Now that classes have started, it is time to say goodbye to summer. The warmest months of 2018 were filled with events that influenced the world, the nation and our community.

It’s hard to keep up with the news, especially with so many groundbreaking stories constantly emerging. Freshman Erik Godoy recounts that for him, the most important event of the summer was France’s remarkable defeat of Croatia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which took place in Russia. When asked about a summer highlight, sophomores Cendy Saldaña and Brianna Mathelier responded in unison: “The royal wedding.”

With these events in mind, let’s take a look at some of the other events that defined this summer:

1. Elimination of the Miss America swimsuit competition

Since 1921, the swimsuit competition has been a crucial part of the Miss America beauty pageant. However, on June 5 the Miss America Organization announced that it would no longer require contestants to compete in its bikini competition. The organization made such changes to emphasize gender equality and redefine what the pageant stands for in this new, female-empowered era.

2. Kate Spade’s suicide

On June 5, world-renowned fashion designer Kate Spade was found dead in her New York City apartment. NYPD found a suicide note on the scene that was addressed to her daughter and also mentioned her husband, Andy Spade.

3. “The Band’s Visit” wins a Tony Award for Best Musical

“The Band’s Visit” is a musical based on an Israeli film about an Egyptian orchestra stranded in a desert town in the southern part of Israel. The musical was nominated for a total of 11 awards, winning 10. Some of these awards include Best Book of a Musical, Best Lighting Design of a Musical and Best Original Score.

4. President Trump shakes hands with Kim Jong-un

On June 11, President Trump met with the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, in Singapore and shook hands with him. This encounter was the beginning of a nuclear summit between the United States and North Korea.

5. “Incredibles 2” breaks box office record

“Incredibles 2,” a Disney-Pixar animated film about a family of superheroes—and a sequel to the 2004 “The Incredibles”—was released on June 15. It earned over $180 million in ticket sales in North America during its opening weekend, and it’s now the highest grossing animated film in the U.S, according to Box Office Mojo.

6. Trump signs executive order to end family separation

On June 20, President Trump succumbed to political pressure and signed an executive order preventing the separation of families arrested for illegally crossing the Southwest border.

7. New York Representative Joseph Crowley is defeated in primary election

On June 26, Joseph Crowley, a New York representative and 10-term incumbent, was defeated by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a 28-year-old politician and activist of Puerto Rican descent, in the primary election for New York’s 14th Congressional District.

8. Attack at Capital Gazette leaves five dead, two injured

On June 28 in Annapolis, Maryland a man armed with a shotgun and smoke grenades stormed into the newsroom of the Capital Gazette, a local newspaper, killing five staff members and injuring two others. Police arrested 38-year-old Jarrod W. Ramos, who was charged with five counts of first-degree murder. Ramos was said to have a history of conflict with the Capital Gazette.

9. Trump administration starts trade war with China

President Trump imposed $34 billion worth of tariffs on products imported from China on July 5. This action is in response to an investigation done by the Office of the United States Trade Representative that found China’s trade of technology and intellectual property to the United States unfair. The Trump administration announced on Aug. 8 that the U.S. will impose a 25% tariff on another $16 billion worth of Chinese goods on Aug. 23, according to Business Insider. As a response, the Chinese government announced that they will be imposing the same tariff on $16 billion worth of U.S. goods on the same day.

10. Trump nominates Judge Brett Kavanaugh to Supreme Court

On July 9, President Trump nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh, a United States circuit judge, to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy’s seat on the Supreme Court. Kennedy retired on July 31.

11. 12 boys rescued from a cave in Thailand after 18 days

On June 23, 12 young soccer players and their coach in Thailand were trapped in a flooded cave. After 18 days, they were rescued. The only casualty that resulted from the rescue was Saman Gunan, a former Thai Navy Seal who volunteered to help in the rescue and lost his life after delivering supplies to the trapped group.

12. 17 people killed on tourist boat in Missouri

On July 19, a tourist boat capsized in a lake near Branson, Missouri due to a series of thunderstorms. A total of 17 people were killed.

13. Dead body found in New Rochelle armory

On July 27, a woman’s body was found on the grounds of the former New Rochelle Naval Armory. The New Rochelle Police arrested Jose Olmos just one day later for second-degree murder in relation to the crime.

14. Death of Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin, known as the Queen of Soul, died on Aug. 16 at her home in Detroit. She was 76. Throughout her career, Franklin won 18 Grammy Awards and was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

15. Death of Senator John McCain

Senator John McCain died on Aug. 25 after a long battle with brain cancer. McCain served as a U.S. senator for over 30 years and was a prisoner of war for over five years during the Vietnam War. McCain’s death mirrors that of former Senator Ted Kennedy, who died on Aug. 25, 2009 of the same brain cancer.