Jane's Pocket Change: What's Going On in the World?
As I like to at this time of year, here is a selection of some interesting world events, culled from The Economist. Wishing all of you all the very best for 2017.
As I like to at this time of year, here is a selection of some interesting world events, culled from The Economist. Wishing all of you all the very best for 2017.
JANUARY
- It’s 10 years since Steve Jobs of Apple unveiled the iPhone.
- America’s 45th president, and the 44th person to do the job (Grover Cleveland’s two separate terms count twice) takes office.
- The year of the rooster begins: those born in rooster years are said to be straightforward, sociable and punctual.
FEBRUARY
- Women around the world are encouraged to experience what it’s like to wear a headscarf on World Hijab Day.
- Sapporo in Japan hosts the Asian Winter Games.
- Hollywood revels in the academy awards.
MARCH
- Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Finland.
- Hong Kong chooses its chief executive. The Dutch vote in a general election.
- The championship game of the World Baseball Classic, a 16-nation tournament held once every four years, is played in Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
APRIL
- Americans look back at the first World War, 100 years after Congress voted to enter it on April 6th, 2017.
- Some 1 billion people celebrate Earth Day, the largest secular holiday in the world.
- Rather fewer people celebrate National Jelly Bean Day in Britain.
MAY
- France picks its president, in the run-off round of voting. Iran also holds a presidential election.
- The leaders of the G7 big Western economies gather in Taormina, Sicily.
- The Venice Biennale opens.
JUNE
- Europe’s football season reaches its climax with the final of the UEFA Champions League in Cardiff, Wales.
- The world’s most famous, glamorous yacht competition, the America’s Cup races to its finish in Bermuda.
- Europeans rejoice as the EU abolishes roaming charges for mobile phones.
[July-December available in The World in 2017, The Economist]
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Pocket Change is a web diary written by Jane Moulding, head of school.