Here are 24 World Changing Things to Look Forward to in 2024
Hey 2024! Don’t you look all shiny and new? Now that we’re all over the New Year’s parties and celebrations, our team spent hours putting together this list of things we can look forward to in 2024. It includes upcoming milestones in space travel, sports, healthcare, technology, and even Mickey Mouse going public (sort of!)
1. A total solar eclipse
On April 8, 2024, North America will be treated to a rare and total solar clips. It will be visitble in parts of Mexico, the United States and Canad. Total solar eclipses occur when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, completely blocking the sun’s face. The last time it happened was in 2017. Skygazers outside of the eclipse’s direct path will be able to see a partial solar eclipse, which is still very cool. This will mark the last time the path of a total solar eclipse crosses over North America until 2044.
2. It’s a leap year!
At the heart of the Gregorian calendar lies a mechanism that recalibrates every four years, addressing the subtle misalignment between earthly timekeeping and celestial cycles. This recalibration means that February 29th, a date reserved for leap year, emerges as a special day — particularly for those born on this unique day, granting them a distinctive occasion to celebrate. For the rest of the world, this extra day offers a rare opportunity to cherish an additional moment of existence, underscoring the significance of every fleeting second.
3. The Summer Olympics
This summer marks the return of the Summer Olympics to Paris, along with the Paralympic Games held shortly thereafter. Paris has spent millions of dollars preparing to be the host country, including several initiatives to make this year's Olympics the cleanest and greenest Olympics held in modern history. Vive la France!
4. A return to the moon
In a captivating return to lunar exploration, NASA's Artemis II mission is poised to achieve a historic milestone by sending humans into the moon's orbit, marking the first such expedition since the culmination of the Apollo program in 1972. A team of four astronauts, notably including the first Black astronaut and the pioneering woman astronaut, will embark on this celestial journey. Upon touchdown, they will join an exclusive cohort of merely 12 individuals who have graced the moon's surface. NASA emphasizes that this mission represents a pivotal stride toward establishing a sustained human presence on the moon, facilitating comprehensive tests of innovative capabilities and mechanisms. With a scheduled launch in November, anticipatory excitement permeates the global community, eagerly awaiting this momentous event.
5. Mickey Mouse is entering the public domain
The advent of a new year heralds an exciting influx of copyrighted works transitioning into the public domain, unlocking greater accessibility for creative endeavors. Notably, iconic gems from the 1920s era emerge from copyright constraints. A standout inclusion is "Steamboat Willie," the groundbreaking 1928 Disney film that introduced the world to the endearing characters of Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Additionally, literary classics such as J.M. Barrie's "Peter Pan" and A.A. Milne's "The House at Pooh Corner," featuring the exuberant character Tigger, transition to public availability. For literary enthusiasts, DH Lawrence's provocative masterpiece "Lady Chatterley's Lover" becomes accessible. Furthermore, musical compositions like "Mack the Knife," "I Wanna Be Loved By You," and Cole Porter's whimsical "Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)" enter the public domain, offering a rich tapestry for reinterpretation and appreciation.
6. College Football is changing its playoff format
For aficionados of college football, the 2024 season promises a transformative evolution with the introduction of a revamped 12-team playoff structure, superseding the contentious four-team paradigm that perennially stirs debate. Under this progressive framework, playoff berths will be conferred upon the highest-ranked conference champions, supplemented by an additional six top-ranked teams. While optimism abounds regarding consensus and fairness, the intricate network of conferences and contenders awaits refinement to a harmonious equilibrium. Although the climactic playoff showdowns are slated for January 2025, the impending alterations dominate discussions from the season's inaugural kickoff, fueling fervent anticipation and speculation.
7. New concert tours
In 2024, the global music scene is set ablaze with a star-studded lineup of tours and concerts. Taylor Swift headlines as she embarks on tours across Asia and Europe, followed by a North American stint in the fall. Music aficionados can anticipate nostalgic performances from legends such as Billy Joel, Stevie Nicks, blink-182, and Bruce Springsteen. Country music enthusiasts are in for a treat with dynamic duos like George Strait and Chris Stapleton taking center stage, along with Lainey Wilson's eagerly awaited “Country’s Cool Again” tour. For those seeking a nostalgic trip to the '90s, Creed headlines two sold-out cruises for their “Summer of ‘99” tour.
8. Indonesia is getting a new capital
Indonesia embarks on a monumental endeavor to address congestion, overpopulation, and climate change by relocating its capital from Jakarta to a jungle-covered region on Borneo Island. Named Nusantara, translating to “archipelago” in Indonesian, this ambitious project, initiated in 2019, anticipates a transition period spanning decades, with 2024 earmarked for the official shift.
9. A Big Catholic Moment?
The Catholic Church culminates its three-year series of deliberations, the “Synod of Synodality,” focusing on pivotal issues such as women's roles in church leadership and the sanctity of same-sex marriages. Facilitated by Pope Francis, this assembly underscores progressive perspectives within the Catholic leadership, fostering discussions on contemporary societal and theological challenges.
10. Faster, Better, More Accurate AI 2024 heralds artificial intelligence (AI) as the predominant technological trend, poised to revolutionize various sectors. Innovators and companies are exploring AI applications ranging from advanced virtual assistants surpassing current platforms like Siri and Alexa to AI-driven investment tools, real-time language translation services, and streamlined software development methodologies.
11. Long Awaited Video Games
Some of the biggest titles in recent gaming history are set to release new versions. Gamers anticipate a plethora of immersive experiences with the release of the highly anticipated “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth” and innovative ventures like the interactive documentary featuring Jeff Minter's illustrious gaming career. This pioneering approach preserves gaming history while offering players a captivating journey through iconic pixelated classics.
12. Mexico’s Historic Election
We get it – elections aren’t always nice. But in Mexico, the electoral landscape is set to be massively shaken as Claudia Sheinbaum and Xóchitl Gálvez vie for the presidency, marking a historic contest between two formidable women with distinct visions for Mexico's future. Although no one knows the outcome, one thing is a certainty: A woman will lead Mexico for the first time in its history.
13. The 150th Anniversary of Impressionism
The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Musée d’Orsay in Paris orchestrate a grand celebration commemorating the 150th anniversary of the inaugural Impressionist art exhibition. This collaborative extravaganza, “Paris 1874: The Impressionist Movement,” showcases 130 masterpieces from luminaries like Renoir, Monet, and Degas, meticulously curated to evoke the ambiance of the seminal 19th-century exhibition.
14. New Malaria Vaccines
In the realm of public health, 2024 witnesses the distribution of a groundbreaking antimalarial vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, across multiple African nations, augmenting the fight against a disease claiming countless lives annually. Additionally, Brazil embarks on a transformative initiative with the World Mosquito Program's introduction of genetically modified mosquitoes, offering a promising solution to combat mosquito-borne diseases like dengue.
15. New Mosquitos?
Is it creepy or world changing? Another big public health breakthrough could be coming to Brazil, where the non-profit World Mosquito Program will start a ten-year program to release modified mosquitoes into the country’s urban areas. These mosquitoes carry a bacteria that stops them from transmitting viruses. Over time, this could save millions of people from deadly preventable diseases like dengue.
16. A better economy?
Economic prognostications for 2024 exhibit cautious optimism, with decelerating inflation and favorable stock market projections fostering predictions of an improved job market. This positive economic trajectory engenders renewed confidence, stimulating investments and catalyzing job opportunities.
17. Eurovision is going to be the biggest ever
The massive talent show is set to get even bigger. As the 2024 Eurovision Contest looms, Olly Alexander ignites anticipation with his upcoming performance, promising an enthralling spectacle in Malmö. This milestone coincides with the 50th anniversary of ABBA's iconic triumph with "Waterloo," amplifying excitement for this momentous event.
18. The Stranger Things Finale
We’ve watched them grow up before our eyes (at least on our TV screens), now Netflix's acclaimed series, Stranger Things, approaches its conclusion with a highly anticipated finale, promising fans a gratifying resolution to the intricate narrative tapestry woven over its successful run. David Harbour has already teased the conclusion as being “terrific” because it ties up all the loose ends of the series.
19. Shohei Ohtani’s first game as an LA Dodger
Fresh off signing the MLB’s largest ever contract at a whopping $600 million over ten years, the LA Dodgers are the runaway favorites to win the World Series. As if adding the generational talent in Ohtani wasn’t enough, a few weeks later, the Dodgers also signed Yoshinobu Yamamoto to another massive deal. The signings now give them a one-two punch of one of the most feared bats in baseball, coupled with baseball’s best young pitcher who many think will grow into a generational talent himself.
20. New Tesla's are On the Way?
After years of slowly teasing Tesla's latest vehicle, the Cybertruck is set to be released in 2024. The 2024 Tesla Cybertruck is considered to be a major contender against top-selling pickup trucks, boasting a sharp-edged stainless-steel body that's said to be bulletproof. It offers two trims for 2024: a 600-hp dual-motor AWD model and a powerful 845-hp tri-motor variant named Cyberbeast. Tesla says the truck can tow up to 11,000 pounds with an estimated driving range of 340 miles.
21. New Prosthetic Technology
A transformative shift in prosthetics could arrive in 2024. A slew of new manufacturers are already experimenting with innovative materials like silicone and even spider silk, promising enhanced lightweight designs with remarkably lifelike appearances. Advancements at the crossroads of biology, AI-driven software—capable of predicting and facilitating movement—and cutting-edge hardware, such as air muscles that channel highly pressurized air and ferrofluids enabling human-like motion, are converging. This convergence is poised to produce replacement limbs that epitomize a "bionic" quality, boasting agility and strength potentially surpassing those of traditional limbs crafted from flesh, blood, muscle, and bone.
22. A Renewed Award Season
Lights, camera, reaction! With the Hollywood strike a thing of the past, we can expect a great new award season honoring the best and brightest hollywood films, shows, and specials over the past year. It starts on Jan 7th with the Golden Globes, followed by the Emmy Awards a week later, then the Grammy's on Feb 4th, concluding with the Oscars on March 10th.
23. Teachers Will Get Paid More (finally!)
In 2023, several US states have approved pay raise for teachers salaries. The states include Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee, and Utah. Connecticut and Maine have also attempted to pass legislation that raises salaries, but the legislation wasn’t approved. Could 2024 be the year? Another state to watch is Texas where the governor has been an advocate of raising public school teachers pay.
24. Balcon Power Generation
It’s a step closer to making homes more energy efficient. In Germany, some 230,000 homes and businesses currently have balcony “power plants.” They’re small solar systems that allow homes to generate power from sunlight, which in turn covers around 10-20% of their daily household electricity needs. Germany is already planning to increase the maximum limit from 600 to 800 watts, and 2024 could be the year that other European countries decide to make balcony power generation mainstream.
