2021

Overview

The year 2021 began on Friday, January 1, and is the 2021st year of Christian Chronology, the 21st year of the 3rd millennium, and the 21st year of the 21st century.

International Designations

* The United Nations designated 2021 as the International Plant Health Year.
* The World Health Organization (WHO) also declared 2021 as the Nurse and Midwife Year.

Events

### January

* January 1:
+ Portugal took over the presidency of the European Union.
+ The African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) entered into force.
+ Cuba unified its monetary system after 27 years, ending the double circulation of currencies.
* January 6: The US Congress was stormed in the United States.
* January 8: Türksat 5A was launched into space with a Falcon 9 rocket.
* January 20: Joe Biden became the 46th President of the United States and began serving as head of state.
* January 22: The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons came into force.
* January 23: A ship named Mozart was attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea, resulting in one fatality.

Notable Events

* The COVID-19 pandemic continued to have a significant impact on global economies and societies, leading to widespread lockdowns, cancellations, and delays of events.
* In Germany, Angela Merkel's chancellorship ended after 16 years, marking a significant change in the country's politics.

Calendar Correspondences

The year 2021 of the Gregorian calendar corresponds to the following dates in other calendars:

* Chinese Calendar: (not specified)

Note: The exact date correspondence with the Chinese Calendar is not provided in any of the source snippets. If you have additional information, please provide it for inclusion.