2022 Year In Review

The world said goodbye to an important leader this summer. Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom died on September 8, at the age of 96. Her reign lasted 70 years, making her the longest-serving British monarch. Queen Elizabeth ruled over the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The queen’s funeral was big news across the globe. World leaders, including United States President Joe Biden, attended the services. 

Immediately following Queen Elizabeth’s death, her oldest son took over the throne. Prince Charles of Wales is now King Charles III. His coronation, or crowning ceremony, is scheduled to take place on May 6, 2023.

England’s national anthem, or song, has also changed for the first time since 1952. “God Save the Queen” is once again called “God Save the King.” 

In February, athletes from around the world competed in the Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. Team USA took home 25 medals. That included a gold medal for snowboarder Chloe Kim (above). She won the women’s halfpipe event. Nathan Chen became the first Asian American to win gold in men’s figure skating.

The Winter Olympics were the fifth and final Games for snowboarder Shaun White. He retired with three Olympic gold medals—more than any other snowboarder in history. 

One of the most powerful hurricanes to ever hit the United States slammed into Florida on September 28. Hurricane Ian made landfall with winds of 150 miles per hour. The storm tore a path of destruction through the state over the next two days before continuing into South Carolina and North Carolina. 

Ian brought heavy rains and widespread flooding. The storm dumped more than 12 inches of rain on Orlando, Florida, in a single day. 

More than 130 people died as a result of the storm. Thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed across the region. Tens of thousands of people had to evacuate. More than 5 million households temporarily lost electricity.

On June 30, Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in as a justice, or judge, on the U.S. Supreme Court. That’s the most powerful court in the nation. Jackson is the first Black female justice in the Court’s history.

1. What are three facts you can learn about the British monarchy from the section “A Royal Farewell”?
2. Choose one person named in the article. Explain why this person made headlines in 2022.
3. Why do you think the author writes that Hurricane Ian “slammed into” Florida? What does this phrase tell you about the storm?