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2022 Year in Review
Here's a look back at some of the biggest news stories of the year.
A Royal Farewell
The world said goodbye to one of its best-known leaders this year. Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom died on September 8, at age 96. She reigned for 70 years, longer than any other British monarch. Elizabeth ruled the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Following the queen’s death, her oldest son took over the throne. Prince Charles of Wales is now King Charles III, although he won’t officially be crowned until May 6, 2023.
Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images
Storm Slams Florida
Jim McMahon/Mapman®
On September 28, one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. slammed into Florida. Hurricane Ian made landfall with winds of 150 miles per hour. The storm tore a path of destruction through the state over the next two days before continuing on to South Carolina and North Carolina.
Ian brought heavy rains and widespread flooding. Storm surges along coastal areas of Florida reached as high as 14 feet. The storm dumped more than 12 inches of rain on Orlando, Florida, in a single day.
The hurricane caused more than 130 deaths. Thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed across the region. Hundreds of thousands of people had to evacuate, and more than 5 million households lost electricity.
Steve Helber/AP Images
A woman walks through her flooded neighborhood in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 29.
1. What are three facts you can learn about the British monarchy from the section “A Royal Farewell”?
2. Choose one person named in the article. Explain why this person made headlines in 2022.
3. Why do you think the author writes that Hurricane Ian “slammed into” Florida? What does this phrase tell you about the storm?
