion and increase representation of the world’s diverse population. Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesParasite, a South Korean thriller-comedy film directed by critically acclaimed director Bong Joon-ho, made history during the 92nd Oscars after winning four Academy Awards. The South Korean film was also the first non-English language film ever to win the Best Picture award.
Kevin Mazur/Getty ImagesIn the midst of the pandemic in April, Americans who were forced to huddle in their homes began sending healthcare workers thousands of hand-sewn face masks to help protect them from the coronavirus pandemic. The masks offered frontline workers protection amid the shortage of protective gear. Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesOn March 20, Nintendo Switch players were introduced to a life simulation video game that would take the world by storm. "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" has opened up a channel where people around the world can connect despite the lockdown restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP via Getty ImagesThe COVID-19 health crisis has forced governments to impose lockdown restrictions, affecting many animal shelters across the nation. Thousands of Americans answered online appeals for help in fostering pets from the shelters or taking care of animals from owners who have fallen ill, leading to a 70% increase in pet adoptions.
MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty ImagesMicrosoft recently released their next-gen Xbox Series X that brings extraordinary power and flexibility. The newest console allows users to play thousands of games, including classic titles at amazing performance. The Xbox Series X’s engineering brings gaming to life with beautiful graphics and dynamic processing power.JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty ImagesSony released the latest upgrade to its Playstation console, the PlayStation 5. The PS5 brought ultra-high-speed SSD and custom integration, allowing gamers to experience gaming with stunning visuals. The PS5 also allows users to play select PS4 and PS VR games faster.CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty ImagesEarlier this year, famous actor John Krasinski launched a YouTube series titled “Some Good News” that urged people to share positive and uplifting stories to support others amid the coronavirus pandemic. After showing eight episodes, the show was sold to ViacomCBS on May 22.Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesIn 2016, Feld Entertainment retired the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performances, leaving about 30 Asian elephants in a 200-acre Center for Elephant Conservation with horrible living conditions. Next year, the animals will be moved to their new 2,500-acre home, the White Oak Conservation Center in Florida.
Hannes Magerstaedt/Getty ImagesIn June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that companies could not fire employees just because they were gay or transgender. Justice Neil Gorsuch was behind the decision that protects individuals from losing their jobs over their sexuality or transgender status.Joe Prior/VisionhausBetween September and October, several countries were involved in “Operation Thunder 2020” that resulted in the acquisition of a large number of products made from protected wildlife animals. The operation seized more than 2,000 products and led to the arrest of 699 offenders and officials expect more prosecutions as global investigations continue.
WAHYUDI/AFP via Getty ImagesIn June, the Chinese government removed pangolin scales from an official listing of ingredients approved for use in medicine as part of an effort to stop the trade of the world’s most trafficked wild mammal. In 2019, at least 400,000 pangolins were killed for their scales and meat.
MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty ImagesOn June 3, the New Zealand government announced a scheme that would offer free sanitary products to girls to end period poverty. The program aims to prevent female students from skipping school during their period. The mandate began in July and will expand to all state schools in 2021. LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty ImagesThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Pfizer and BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine emergency use authorization, bringing millions of Americans hope that the pandemic will soon end. Initial supplies will be given to health care workers and nursing home residents. The general public would likely be vaccinated in the early spring of 2021. Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesIn early March, Therabody donated more than 300 massaging devices to hospital break rooms in an effort to help frontline workers rest and recover. The company’s initiative offered healthcare workers in over 60 hospitals across the globe some rehab.
Rich Barnes/Getty ImagesOn April 7, healthcare workers and staff members at East Alabama Medical Center cheered as 48-year-old Tony Thornton became the hospital’s first coronavirus patient to recover enough to be removed from ventilation. The Auburn resident was the first COVID-19 patient to be intubated after he was admitted to the ICU on March 20.East Alabama Medical CenterIn April, New York City began the #ClapBecauseWeCare movement where residents would clap each night at 7 p.m. to express their gratitude to healthcare workers and hospital staffers working on the front lines against the coronavirus pandemic. The movement became a nationwide sensation and was observed across the nation and in other countries.
Noam Galai/Getty ImagesOn Nov. 16, Elon Musk’s SpaceX successfully brought astronauts to the International Space Station aboard its Crew Dragon, ushering in a new era of space travel for NASA. The astronauts began their six-month science mission aboard the ISS. The spacecraft’s launch was observed by millions of people watching from home.Red Huber/Getty ImagesIn July, the German government hit a milestone after it adopted a strategy to promote gender equality among all government departments for the first time in history. The strategy aims to close the gender pay gap and give better representation for women working in business and politics.
Fabrizio Bensch - Pool/Getty ImagesIn October, the World Food Programme won the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize after providing life-saving food assistance to nearly 100 million people. The agency helps combat acute food insecurity and hunger in 88 countries, including areas affected by war and conflict.
Rein Skullerud/WFP via Getty ImagesGovernments across the globe temporarily restricted human movement and travels at the beginning of the pandemic to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The restrictions have resulted in reductions in deadly air pollution around the world of up to 60%.pixel2013 - PixabayAfter months of stalled talks, Afghanistan and the Taliban insurgent group marked a historic moment as representatives announced an agreement to a preliminary deal to press on with peace talks. The event comes after nearly 19 years of war between the two factions.
AFP / KARIM JAAFARIn June, the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation revealed its plans to turn 62 former military bases into nature reserves. The military bases will provide more than 76,600 acres of moors, marshes, and forests and serve as the home of wolves, bears, lynxes, birds, and other wildlife.AFP / Tony KarumbaCalifornia Sen. Kamala Harris will make history as she becomes the first woman, first Black person, first Indian American, and first Asian American vice president in the history of the United States. She will also be the first graduate of a historically Black college to hold the office.
AFP / Robyn BeckFormer Vice President Joseph R. Biden won the 2020 U.S. election against Republican President Donald J. Trump, who was running for his second term at the White House. President-elect Biden is now scheduled to be inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C.
GETTY IMAGES / ALEX WONGA group of researchers at Australia’s Translational Research Institute collaborated with The University of Queensland to create a new cancer vaccine that could be used to treat blood cancers, including myeloid leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, pediatric leukemia, and solid malignancies in the breast, lungs, ovary, and pancreas. The researchers are set to begin clinical trials soon. Pallava Bagla/Corbis via Getty ImagesOn March 27, the Trump administration passed the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act intended to help keep businesses and individuals afloat amid the subsequent coronavirus lockdowns. The bill included direct payments, unemployment benefits, student loan repayment benefits, and federal aid for small businesses.
Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesAmerican pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc. and biotechnology company Moderna Inc. have successfully created COVID-19 vaccines that are 95% effective against the virus. The mRNA vaccines came in November—eight months after the pandemic began in March. AFP / DOMINICK REUTER
