WORLD

1 Happy New Year and new decade!

3 US kills Qassem Soleimani, head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as Popular Mobilisation Forces (or PMF) in an early morning air strike; Iran responds that there will be strong retaliation

4 Australia’s government announces a large-scale deployment of the military to aid in evacuation and firefighting efforts, the largest since World War II. Areas larger than Portugal are on fire, and over 29 people and 1.25 billion animals are dead

7 A 6.4-magnitude earthquake rocks the island of Puerto Rico

8 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce that they will step down from life as senior royals. This involves becoming financially independent (not taking money from taxpayers) and splitting their time between North America and England

14 Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Amy Klobuchar, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former Vice President Joe Biden, and businessman Tom Steyer battle it out in Des Moines, Iowa, the last democratic debate before the Iowa caucuses on 3 February 2020

15 The House votes to send the two impeachment articles that accuse President Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress to the Senate

20 US celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day

21 The first US case of the coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China, is recorded in Everett, WA. The virus has killed over 213 and sickened nearly 10,000

26 Kobe Bryant, widely regarded as the greatest basketball players of all time, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and eight others are killed in a helicopter crash

28 After years of heated Brexit debate, the UK leaves the European Union; Senate votes 51-49 to call no new witnesses on the impeachment trial of President Trump

SCHOOL

7 Tatler announces the new block schedule premiering next year

8 Liz B. ’20 is named WIAA Athlete of the Week

10 Bellevue Art Museum’s 20 Under 20 Exhibition opening reception is held; George B. and Katie W. ’20., Blake P., Eric X., Mia V., and Victor X. ’21; and David C. and Torin B. ’22 are chosen by juries to present pieces

13-14 School is closed due to inclement weather. Enjoy the snow!

17 End of fall semester

22 Seniors interrupt the morning to bring you the message of rock ’n roll!

29-1 Feb Mamma Mia! Is brought to us, courtesy of the Lakeside Drama department, catchy ABBA tunes, and sunny, sunny Greece

31 Course signups are due