2015

2015 was a landmark year for the "personal essay," characterized by deep, often harrowing reflections on identity, trauma, and systemic issues

But 2015 was also a year of mourning. In November, the world watched in horror as terrorists coordinated attacks across Paris, including the Bataclan theatre massacre. The attacks killed 130 people and led to a massive shift in European security and refugee policy. 2015 was a landmark year for the "personal

However, 2015 was also the year of the "Mad Max: Fury Road" miracle. George Miller’s post-apocalyptic opus stunned critics and audiences alike, winning six Academy Awards and being hailed as one of the greatest action films ever made. Alongside it, The Martian brought hard sci-fi back to Earth, Inside Out proved Pixar could still make adults weep, and Jurassic World reminded us that dinosaurs are forever bankable. Refugee Crisis : The year saw a massive

Politics and World Events

• Refugee Crisis: The year saw a massive influx of refugees into Europe, primarily from Syria, due to the ongoing civil war. This crisis tested the unity and policies of European countries.
• Paris Climate Agreement: In December 2015, the Paris Climate Agreement was signed by 196 countries, aiming to reduce global warming and mitigate the effects of climate change.
• Iran Nuclear Deal: The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or the Iran nuclear deal, was concluded in July 2015. This agreement aimed to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions.

): Technically a radio essay, this deep reporting on school desegregation in Missouri won a Peabody Award for its unflinching look at educational inequality. Themes in 2015 Writing Personal Vulnerability ): Technically a radio essay, this deep reporting

Polio Eradication: Africa celebrated a full year without a single naturally occurring case of polio.

[Insert graph showing global temperature anomalies]