10 Good Things To Happen In 2016 | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

10 Good Things To Happen In 2016

2016 was a wild ride, but we still have a lot to be thankful for.

Katerina Retwaiut
Dec 13, 2016
New Mexico State University
70
10 Good Things To Happen In 2016

2016 was a hectic year. With an election that will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the craziest periods in American history, it's been a ride. I've compiled a list of things that should remind you, no matter your political affiliation, happy things to reflect on during 2016.

1. Giant pandas are no longer endangered

Yay! Humans have made an impact on the environment and animals, so it's exciting to see that our efforts to help the helpless have started to work.


2. We are steps closer to finding the cure to HIV

In the United Kingdom, the first patient to be treated with the new medicinal advancements has shown "remarkable" results in improvement.

3. New women of color were elected to Senate

This is actually also a record of women elected to Senate! We now have an Indian-American senator, a Somali-American Muslim senator, and Vietnamese-American senator to join the already elected Hawaiian senator. Considering the fact that not even one hundred years ago women couldn't vote, and it's amazing that women of color are able to have an influence on our government today.

4. The Ice Bucket Challenge actually made a difference

While popularized in 2015, the gene responsible was found in 2016 and means we are much closer to a cure!

5. Portugal ran on renewable energy for 107 hours straight

It's possible to completely run on renewable energy! We are just steps away from figuring out a way to do this long term, and that helps everybody.

6. 200 people attended a funeral for a World War II veteran that had no known family

After serving in one of the deadliest wars in American history, it's wonderful to see people coming together to honor his efforts.

7. Leonardo DiCaprio finally won an Oscar

The only sad thing to come out of this is the loss of all the memes.

8. The Lizzie McGuire Movie is available on Netflix

This movie deserves an Oscar as much as Leo did pre-2016.

9. India planted 50 million trees in one day

This broke a world record! On average, 2.47 million trees are cut down everyday. We need to everything we can to combat this.

10. Death by heart disease has lessened by 70% in the United States

This is the number one killer of Americans, so maybe we should start thanking Pokemon Go and Michelle Obama's turnips.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

AI music threatens creativity

The Soul of Sound: How AI Challenges Human Expression in Music

237055
Humans and robots face off in a rock band battle with guitars and drums, under dynamic lighting.
StableDiffusion

In an age where artificial intelligence can mimic the voice of Freddie Mercury or reimagine pop hits as synthwave ballads, a new frontier has emerged — one that blurs the line between innovation and erosion. While AI offers undeniable benefits in technical domains, its intrusion into creative arts, especially music, raises urgent questions. Not just about copyright, but about culture, education, and the very soul of artistic expression.


Keep Reading...Show less
ai generated music
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

Miami University
567138
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
music
Entertainment

Why Your Astrological Sign May Not Match Your Personality

We are all more than just one sign.

SUNY Plattsburgh
480253
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
astrology
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

UNC Greensboro
454118
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
spring
Relationships

The Importance Of Being A Good Person

An open letter to the good-hearted people.

Sacred Heart University
718908
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
good person

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments