I think we can all agree that 2016 pretty much sucked, and we all can't wait to see it go. From losing music legends like Prince, David Bowie, and most recently George Michael, to clowns, to violence and mass shootings, and of course, the election, it's pretty easy to get down. But even though we dwell on the negative, there are actually good things that came from 2016. Here are a few.
1. The Tiger Population Increased
There are now 3,890 tigers, which increased from 3,200 in 2010. This is the first time in at least a century that the tiger population is thriving. This number is expected to be doubled by the World Wildlife Fund.
2. We're One Step Closer to Finding a Cure for ALS
Remember the ALS ice bucket challenge, that went viral a couple summers ago? Well, it turned out to be more helpful than we thought, because the money raised allowed for scientists to discover the gene that is linked to the disease. This is a huge breakthrough in scientific research and means that a cure to ALS is almost here.
3. Solar Power in California
While California has always been more of a 'green' state, this year, California managed to power over 6 million homes with solar power. This is not just a record for the U.S., but also a great achievement period. Hopefully, California will set an example for other states and will eventually lead to a greener country and world.
4. Leonardo DiCaprio Finally Won an Oscar
If you love Leo as much as I do, I'm sure you're glad that he finally won a well-deserved Oscar. Being a versatile actor and starring in movies from Titanic to Inception to The Great Gatsby to Shutter Island, it's about time he won an Academy Award.
5. The Return of Harry Potter
We all missed seeing Harry Potter on the big screen since the last installment was released in 2011. This year, it's finally back. A new movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them premiered this November, which isn't about Harry Potter, but still about the wizarding world. Set in New York City about 70 years before Harry Potter, Newt Scamander, played by Eddie Redmayne, is a wizard who joins the Ministry of Magic in the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. The new book, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, is written in a script form and is about Harry Potter. It serves as a sort-of sequel to the Harry Potter series. Both of these are definitely recommended to those who loved Harry Potter.
6. Finding Dory
Finding Nemo also came back this year in the form of the sequel, Finding Dory. Premiering a whopping 13 years after the first one, this movie is about Dory's long search for her parents. Both young and old alike will enjoy this film, especially those who grew up watching Finding Nemo. Not only is this a long-awaited movie, but it also pulls at the heartstrings and reminds us what life is all about: friendship.
7. La La Land
This film features Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, who play an actress and jazz musician respectively. Told as a musical, the singing and dancing don't disappoint, and the acting is top-notch. Showing us what happens when you chase your dreams, this film is both entertaining and inspiring. This is definitely the best film of 2016, at least in my opinion. Go see it if you haven't!
8. Rio Olympics
The Olympics in Rio this summer was pretty successful, with Team USA bringing home 46 gold, 37 silver, and 38 bronze, for a grand total of 121 medals! The highlight was seeing Michael Phelps race one last time. He won 5 gold medals and one silver medal and ended his amazing Olympic career the right way. I think I'm speaking for everyone when I say I'm going to miss seeing him in the Olympic pool.
9. High School Graduation Rate Reached All-Time High
83 percent of students graduated from high school, which is up from 71 percent. That means almost 100 percent of people in the U.S. graduated from high school! If that's not something to celebrate, I don't know what is.
So there you have it, 9 amazing things that came out of 2016. Even though I'm sure there's more, this proves that while 2016 is still undoubtedly the worst year ever, there are at least some things to be grateful for.
