To say the least, it’s been a pretty rough year to be alive on Planet Earth. Great Britain’s leaving the E.U., the American people are at odds in the aftermath of a historic election, natural disasters, political conflict and violence fill our television screens—we might as well just mark this as the worst year in documented history, right? Wrong. Here’s a few reminders of the good that 2016 has done.

 

The Olympics Reminded Us Of What Power It Can Have On Global Relations

Even if just for a few days. Between the IOC's decision to support a refugee Olympic team and moments like when South Korean gymnast Lee Eun-Ju took a selfie with her North Korean competitor, Hong Un-Jong, the Olympics showed once again that just for a few weeks, friendly sport can unite a divided world.

Standing With Standing Rock Actually Paid Off

The Department of the Army announced yesterday that they would not approve plans for the Dakota Pipeline that would go through North Dakota's Standing Rock Sioux tribe's land. The pipeline will instead be rerouted to avoid the land. The political pressure of protesters highly influenced the decision, showing that speaking out on issues can have a real impact.

Bob Dylan Won A Nobel Prize In Literature 

The Nobel Prize Committee's decision to award the musician the prize has elevated songwriting to an artform comparative with poetry.

Prince George Met President Obama In A Bathrobe

It's a well known fact that President Obama with kids is a recipe for cuteness, but Prince George meeting the l i t e r a l POTUS in PJs and a bathrobe was just the best.

Georgia governor Nathan Deal vetoed 'religious liberty' bill

In a region of the United States that has bred the likes of the North Carolina Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act and Kentucky Judge Kim Davis, Georgia governor Nathan Deal blocked an anti-LGBT 'religious liberty' bill that came to his desk earlier this year. Score one for progress in a conservative South!

Hoverboards Stopped Being A Thing

Just admit, everyone is SO glad that fad is over.

Frank Ocean FINALLY Dropped His Album

And bonus!!! It was a visual album. Speaking of visual albums, Lemonade happened. Thanks 2016, that was super cool of you.

Leonardo DiCaprio FINALLY Got His Oscar

We lost a precious meme, but we gained a profound joy for a guy who just really deserved an Oscar.

The Cubs FINALLY Won A World Series

I had a friend cry tears of joy for the first time in years because her team finally won the World Series. When was the last time anything made you that happy? The Cubs did that, and more importantly, the Cubs did that in 2016.

And finally…

USC FINALLY got a Quarterback that gets the job done

The Trojan Family's smelling roses, and we would never have imagined it with a 1-3 start to the season. Thanks Sam Darnold and thanks 2016.