January
After his election victory in November 2016, Donald Trump became President of the USA on January 20. His inauguration ceremony was met with widespread protests across the country.
Much was said about the size of crowd at the ceremony in comparison to Barack Obama’s inaugurations.
Photos: the crowd at Donald Trump’s inauguration vs. Barack Obama’s https://t.co/zA3nRJeu0C pic.twitter.com/yu2KFZYv95
— Vox (@voxdotcom) January 20, 2017
Then Press Secretary Sean Spicer said it “was the largest audience ever to witness an inauguration, period, both in person and around the globe” – which it turned out to be completely untrue.
The day after, a worldwide protest took place over women’s rights, immigration and other important issues.
Many of the Women’s March rallies were aimed at the new Trump administration, with hundreds of thousands descending on Washington DC to make their voices heard.
Footballers David Goodwillie and David Robertson were ruled as rapists by a judge on January 17. They were ordered to pay £100,000 in damages after being sued by victim Denise Clair.
February
In sport, Mark Warburton resigned as Rangers manager on February 10.
Feburary 11 saw North Korea launch a ballistic missile into the sea off its coast in the first of several weapons tests this year.
On February 26 there was a high profile gaffe at The Oscars as Warren Beaty wrongly announced that La La Land had won best movie, when in fact it was Moonlight.
March
Nicola Sturgeon announced on March 13 that she would be seeking permission for a second independence referendum, to be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.
She said the move was required to protect Scottish interests in the wake of Brexit.
Terror hit London in the Westminster Bridge attack on March 22.
Five people were killed as an attacker drove his car into pedestrians before getting out and stabbing a police officer to death.
On March 28, the Scottish Parliament voted in favour of a second independence referendum by 69 to 59. Article 50, signalling the start of the UK’s exit from the EU, was triggered the next day.
Earlier in the month, Theresa May said that ‘now is not the time’ for Indy Ref 2.
April
One For Arthur became the second Scottish trained horse to win the Grand National at Aintree on April 8.
Theresa May announced on April 18 that she intended to call a snap general election, which was approved in parliament later that month.
The next scheduled poll had been set for 2020 before May made the shock decision.
The boxing world was enthralled by Anthony Joshua’s win over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley on April 29th.
May
May 4 saw Scots go to the polls in local council elections. The vote saw Labour lose overall control of Glasgow City Council for the first time in more than three decades, toppled by the SNP.
On May 15, one of the UK’s most notorious killers, Ian Brady, died at Ashworth psychiatric hospital. His cremated remains were buried at sea in October.
On May 28, Celtic’s Invincibles completed the treble, remaining unbeaten in domestic competition all season.
Britain was hit by its deadliest terror attack since 2005 after a bomber targeted fans at an Ariana Grande concert in the Manchester Arena. 23 people, including the attacker, were killed in the blast with over 500 people injured.
Ten of the victims were under 20, including 14-year-old Eilidh MacLeod from Barra. Her body was brought back to the island in an emotional funeral in June.
June
With Britain on high terror alert, another attack hit London on June 3. In a similar incident to that on Westminster Bridge earlier in the year, eight people were killed and 48 injured after a van crashed into pedestrians and its three occupants launched knife attacks on people in the nearby surroundings.
The next day, an emotional concert organised by Ariana Grande took place in Manchester to honour the victims of the bombing at her concert.
Stars including Robbie Williams, Miley Cyrus, Liam Gllagher and Ariana herself took to the stage in a moving tribute to those who had been affected by the attack.
On June 8, the UK went to the polls. Late night projections predicted a hung parliament, with Theresa May’s plan to increase her majority backfiring.
A Labour surge under Jeremy Corbyn saw the Tories lose their parliamentary majority, while still remaining the largest party.
The SNP lost 21 seats, including those of big names Alex Salmond and Angus Robertson.
It left May relying on the DUP to bolster her government.
A devastating blaze tore through London’s Grenfell Tower in the early hours of June 14, causing 71 deaths.
The fire led to checks on cladding used on high rises across the country, while the Prime Minister was criticised for ‘lacking empathy’ in the aftermath.
On June 19, a van was driven into pedestrians near Finsbury Park Mosque in London. At least eight people were injured.
Nicola Sturgeon told Holyrood on June 27 that her plans for an independence referendum would be temporarily put on hold, but later said that another vote would ‘likely’ be held before 2021.
Six people were charged on June 28 for criminal offences relating to the Hillsborough disaster of 1989.
July
The first ever TRNSMT festival took place on Glasgow Green over the first weekend of the month. Radiohead, Kasabian and Biffy Clyro headlined the three-day event.
On July 4, Rangers crashed out of the Europa League after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Progres Niederkorn of Luxembourg, a result considered by many as the worst in their history.
After a widespread campaign and debates over the best interests of Charlie Gard, the severely ill baby died on July 28. The case attracted attention from across the world, including offers of help from President Trump.
Charlie’s parents had wanted to try experimental treatment in the US, with courts supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital’s position that further treatment would be futile and prolong suffering.
August
Far-right white nationalists gathered in Charlottesville, USA on August 11 for a mass rally and were met by anti-fascist counter protestors. A state of emergency was declared as violence flared, and a woman was killed by a car that rammed into anti-racism protestors.
Big Ben fell silent for repairs on August 21, with the bell not expected to chime again until 2021.
In late August, parts of the US were battered by Hurricane Harvey, with thousands seeing their homes damaged.
On August 26, semi-retired boxer Floyd Mayweather defeated UFC star Conor McGregor in a boxing match worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Queensferry Crossing opened to traffic on August 30, before being closed for the following weekend to allow 50,000 people to walk across. It was officially opened by The Queen on September 4.
September
There was more bad weather in the US, with southern states feeling the full force of Hurricane Irma at the beginning of the month.
The Sunday Post revealed the harrowing story of the children of Smyllum Park orphanage on September 10. Our investigation found that up to 400 children had been buried in an unmarked grave, with several allegations of abuse against the nuns who ran the Lanarkshire home.
On September 14, it was announced that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were expecting their third child.
September 15 saw thirty people injured in an explosion at Parsons Green tube station in London, caused by a crude ‘bucket bomb’.
October
58 people were killed and 546 injured in a shooting in Las Vegas on October 1. Gunman Stephen Paddock fired more than 1,100 rounds from his suite into a crowd of concertgoers, before shooting himself.
Monarch Airlines went into administration on October 2, forcing many holidaymakers to change their plans.
October 4 was a humiliating day for Theresa May after a series of mishaps hit her speech at the Tory party conference.
The address went from bad to worse as the PM struggled with a tickly cough and was then handed a fake P45 by prankster Simon Brodkin who had found his way into the front row of the auditorium.
Letters from the display behind the faltering PM then started to fall down.
Allegations of sexual harassment spanning decades against film mogul Harvey Weinstein were published in The New York Times on October 5, with actresses Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd among those sharing their stories.
The revelations paved the way for numerous high-profile men being held to account for lewd behaviour and sexual assaults.
Gordon Strachan left his post as Scotland manager on October 12.
The round pound coin ceased to be legal tender on October 15.
Pedro Caixinha’s time in charge at Rangers ended on October 26, with the Portuguese manager sacked after a number of poor results.
After a referendum deemed illegal by the Spanish government, the ruling party of Catalonia declared independence on October 27. As voters headed to the polls, there were accusations of police violence, with many polling stations raided. 92% had voted yes.
Actor Kevin Spacey became the latest name to face accusations of sexual assault and harassment on October 29. As a result, he was cut from new film All the Money in the World and production on Netflix’s House of Cards was suspended. Spacey stated that he would be seeking “evaluation and treatment” for his behaviour.
November
Sir Michael Fallon resigned as defence secretary on November 1 after allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
Another member of Theresa May’s cabinet lost their job on November 8. Priti Patel was summoned from a trip to Kenya for showdown talks over undisclosed meetings in Israel.
Her flight home to face the music was tracked by thousands online and followed by TV cameras.
On November 15, the Supreme Court backed Scottish Government plans to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol, dismissing an appeal by the Scotch Whisky Association and others.
Richard Leonard became Scottish Labour leader on November 18, beating Anas Sarwar in the leadership election.
© Kris Miller/DC ThomsonJust a day later, the headlines were stolen by former leader Kezia Dugdale’s participation in reality TV show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule of Zimbabwe ended with his resignation on November 21.
Billy Connolly celebrated his 75th birthday on November 24. The Big Yin had been honoured earlier in the year with a number of murals around Glasgow.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement on November 25.
December
The start of December saw Storm Caroline hit the UK, with travel disrupted and schools closed across Scotland.
Joe McFadden became the first Scot to win Strictly Come Dancing on December 16.
Celtic’s 69-game unbeaten run in domestic competition was brought to an end on December 17 at Tynecastle. 16-year-old Harry Cochrane was among the goalscorers in a 4-0 win for Hearts.
On December 18, two people were killed as a fire broke out at Cameron House Hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond.
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