The Trump Assassination Attempts That Shocked the World
At a rally near Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024, 20-year-old Matthew Crooks fired a rifle at the Republican nominee for president Donald Trump as he spoke to the crowd. Trump’s ear was grazed by a bullet, but one spectator, Corey Comperatore, was shot and killed. In September 2024, a man with a gun was found near the course were the Former President was playing golf. Speaking of Trump, another way that he’ll wind up in the history books of the future is by surviving two different attempts on his life in 2024. The dramatic scenes unfolded in real time on television, complete with Secret Service agents rushing Trump off stage as he raised his fist in defiance. Trump, meanwhile, survived two assassination attempts—one at a campaign event in Pennsylvania on July 13 and another while playing golf on September 15. Despite these challenges, Trump was re-elected as President of the United States on November 5, becoming the oldest person to hold the office and the first president to be convicted of a felony. The sheer movie-like tension of these moments would rival any Hollywood thriller.
Bolivia’s Three-Hour Military Coup Attempt
On 26 June 2024, an attempted military coup occurred in Bolivia, orchestrated by dissident officers of the Armed Forces led by General Juan José Zúñiga. Early on 26 June, Bolivian Army units began irregular mobilizations, culminating by mid-afternoon in the complete occupation of Plaza Murillo. A tense standoff between soldiers and police joined by protesters lasted for three hours. Minutes later, at 3:49 p.m., an armored vehicle rammed the façade of the Palacio Quemado – the historical palace of government – destroying the main gate. Masked soldiers led by Zúñiga proceeded to storm the entrance while yet more troops closed off the perimeter. In a tense exchange inside the building, Arce confronted Zúñiga face-to-face, demanding the military return to its barracks: “… you are carrying out a coup against the Bolivian people! I will not allow it! If you respect yourself as a soldier, withdraw all your forces. It’s an order!”. The dramatic showdown between president and general, with tanks crushing through palace gates, reads like a political thriller script. This modern-day coup attempt showcased the razor-thin line between democracy and dictatorship in just three intense hours.
Syria’s Dictator Falls After 54 Years of Family Rule
On December 8, 2024, the dictatorial regime of Bashir al-Assad in Syria was overthrown on the heels of a multi-week wave of unrest in the country. Rebels unseated Assad, who had been in power since 2000 (his family had been in power for more than five decades), overtook major cities like Damascus, and ultimately took control of Syria when Assad fled to Russia. The dramatic collapse happened with breathtaking speed after decades of brutal civil war. The coup plotters lacked meaningful military or political support and were met with bipartisan domestic and international condemnation. The imagery of rebels storming Damascus while Assad fled in the night to his patron Putin represents one of the most dramatic regime changes in modern Middle Eastern history. This sudden end to a dynasty that seemed unshakeable would provide the perfect climax for an epic political drama spanning generations.
Hurricane Helene’s Path of Unprecedented Destruction
Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26, 2024, near Perry, Florida, as a Category 4 with 140 miles per hour winds. The storm is being blamed for 247 deaths, with hundreds more still missing, making it the fourth-deadliest U.S. hurricane since at least 1963. Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which struck the USA in rapid succession in September and October respectively, were the most destructive disasters of 2024. Helene resulted in the largest overall losses from natural disasters in 2024 at US$ 56bn, US$ 16bn of which were borne by insurers. In the storm’s wake, severe flooding from heavy rain spread northward into the Appalachian regions from Georgia to North Carolina. More than 200 people lost their lives. The year’s most destructive weather event of 2024 was Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region September 26 as a Category 4 storm with 140 mph winds. As documented by Michael Lowry, at least 243 people lost their lives in Helene across seven states, making it the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina killed an estimated 1,392 people in 2005. Flood damage from the hurricane was catastrophic in western North Carolina, and the $79 billion price tag makes it the seventh-most expensive weather disaster in world history, adjusted for inflation.
Two Astronauts Stranded in Space for Months
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, originally scheduled for an eight-day mission, have been stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for 70 days due to issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The Starliner experienced propulsion and helium leak problems, and an empty Starliner was sent back to Earth earlier this month for safety reasons. While a SpaceX capsule launched in October to retrieve them, their return is now delayed until February 2025. The astronauts will remain at the ISS, 254 miles above Earth, until then. In June, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams safely arrived at the space station aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft following launch of their flight test. Starliner returned uncrewed in September following a decision by NASA. Wilmore and Williams, now serving as part of the agency’s Crew-9 mission, will return to Earth in February 2025. What started as an eight-day test mission turned into an eight-month nightmare scenario that captures the real dangers of space exploration. The image of two astronauts watching their faulty spacecraft return to Earth without them while they remain stranded 254 miles above the planet creates the perfect setup for a survival thriller.
The Richest Man’s Social Media Empire Takeover
While the dramatic Twitter acquisition by Elon Musk actually occurred in late 2022, its movie-worthy aftermath dominated 2024 headlines. The world’s richest man purchased the platform for $44 billion, immediately fired thousands of employees, and rebranded it to “X.” The chaotic transformation included reinstating banned accounts, implementing radical content moderation changes, and battling regulators worldwide. The behind-the-scenes drama involved boardroom battles, legal fights, and public feuds that played out in real-time on the very platform being transformed. The story combines corporate intrigue, technological disruption, and personal ego in ways that would make for compelling cinema. From late-night coding sessions to global political implications, this modern tale of power and innovation deserves the big screen treatment.
Bitcoin Breaks the $100,000 Barrier for the First Time
Did you know that on December 5, 2024, Bitcoin’s value surpassed $100,000 for the first time? This historic surge was largely attributed to President-elect Donald Trump’s supportive stance on cryptocurrencies, including his nomination of crypto advocate Paul Atkins to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The rise was also supported by the introduction of Bitcoin-focused investment options, like ETFs, which opened the door for big investors and boosted confidence in the cryptocurrency’s future. This milestone moment represents more than just numbers on a screen – it’s the culmination of a 15-year journey from an obscure digital experiment to a legitimate financial force. The dramatic price surge happened in real-time, with traders around the world watching their screens as history was made. The cryptocurrency that started as a rebellious challenge to traditional banking had finally achieved mainstream acceptance, creating millionaires and billionaires overnight while reshaping the global financial landscape.
NYC Mayor Charged with Federal Corruption While in Office
The charges stemmed from allegations that Adams, while campaigning for his position, accepted illegal donations in exchange for political favors. The case also suggested that city contracts were awarded to donors under dubious circumstances. This scandal raised questions about the extent of corruption in urban governance, especially in major cities like New York, which are often seen as hubs for political influence and corporate interests. New York City Mayor Eric Adams found himself in hot water after being charged with federal corruption offenses involving bribery and fraudulent campaign donations. The spectacle of America’s most prominent mayor being indicted while still serving in office created a political earthquake that reverberated far beyond New York City. The Adams case serves as a reminder that corruption is not confined to national politics but is equally prevalent at local and regional levels. The dramatic perp walk, press conferences, and political maneuvering that followed would provide rich material for a political thriller exploring the intersection of power, money, and justice in modern America.
Sweden Joins NATO After Decades of Neutrality
On March 7, 2024, Sweden officially joined NATO. That was a major moment in the world of international relations for a few different reasons, not least of which was because both Turkey and Hungary had previously objected to the Nordic nation joining with the rest of NATO’s European and North American powers. And with Sweden now officially in the mix there, that brings the alliance up to 32 countries, making it all the more formidable as a unified group of allies operating (uh, mostly) in congruence on the world stage. But it’s also a major moment that will be covered in future history textbooks because of who else is not in NATO. As you might have already guessed (or known), Ukraine is not in NATO, even as Sweden has now joined. And that’s a particularly sore point for many Ukrainians and other Europeans, among Ukraine’s aforementioned brutal war with Russia. On the global stage, Sweden’s entry into NATO strengthened the alliance, while the European Union made history by implementing the first-ever regulations for artificial intelligence. This historic shift from centuries of neutrality to military alliance represents a geopolitical earthquake triggered by Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
China Records Over 4,000 Corruption Cases in Single Year
On January 10, 2025, China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) reported that it had filed more than 4,000 disciplinary cases against officials in 2024. A record 58 senior officials were investigated, with 47 at the vice-ministerial level or above. Two days earlier, the CCDI had stated that it will rigorously investigate corruption cases in which political and economic issues intertwine and that it would focus its efforts in the areas of development zones, energy, engineering construction and tenders, finance, firef