The presidential election frequently captured headlines throughout 2024, but numerous other significant events and stories also made their mark. We’ve compiled some of the year’s most unforgettable visual narratives, including a few tied to the election.

2024 Presidential Election

As Inauguration Day approaches, we recap President-elect Donald Trump’s win, potential Cabinet members, and a key initiative: tariffs and their economic implications.

A notable event in politics this year was the celebration of former President Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday, marking him as the first former president to reach this age. Carter was also among the first presidents satirized on “Saturday Night Live,” which is also marking its 50th anniversary this year.

Ongoing Concerns about Inflation

Trump’s return to the White House can be partly attributed to voters’ ongoing shock from the highest inflation rates in 40 years, with consumer prices increasing over 20% since the pandemic began.

Resonate, a predictive consumer intelligence firm, regularly sampled American consumer sentiments from the pandemic’s start through September 2024. Their findings revealed that while extreme worries have lessened, two-thirds of Americans still express at least moderate concern about the economy.

A Solar Eclipse Captivated Millions; Space Science Had Its Ups and Downs

In early April, millions of Americans from Texas to Maine gazed up as the moon obscured the sun. However, not all of NASA’s celestial observations this year were positive.

The space agency celebrated the exceptional achievements of a little helicopter on Mars in January but faced a public relations challenge when safety issues with the Boeing Starliner capsule delayed two astronauts who were supposed to return from the International Space Station. Additionally, problems with a space capsule’s heat shield have postponed two anticipated lunar missions, one aimed at landing astronauts on the moon.

Natural Disasters and Climate Change’s Impact

The top 24 natural disasters in the U.S. caused over $60 billion in damages in 2024, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information continues to update its tally. The latest figures do not account for Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which resulted in at least 249 fatalities and extensively damaged multiple cities and regions in the Southeast.