The Berkeley community experienced a widespread return to in person in 2021 — as did many parts of the world. From football games and music festivals to lectures, UC Berkeley students and city residents alike were able to look beyond their Zoom meetings, physically attending large gatherings and resuming daily life as we once knew it.

Beyond the tremendous strides made toward combating the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 was a year of activism in Berkeley. Whether it was protesting against racial injustice or rising up against housing inequality, the city displayed its commitment to securing basic human rights and dignity for all. In terms of the campus community, 2021 was also a monumental year in ways that hit closer to home — The Daily Californian celebrated its 150th anniversary, and the Cal Bears triumphed at the Big Game, bringing the Axe back to Berkeley.

For whichever memory you treasure most, the photographers of the Daily Cal have been with us every step of the way, and we hope that this photo essay serves as a satisfying recap of the year and gives closure to some of the most momentous and inspiring events of 2021.

– Connor Lin, Lisi Ludwig and Theo Wyss-Flamm