The world celebrates the arrival of 2021 1:57
(CNN) ––
Yes, this could tempt fate in 2021. And, yes, the 2020 version of this article now looks like a depressing farce.
But we go.
Something good has to happen this year, right?
Many things that were canceled in 2020 will return in 2021. At least, tentatively.
In addition, many of the daily activities that we previously took for granted can gradually return to our lives ... things like hugging and not feeling uncomfortable about getting on a plane.
TENTATIVELY.
If all goes well, we can dare to expect everything on this list in 2021.
1. The Tokyo Olympics
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The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games were postponed due to the pandemic, but are now scheduled for July 2021. The event may not resemble versions of the past, as the International Olympic Committee said it will be a "simpler and more restricted approach. ».
But, that won't stop us from enjoying the communal joy of pretending to know how gymnastics is rated.
2. Eurovision Song Contest
Do you remember the concerts?
From music shows?
Do you remember seeing large, undulating crowds of overly energetic people enjoying the vibes without caring about anything in the world?
They may return.
And that includes the very popular Eurovision Song Contest, which was postponed to 2020. Contest organizers say that "there will definitely be a Eurovision Song Contest in 2021."
It is currently scheduled for May in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
3. NASA's Perseverance rover lands on Mars
Mars will have a small inhabitant when NASA's Perseverance rover lands in February.
Like its charming predecessors in the Mars Exploration Program, Perseverance is sure to have an entire entourage of Earth fans following it.
Is it because we like to anthropomorphize complex robotics, or because we secretly wish to be thrown from this Earth to another planet as well?
4. Travel and large meetings
Raise your hand if the most exotic thing you've seen this year is literally anything outside your own home.
Even if you're not planning a big trip when the pandemic clears, the thought that you might go somewhere else is comforting.
And do you know what is better than a vacation?
A great (safe) gathering with friends.
Hopefully we will all remember how to socialize.
5. Generalized immunity against covid-19
Of course, for any of these exciting things to happen, we need safe practices in the pandemic and a Covid-19 vaccine available to everyone.
Several countries have started implementing vaccination plans and it appears that more vaccine authorizations are on the way.
It's going to take a while.
Experts say that we may not see something close to "normal" until the second half of the year.
But oh, it will be worth the wait.
6. UEFA Euro
This quadrennial soccer tournament was supposed to be held in 2020. Furthermore, it was expected to be a special one to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the contest.
But don't worry, it will still be special when this summer starts!
Instead of a host region, the championship will be held in 12 host countries in Europe, from Spain to Romania to Russia.
7. T20 Cricket World Cup
In other sports news, the International Cricket Council Men's T20 World Cup will be held in India this fall.
Of course, the event was postponed to 2020. Americans, if you need a manual before diving into the waters of cricket fanaticism, say no more.
Here we explain it to you.
8. Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary
Speaking of milestones, October 1 marks the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World.
The park will also reveal many new things to enjoy.
Among them, an attraction from
Ratatoiulle
, another from
Guardians of the Galaxy and
one more from
Tron
.
9.New climate policies and actions
2020 was supposed to be the year the world's climate plans would be on track.
But… it didn't happen.
Next year may be better!
The European Union sealed plans to reduce carbon emissions and allocate billions to clean energy alternatives.
China, the world's biggest polluter, has pledged to achieve a zero carbon footprint by 2060. Japan, South Korea and Canada made similar pledges to reduce fossil fuels.
And we may see more positive decisions at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, this November.
10. The presidential inauguration in the United States.
Regardless of your political preference, a presidential inauguration is a piece of history.
So all eyes will be on America in January, when Joe Biden takes office.
Meanwhile, Kamala Harris will make all kinds of history when she takes office as the first woman and the first black woman to serve as US Vice President.
11. New TV shows
If you've already seen everything on Netflix, fear not!
It will be a very fruitful television year.
The long-awaited
Friends
reunion
is scheduled to air in March.
A new version of
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is
coming to Peacock.
Also, Netflix is developing a live version of the classic
Cowboy Bebop
anime
.
And Disney + will launch what feels like a million new shows and concepts.
Whatever happens to your social schedule, your television schedule is definitely taken over.
12. New movies
Where to start?
Take a deep breath:
Dune
, with Timothee Chalamet;
Cinderella
, with Billy Porter;
a new version of
Coming to America
, with Eddie Murphy.
A new Bond movie,
No Time to Die.
A new installment of
Fantastic Beasts
and
Black Widow
.
Oh, and Warner Brothers will air their new movies on HBO Max the same day they hit theaters.
Wait, it looks like we're missing something ...
13. Tom Cruise goes to espaaaaacio
In addition to starring in the upcoming
Top Gun: Maverick movie
, Tom Cruise will literally take off when he works on the first narrative movie to be shot in outer space.
With the help of NASA and Elon Musk's SpaceX, Cruise will travel to the International Space Station to work on the project this year.
14. The largest cicada brood
I hope you like bugs, because billions of them will invade parts of the US when Brood X comes out of the ground this spring.
This is the largest and largest of the 15 baby cicadas in the US It's a once in 17 years event folks!
It is a cultural moment!
It will take months to get the creaking of their abandoned shells out of your head.
But hey, you can learn a thing or two about cicadas, and that's valuable knowledge.
15. 6G
Now is the time to confess if you really don't know what terms like 4G, 5G and 6G mean.
It refers to different generations of technology standards for cellular networks.
In other words, it's the level at which your cell phone, the internet, and many other telecommunications architectures perform.
This is why many people were excited about 5G.
Faster phone!
Broadcast all things!
Less painful Zoom meetings!
Well, things will get even faster and better when more 5G networks appear around the world.
And Japan and Korea are already working on 6G capabilities.
This next generation will help improve things like remote working and distance learning, as well as more futuristic activities like holograms and virtual and augmented reality.
16. Artificial intelligence.
Everywhere.
Artificial intelligence technology has been a huge point of focus for a while now.
But in 2021 we will see it appear in even more places.
And no, not in a terrifying
Black Mirror-
style way
.
Imagine, for example, all that artificial intelligence can do to help us interpret and use medical and scientific data.
You know, in the event of a massive pandemic.
This technology also helps more companies make smarter decisions about customer behavior.
Appen Chief Technology Officer Wilson Pang told Forbes magazine that he expects more companies to address the worrying bias issues in artificial intelligence technologies by 2021, so that innovators can develop artificial intelligence responsibly.
17. Deliveries with drones
Walmart, Amazon, UPS, and other companies are stepping up their bets on drones, so don't be surprised if packages start arriving at your door soon.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has just published new rules on "drones", which will promote "the integration of drones into the national airspace system."
Amazon's drone delivery service Prime Air got a boost from the FAA in early 2020.
18. Queen Elizabeth turns 95
Queen Elizabeth II is already the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
And in 2021 he will celebrate an equally impressive achievement: turning 95!
His birthday is April 21.
You probably won't need gifts, but we hope our British friends will do something fancy to celebrate.
In the meantime, we will see
The Crown
.
19. Long-awaited concerts
Nostalgia is going to have a great year in 2021 with all the re-releases, remakes, and reunions.
Could we get another fix with a possible Spice Girls world tour?
There have been rumors about a 25th anniversary tour. And Spice Girl Mel C herself hinted that it might happen.
Meanwhile, the Doobie Brothers will go on tour for their 50th anniversary in July.
Celine Dion, Guns N 'Roses, Harry Styles and dozens of other artists make plans to return to the stage as the year progresses.
20. New albums
Would you rather enjoy music with a little more physical detachment?
Evanescence, Kendrick Lamar, Kacey Musgraves, Lorde, Cardi B, Adele, Foo Fighters, and The Cure are either confirmed or strongly rumored to release new albums this year.
21. Hugs 🙁
Come on, 2021. Please let us have this.
2021