Throughout the past four years, ETHS and the world at large have changed in innumerable ways. While no timeline could ever truly encapsulate all the events that have defined the past four years, there were a few that stuck out culturally, politically and socially.
Freshman
Lockdown—December 16, 2021
ETHS experienced a school wide lock down on Thursday Dec. 16 as a result of marijuana and two guns possessed by students within the school. After over two hours of lockdown, students were released home to spend the last week before winter break with e-learning.
Russian invasion of Ukraine—February 4, 2022
In early Feb. 2022, Russia began an invasion of Ukraine. What followed was years of airstrikes and war throughout the region, becoming a contentious topic of discussion in both day to day life and ETHS classes.
Statewide Indoor Mask Mandate Lifted—February 28, 2022
Feb. 2022 also saw the official lift of the indoor mask mandate in Illinois. This shift came after years of masks and other personal protective equipment being required for all in-person contact, leading to a drastic change in the way school and social life alike was led.
Chris Rock slap—March 27, 2022
Pop culture also affected the class of 2025. At the 2022 Oscars, actor Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock after his joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s alopecia. The slap sparked weeks of discussion and divided public opinion about accountability and boundaries within celebrity culture.
Roe v. Wade overturned—June 24, 2022
On June 24, 2022 the landmark healthcare case Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court. The Roe decision protected the right to an abortion at the federal level for over 50 years, a right that was pushed down to the state level after the Dobbs v. Jackson’s Health Organization decision.
Ketanji Brown Jackson on Supreme Court—June 30, 2022
On June 30, 2022, Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in as the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court, succeeding Justice Stephen Breyer. Her appointment was confirmed by a 53–47 Senate vote after former President Joe Biden’s nomination and marked a milestone for diversity within the Court, making her one of four female justices in American history.
Sophomore
Queen Elizabeth dies—September 8, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II died on Sep. 8, 2022, at age 96, ending her 70-year reign as Britain’s longest-serving monarch. Her death resulted in global discussions on the monarchy and brought on a state of mourning for the only British queen most living people had ever known.
World Cup—November 20, 2022
From Nov. 20 to Dec. 18, 2022, the Men’s FIFA World Cup was held in Qatar. Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, emerged victorious against France in the final. However, much of the joy of the event was overshadowed by reports of migrant workers enduring perilous conditions while constructing the stadiums. The reports shocked many and drew the public eye to a darker side of major events.
ChatGPT launches—November 30, 2022
ChatGPT launched to the public in Nov. 2022. It quickly gained popularity for its quick, mostly accurate responses. Its release reshaped industries like education and customer service while simultaneously raising concerns about misinformation, job disruption, and overall ethical AI use.
Eras tour—March 17, 2023
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour began in March 2023 as a celebration of her entire music career, drawing massive global audiences. It had a major economic impact on cities it visited, landing Swift the title of Times Person of the Year for 2023.
Writers strike begins—May 2, 2023
From May 2 to Sept. 27, 2023, over 11,000 screenwriters represented by the Writers Guild of America went on strike, protesting for better treatment and a greater share of earnings. In July, the Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists joined the strike, adding 16,000 workers.
Junior
Oceangate submarine sinking—June 18, 2023
On June 18, 2023, the OceanGate Titan submersible imploded during a dive to the Titanic wreck, killing all five passengers aboard. The sub lost communication an hour and a half into its descent, and wreckage was found near the Titanic site. The tragedy raised conversation about the wealthy elite and was trending across social media for weeks.
Barbenheimer—July 21, 2023
On July 21, 2023 two heavily anticipated movies were released on the same day: Oppenheimer and the Barbie Movie. The inherent comedy of comparing the two heavily different movies resulted in countless social media discussions and jokes, eventually leading to both movies having a surge in box office success.
Hamas attacks—October 7, 2023
The Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing over 1,200 people. Israel responded with airstrikes and a ground invasion of Gaza, leading to massive casualties and a humanitarian crisis. The conflict has yet to end, and has sparked global debates on human rights, international law, and the future of the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Demolition of Ryan Field begins—January 29, 2024
The demolition of Northwestern University’s Ryan Field caused a divide amongst Evanston residents, with many concerned about the noise and environmental factors that may come with implementing a new, larger stadium. Despite these issues, the new $850 million stadium, expected by 2026, promises long-term economic benefits, though residents remain wary of increased traffic and other event-related disruptions.
Senior
Bell to bell, no cell is first implemented for summer classes—summer 2024
ETHS first implemented the “Bell to Bell, no Cell” policy for classes in the summer of 2024. The policy mandates that all students store their phones in designated pouches for the entirety of the class period. The initiative aims to reduce distractions in the hope of bettering the classroom both intellectually and socially. Many students had concerns about the policy, fearing an inability to contact families in case of an emergency and a lack of personal freedoms and responsibilities.
Paris Olympics—July 26, 2024
The Paris Olympics, officially the 2024 Summer Olympics, were held in Paris from July 26 to August 11 and featured over 10,000 athletes from around the world who competed in 32 sports. The games saw a return to the schedule for the Olympics after the Tokyo games were postponed a year due to COVID-19.
Liam Payne dies—October 16, 2024
On Oct. 16, 2024, former One Direction star Liam Payne tragically died at 31. For many young fans, it was the first loss of a beloved childhood figure.
Presidential election—November 5, 2024
The 2024 U.S. presidential election was held on November 5 and resulted in Donald Trump defeating Kamala Harris to return to the White House. Trump won both 312 electoral votes and the popular vote, becoming the first president since Grover Cleveland to serve non-consecutive terms.
Finals come back at ETHS—2024-2025 school year
For the 2024-2025 school year, ETHS brought back final exams after years without them since the COVID-19 pandemic. The return of finals was meant to help prepare students for life post-high school and saw overall positive feedback.
TikTok ban—January 18, 2025
The TikTok ban in the U.S. was caused by a law passed in April 2024, requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. operations due to security concerns over data access by the Chinese government. TikTok is fighting the law, claiming it violates free speech, but the U.S. Supreme Court upheld it in January 2025. As of May 2025, TikTok is still available in the U.S. while the ownership issue is being worked out.
President Donald Trump signs Executive Order “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing”—January 20, 2025
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14151, titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.” This order mandates the elimination of all federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The order has been implemented throughout federal agencies, leading to significant changes in governmental and local operations. The college admissions process is one such factor that may be heavily impacted by the order
Resurgence of ice bucket challenge—March 2025
The Ice Bucket Challenge, originally launched in 2014 to raise awareness and funds for ALS, experienced a resurgence in 2025. This revival was initiated by the University of South Carolina’s student group MIND through the #SpeakYourMIND campaign, which aims to spotlight mental health awareness. Participants engage by dousing themselves with ice water and tagging their friends to do the same across social media platforms.
Evanston mayoral election—April 1, 2025
In the April 1, 2025, Evanston mayoral election, incumbent Daniel Biss was re-elected, defeating challenger Jeff Boarini with 62% of the vote. Major focuses of the election include education and urban development. Many students in the class of 2025 were able to cast their votes for the first time in this election.
Pope dies—April 21, 2025
Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 due to a stroke and cardiac arrest. Francis was known for his outreach to youth and progressive views.
