2026 Year in Review

January

A dramatic start to the year

2026 opened with major geopolitical shifts, including the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces — one of the most consequential moments of the decade.

February

Super Bowl LX & the Bad Bunny halftime show

Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance became an instant cultural moment — New York City even reported a spike in water usage in the 15 minutes after the show ended.

Spring

NASA's Artemis II lunar flyby

Artemis II carried astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over fifty years, a historic step toward returning humans to the lunar surface.

Summer

Sagrada Família completed — 144 years later

The final piece of the central tower of Barcelona's Sagrada Família was put in place, making it the tallest church in the world at 172.5 meters.

Summer

FIFA World Cup 2026

The largest World Cup ever was hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with 48 teams playing in stadiums from Vancouver to Mexico City to New York/New Jersey.

July 4

America turns 250

The United States celebrated its semiquincentennial — 250 years since the Declaration of Independence — with commemorations across the country.

All Year

The first trillionaire

Elon Musk became the world's first trillionaire, a milestone in an economic year defined by the rapid growth of AI and technology.

All Year

Conflict and diplomacy

Armed conflicts reshaped the Middle East and beyond, while diplomatic efforts and cultural milestones continued to define a year of unprecedented change.