It seems like everyone, myself included, took some Ls in 2016. The past few weeks have been filled with memes, one-liners, and monologues talking about how 2016 has been the worst year ever. From an exhausting presidential election, a gorilla taking over the internet, and Brangelina’s divorce, it sure does seems like there is no light in the dark. However, while I will agree 2016 was rough, and a bit ridiculous, there were incredible acts taking place too. Here are a few great, funny, and delicious things that happened this year that may have slipped your mind.
1. Leonardo DiCaprio finally won an Oscar
After being the subject of memes for the entirety of 2015, DiCaprio put it all to rest after winning an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in the Revenant.
2. The United States' performance at the 2016 Summer Olympics
The USA came home from Rio with the most gold, silver, and bronze medals out of any other country in the world, with a total of 121.
3. Pokemon Go took over the country and got everyone moving for a solid two weeks
In July, Niantic and Nintendo released an app that requires the player to walk around town to find Pokemon to catch. It set a world record for the most downloaded gaming app in a single month.
4. The Chicago Cubs won the World Series for the first time in 108 years
After a nail-biting seventh game against Cleveland, the Cubs broke their record-winning drought this year when they won their first World Series since 1908.
The city of Cleveland didn't go without this year, being that they took home the championship from the NBA Finals.
5. Hamilton
The show debuted in 2015, but it was really put on the map after winning 11 Tony Awards in 2016. The historical musical immediately captured the hearts of its viewers and in November, it became the first show to break $3 million in its first eight performances. Hamilton is currently sold out through March 2017.
6. Musical Releases
Like every other year, musicians released albums that had us feeling every type of emotion. A few notable ones this year were Beyonce's Lemonade, Kanye West's Life of Pablo, Chance The Rapper's Coloring Book, Green Day's Revolution Radio, Lady Gaga's Joanne, and many many others that I could go on all day about.
In an article about the top 50 albums of the year, Rolling Stone said that "2016 was seemingly hardwired to self-destruct."
7. Tasty videos conquered the internet
Thousands of quick videos with easy recipes for every meal of the day circulated through social media this year, giving everyone the confidence that they can indeed cook something.
8. Internet Challenges
To keep us entertained throughout the year we had the Mannequin Challenge, the Water Bottle Challenge, the No Hands Challenge, and the Running Man Challenge. Thus proving that real people can be heroes (that keep us entertained) too. We also had the 22 Push Up challenge to bring awareness to the rate of veteran suicides.
9. Movies
This year we had TONS of great movies come out, so many that I can't even begin to list them. Although I will say my personal favorite was SING! (Seriously if you haven't gone to see Sing yet, do it, it will make your 2016).
10. A guy proved that mayonnaise is indeed an instrument
11. Netflix now allows offline downloads
Now you can go on a road trip across the country while continuing your Netflix binge of Stranger Things, Orange is the New Black, and whichever other hit you're watching.
Topping us off, because I couldn't help myself...
12. Closer by the Chainsmokers
I don't care how overplayed it is - I STILL LOVE THIS SONG.
These, along with plenty of other events that took place, made up 2016. At times it may have been bad, but maybe it wasn't that bad. I hope the final days of this whirlwind of a year find you in good health and happiness. Happy new year!