"It's pretty rare to be able to point to a single day that transformed the whole world," writes Sam Baker at Axios. But it's safe to say that March 11, 2020, qualifies. That's because, exactly four years ago on Monday, "society began to shut down," writes David Leonhardt in the New York Times. The two outlets are among many marking what's considered the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The day: On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic. It also happens to be the day that Tom Hanks informed the world he'd tested positive, and when the NBA canceled the rest of its season.