Contemporary · North America · Politics

2021

U.S. Capitol stormed

January 6, 2021

A pro-Trump mob, summoned to Washington to protest the certification of Joe Biden's electoral victory, broke past police lines and ransacked the U.S. Capitol while lawmakers fled or hid under their desks. Five people died in the chaos. The president watched on television and tweeted encouragement. American democracy had survived, but the air around it had changed permanently.

More from 2021 Contemporary

In context

Also in 2021 (8 other events on record)

Taliban return to Kabul · Central Asia · War
James Webb Space Telescope launches · North America · Science
Perseverance lands on Mars · North America · Science
Myanmar coup · Southeast Asia · Politics
Omicron variant emerges · Africa · Disaster
Squid Game eats the world · East Asia · Culture

Before and after in North America

Before: May 30, 2020: Crew Dragon takes humans to orbit
After: June 24, 2022: Roe v. Wade overturned

Before and after in Politics

Before: June 30, 2020: Hong Kong national security law
After: June 24, 2022: Roe v. Wade overturned

Era

Contemporary (2001–2026), one of 196 events from that era on Saeculum.