The COVID-19 pandemic was caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which was first recognised in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019 and spread to nearly every country within a few months. The World Health Organization declared a pandemic in March 2020. Governments responded with measures such as travel restrictions, school closures, mask requirements and lockdowns, which disrupted economies and daily life and put severe strain on hospitals. Researchers developed effective vaccines in under a year, with mass vaccination beginning in December 2020. New variants, such as Delta and Omicron, caused further waves of infection. Millions of deaths were attributed to the disease worldwide. The World Health Organization ended the international emergency in May 2023, although the virus continues to circulate.
Before and after
- 9 October 20192019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria
- from 20 October 2019 to 1 November 20192019 Bolivian protests
- 5 November 2019Founding of Paris-Saclay University
- 12 November 2019Disney+
- from 15 November 2019 to 5 May 2023COVID-19 pandemic
- 15 November 2019COVID-19 pandemic in China
- 12 December 20192019 United Kingdom general election
- from 14 December 2019 to 16 February 2020Premiere of Crash Landing on You
- from 19 December 2019 to 6 March 2020Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019 – March 2020)
More in Society, economy & sport
- 5 October 1948Founding of International Union for Conservation of Nature
- 5 May 1949Founding of Council of Europe
- 1960Founding of Somalia
- 1 October 1963Founding of Nigeria
- 1985Introduction of new shekel
- 1990Rise of K-pop
The era
This moment belongs to the Contemporary world (1945 CE to today), the world since 1945. You can also browse everything in the 21st century.