We had C and C++ for a long time, and never managed to replace them. We created higher level languages (Haskell, Go, Java) as a mitigation but they never really succeeded in that domain.
Instead, they found they own favorite tasks, and are used for it. We now have better tools for other tasks, but C and C++ are still untouched.
Then arrived Rust. Something really low level. Something that is compatible with C, can do what C does, but better, safer, easier to write. Something with a terrific community improving the language at an amazing pace.
But what surprise me the most is the professional attitude of rust designers. They are pragmatic, but promote best practices. They don't get in the heat of the moment, but are passionate. They listen to the community and yet maintain a coherent design. They are working meticulously and are very productive.
Those are usually opposite qualities, you only see them joined in attitude of masters of some sort.
That is amazing to witness.
P.S: I think you need to know at least one very high level language, one very low, and one specialized in some task if you want to have versatility in your tool-belt.
I used to recommend Python, C, and one among Go/Erlang/JS/Java/Swift depending of your tasks.
I think it's time to recommend beginners to learn rust before C (although I recommend Python before rust). I hope that C will become to the new generation, what assembly is to us.