There had been various events and happenings that really melted people’s hearts and put everyone in great shock. In fact, some of these have caused negative implications and impact to some countries, including its economy in great measure. As much as we don’t want to reminisce and remember what had happened last year up until this year, we have to recall them for us to learn history and the lessons of the past. They might be considered as the most devastating moments, especially to those people who have witnessed and experienced the tumultuous and heartbreaking circumstances. They are part of year 2011 and their effects are reminders of change where lessons must be learned where they should be grasped even more, Below are the 10 most devastating moments of 2010 – 2011
10. The International Occupy Protest
This is actually an ongoing protest, but its first protest happened on September 17, 2011, which took place in New York City. It is also better known as the “Occupy Wall Street” phenomenon, which is actually a movement to awaken the government due economic downfall and social disparities. It has grown a lot and there are 82 countries that have supported this movement. It’s still active because of the growing numbers of unemployment rate while an increase of overseas jobs are being extended to some citizens who are looking for competitive work with fair compensation.
9. Credit Card Rating Has Decreased
There were continuous aftershocks that the United States had experienced since the economic chaos had happened, which caused the livelihood of its citizens. After 70 years of its leading existence when it comes to credit card rating, its first downgrading rate has been given, which was issued by the Standard & Poor, who is the major influential credit rating agency in the world. From A+++ it became A++ on August 05, 2011. It was the first lowest rating that they have received. According to S&P, they have done this because of the increasing debt and budget deficits of the government.
8. The Norwegian Very Own 9/11
Everyone is familiar on the heartbreaking attack of 9/11 that has killed the lives of many loved ones of not just the people in the United States, but other citizenships from other countries who were living and working in the busiest city of New York. Hence, Norway had the same attack on July 22, 2011 wherein there were 76 people that died because of the terror attack. The first incident was the car bomb that killed 8 persons, and the Utoya Massacre that killed 69 people.
7. Somalia’s Famine
Africa is one of the countries that have the highest rate of mortality, which is associated with malnutrition because of the lack of food. It has triggered more because of the famine that happened last July 20, 2011. In fact, Somalia has suffered the highest mortality rate of about 75%; wherein there were 100 children die each day. There were other areas in Africa, which were affected aside from Somalia such as Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. This is being triggered more because of the price increases in commodities, crop failure, and militant conflict amidst the assistance being extended by other foreign countries.
6. Bin Laden’s Death
It could not be a devastating moment for some, but actually a relief wherein the victims’ families had been waiting for where they could finally achieve the justice for the lives of those people who died from the 9/11 attack. President Barrack Obama made an announcement on May 02, 2011 that Osama Bin Laden, who was the known head of the Al-Qaeda group, is dead. It has caused happiness because justice has been served but also fear because of a revolution that might happen in 2012 to be initiated by Bin Laden’s followers.
5. Death of Steve Jobs
Everyone was in grief when the curtains closed for Steve Jobs, who was known as the business magnate and owner of the powerful Apple Incorporated. The world and business leaders cried over his loss where various articles and profound messages had been quoted by some patrons and loyalists in social networking sites and other tributes were made because of the legacy that he had contributed.
4. Fall of Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi
The civil protest and war had ended when the known Libyan dictator was brutally killed by the group of rebels because of the strong angst that they had felt under the power and leadership of the former Libyan leader. His position and life has ended on October 20, 2011 and the citizens of Libya finally felt the freedom and justice that they are longing for. His death is the sign of freedom for the Libyans.
3. The Mammoth Anti-Corruption Crusade Made by Anna Hazare
The 74-year old Anna Hazare, who is a zealous activist, took the initiative in India to fight against corruption through an anti-graft movement on April 05, 2011. There were series of protests and demonstrations that has also led hunger strikes done at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on August 24, 2011. A bill in the parliament has been approved after 42 years but there were conditions stated by the activist, which were not included on the protests that they have uttered.
2. Japanese Multiple Disasters
Who would ever forget the heartbreaking videos of the flood wrought by the tsunami where it destroyed material possessions, buildings, and even businesses of the Japanese people, which also killed the lives of their loved ones? The first catastrophe happened on March 11, 2011 with the 9.1 magnitude earthquake, which was followed by a tsunami that made 4,000 people missing and almost 16,000 people died. It did not stop there because it has impacted and affected the nuclear power plants that put more of the Japanese lives’ in danger.
1. The Ousting of President Hosni Mubarak
Because of the awakening that happened to the people in Egypt, they started demonstrations and series of protests to overthrow the leader of Egypt, President Hosni Mubarak, which started on Jan 25, 2011 and it continued until December 2011. The first success came when an announcement was made on February 11, 2011 by the Vice President of Egypt that Pres. Mubarak will resign and the authority will be passed on to the Supreme Council of Armed Forces. The year 2012 is indeed a new year for the Egyptian citizens where they could truly experience liberty and freedom.