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Well, here we are — the final day of 2019. Tomorrow 2020 begins, and so does a new decade. While we're all ready to move forward, we thought that we would take one last look at the year by discussing our Top 5 2019 news stories!
Number 1: Bianca Andreescu, queen of tennis
Bianca Andreescu climbed every mountain, well, skyscraper, in 2019. (Getty Embed)
This year was a big one for sports in Canada (more on that soon!), but it's difficult to say that any story was bigger than the rise of tennis player Bianca Andreescu. From her Auckland final appearance in January, and an out-of-nowhere Indian Wells victory in March, to her hometown crown at the Rogers Cup in August, and a stunning U.S. Open triumph in September, this Mississauga native's year didn't just charm her country. Her constant climb was the biggest story in all of tennis.
She ended 2019 by winning the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's top athlete of the year. And she's only 19 years old! 2020 could be another very big year for her.
Number 2: Greta Thunberg, climate fighter
From Europe to North and South America, activist Greta Thunberg spoke out on climate change. (Getty Embed)
Another young woman with a massive year was climate activist Greta Thunberg. The 16-year-old Swede went literally all over the world in 2019 to speak out about the dangers of climate change — all on her own carbon-free terms, of course!
Along the way, she inspired millions and millions of people, especially young people — many were just as impressed by how she handled criticism by certain writers and politicians as they were by her message. She was named TIME Magazine's Person Of The Year, a huge honour. But you know that this attention only matters to her if it brings action.
Number 3: Black hole, now we see you
The most remarkable photo of 2019 is this one. (Getty Embed)
While we would never want to come face-to-face with an actual black hole, we're more than happy to look at a photo of one. And that wish FINALLY came true this year, when years of research and mountains of data were used to produce one of the most impossible images to capture in the universe. A photo of a black hole.
Number 4: Raptors reign
A lot of people — and we mean A LOT — fell in love with this year's Raptors. (Getty Embed)
We tried to choose just a single sports event to grace our Top 5 2019 stories. But who could deny the NBA championship of the Toronto Raptors? No one, that's who! Not even the two-time defending champs, the Golden State Warriors!
This was the year that the Raptors went from lovable losers to dominant force, all on the back of the ultimate gamble — trading fan-favorite DeMar DeRozan for one year of Kawhi Leonard. Not only did it work out amazingly well (complete with the biggest parade/party the country has ever seen), but even without Leonard on this season's roster, the Raps look mighty impressive.
Number 5: NOT extinct after all
No need to be shy, Mr. Tortoise. You made our Top 5! (Getty Embed)
And last, but not least, we're going to remember 2019 as the year of the NOT-extinct animals. That's because between the Fernandina giant Galapagos tortoise and the Wallace's giant bee, several animals that we thought had been lost forever were found alive and well. Add on to that some happy news about tiger conservation and we have reason to hope that 2020 could be an even brighter one for animals around the world.
Here's hoping that it's a great year for all of you, too. See you in 2020!
Happy New Year!
