2016 has no doubt been a wild year. This year has had a lot of events that we’d all like to move past, but 2016 still had some positives. Here are some of the best and worst events of 2016.
Celebrity deaths
We’ll start out with some of the worst of the year. 2016 hit hard with all of the celebrity deaths throughout the year, including David Bowie, Prince, Leonard Cohen, Muhammad Ali, Gene Wilder, and Alan Rickman. We lost so many greats in 2016.
The Presidential Election
I think everyone can agree that this election year was eventful, to say the least. We ended the election season on a low note, with Donald Trump being elected president.
Harambe
This gorilla became famous after he was shot and killed by the Cincinnati Zoo staff after the gorilla dragged a boy who fell into his enclosure. To make this even worse, an estimated 11,000 people used their vote for Harambe in the presidential election.
The Orlando Shooting
A gunman opened fire in Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, killing 49 people and injuring 53, making it the worst mass shooting in the US.
Brexit
In June, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. Depending on who you talk to, this decision could either be good or bad. Despite the opinions, this decision did not fail to make headlines.
Leonardo DiCaprio
On a lighter note, Leonardo DiCaprio finally won an Oscar in 2016 after being nominated 4 other times since 1994.
The Nobel Prize
In October, Bob Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, showing his genius in songwriting. He sent a statement accepting the honor, which was read at a banquet in Stockholm, but did not show up to receive the prize in literature— we wouldn’t expect anything less from Bob Dylan.
The Chicago Cubs
In November, the Chicago Cubs won their first World Series in 108 years.
Standing Rock
It was a victory for The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe after months of protest: the US army decides it will not allow the pipeline to be built in North Dakota. Many showed support and dedication in the protests against the oil pipeline, and the decision in December was a win for Native Americans, environmental activists, and everyone who withstood harsh weather, tear gas, arrests, and rubber bullets while protesting.
2016 had its highs and lows. Overall, I think it’s safe to say that everyone would like to move on from the events of 2016 and hope for a better 2017.
