With the holiday season and finals over, it was probably easy to disconnect from the world and relax over winter break. While break might have been peaceful and calm from the comfort of our homes, the world experienced tragedies, discoveries, and new beginnings. Here are 10 big world events that happened over break:

Tsunami in Indonesia

On Saturday December 22nd, tragedy struck Indonesia as a tsunami swept through the Sunda Strait. The tsunami was the result of landslides caused by a nearby volcanic eruption. Hundreds were killed and thousands have been misplaced.

For more information, go here.

Government Shutdown

President Trump called a partial government shutdown over a lack of funding for a border wall to combat illegal immigration. The shutdown has lasted over four weeks, and is currently holding the record for longest government shutdown.

For more information, go here.

Stock Market Drop

Starting off the new year, the stock market dropped the most it ever has since the 2008 financial crisis. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped nearly 400 points, adding to the unease of many investors.

For more information, go here. 

Ultima Thule

On the morning of January 1st, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft passed by Ultima Thule. It is in the outermost region of our solar system located in the Kuiper Belt.

For more information, go here. 

Brazil’s New President

On January 1st, Jair Bolsonaro took office as Brazil’s new president. His far-right ideals promise order and security, but many fear that certain communities will become oppressed under his rule.

For more information,go here. 

Speaker of the House

Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to be Speaker of the House, has reclaimed her position as Democrats take control of the chamber. She was sworn in during the middle of the government shutdown and has ambitious plans for America’s future.

For more information, go here. 

Bears Making the Playoffs

On a more local level, the Bears played their first, and sadly last, playoff game on January 6th. They played against the Philadelphia Eagles in Chicago’s very own Soldier Field. The game ended in a tragic field goal from kicker Cody Parkey.

For the game highlights, go here. 

Golden Globes

This winter break was big for the entertainment industry as several films and T.V shows went home with a Golden Globe award. Hosted by Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg, the Golden Globes were full of hilarious, shocking, and heartwarming moments.

For full coverage of the golden globes, go here. 

Shattering gender stereotypes in India    

In the city of Kerala in India, two women have stepped inside the Sabarimala temple for the first time. Thousands of women even formed a human chain to show their support for gender equality. The Indian Supreme Court lifted the ban on women entering the temple, and as a result, protests from Hindu nationalists continue to roar.

For more information, go here.