Watch the "2020 in 20 Minutes" video recap in the player above.
INDIANAPOLIS — The history books will undoubtedly have no shortage of things to discuss when it comes to 2020.
It was an unprecedented year for everyone.
The COVID-19 pandemic challenged and changed almost everything we did in Central Indiana and across the globe.
The COVID-19 pandemic
On March 6, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and state officials announced the state's first case of COVID-19. As of Sunday, more than 464,00 positive cases have been reportedin the state.
Schools and universities switched to remote learning by March 12.
On March 16, the first COVID-19 death in Indiana was announced. As of Sunday, more than 7,000 Hoosiers have died of COVID-19. Many of these deaths have been residents inside long-term care facilities and nursing homes.
Restaurants and businesses began making changes to help keep people safe. Restaurant owners were adjusting their dining rooms, curbside and delivery programs, and business plans to try to stay open. Unfortunately for some, the pandemic brought on unsustainable challenges.
On July 29, students and teachers at Avon Community Schools were some of the first to return to the classroom in the state since switching to virtual learning in the spring.
Businesses, organizations, agencies, and neighbors came together to help one another rebound during the pandemic.
And on Dec. 14, the first COVID-19 vaccine was administered in the state.
The protests
After the deaths of Dreasjon Reed, McHale Rose, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others, people began protesting to make their voices heard.
In May, protests began at 62nd Street and Michigan Road after Reed was fatally shot by an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer. Protests continued after two more deadly incidents involving police.
At the end of May and beginning of June, protesters gathered in large numbers in downtown Indianapolis, using their voices to fight for change.
On some days, peaceful protests turned into violent demonstrations at night.
But the community continued to come together. Religious, elected, and community leaders were joined by hundreds who were still fighting for changes.
The protests weren't just happening in Indianapolis. Protests were also organized in Mooresville, Fishers, Bloomington, and Carmel.
The moments that inspired us
While 2020 had its negatives, there were plenty of moments of inspiration.
In February, Mitch Navarre and three other good Samaritans helped rescue a truck driver after a crash and explosion that set the interstate on fire.
“I heard some people say, ‘You’re gonna die together,’" Navarre said. "As they said that, I said to that guy, ‘I’m going to get you out. As I was coming out, everybody was saying I was a hero. I said, no, I was a human first."
Food pantries, including some in Fountain Square and the west side, stepped up their efforts to help people.
The community and first responders came out to hospitals to show their support for the heroes on the frontlines of the pandemic.
This year we rushed into action to help rescue those inside a burning house and IMPD officers helped rescue teens trapped in a car submerged in a pond.
Nurses donated plasma after recovering from COVID-19 to help others.
And so many more stories. We worked together to help our neighbors who needed it most.
Election 2020
This year Hoosiers turned out to the polls in record numbers to vote in the 2020 election.
On the first day of early voting, people waited in long lines across the state to cast their ballot. Some waited in lines for as long as eight hours just to vote.
A record-setting 3 million Hoosiers voted in the election.
Remembering those we lost
It was a record-setting deadly year for Indianapolis. Cities across the state and nation also saw an increase in deadly incidents.
In Indianapolis, more than 230 people have been killed in homicides so far this year.
On Feb. 5, four people between the ages of 19 and 21 were killed in a quadruple homicide.
Indianapolis marked its 100th homicide of the year on June 13. And 200th homicide on Oct. 27.
On April 9, IMPD Officer Breann Leath was shot and killed in the of duty. On Nov. 14, Indianapolis Fire Department Engineer Matthew Bennett died after complaining of chest pains after arriving at a structure collapse call.
And people in cities and towns throughout the state died in crashes, shootings, stabbings, and violent incidents. They were Hoosiers too.
