It's no secret that 2017 was pretty much a total, constant, raging dumpster fire of misery for us all. The orange xenophobe officially took office, natural disasters struck one after the other, acts of unthinkable terror plagued nations near and far, and... well, you get the picture. You were there for it all.
But we survived it. Broken, divided, spirits crushed, tripping over the finish line... but we made it. I really don't know how, but I have to believe that it's in some part due to these small victories of compassion, humor, solidarity, and joy that weaseled their way between the pervasive ugliness of 2017.
1. January 1st: the Hollywood sign gets changed to "Hollyweed"
All thanks to Zachary Cole Fernandez, a true American icon.
2. January 21st: Women's March
Did y'all know you witnessed the largest organized protest in U.S. history?
3. January 27th: lawyers set up shop in airports across the country to offer pro bono services for detainees affected by Trump's travel ban
No human being is illegal. Check out what you can do to help those affected by the Muslim ban here.
4. March 7th: 'Fearless Girl' statue appears in front of Wall Street's 'Charging Bull'
Legendary. At least, it was legendary until we found out the firm that built the statue was underpaying their black and female executives. Nevertheless, karma kicked their asses. Their publicity is what got them exposed and they paid for their discrimination with $5 million of settlements.
5. March 30th: Manatees are taken off endangered species list
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service bumped manatees down from "endangered" to "threatened." Still not great, but progress nonetheless for the magnificent sea cow.
6. April 21st: Britain goes 24 hours without burning coal
Britain's first day without coal since the Industrial Revolution.
7. June 4th: One Love Manchester concert
In the wake of the Manchester bombing at an Ariana Grande concert, artists banded together to combat hate with music, love, and unity.
8. Beyonce has twins - June 13th
Queen Bey blessed the hive with not one, but two more offspring this year. A world with more Knowles DNA is a better world.
9. July 8th: 80 people form human chain in Panama City to save swimmers caught by a rip current
I mean... if there's a way to not cry while watching the video, please let me know what it is.
10. August 21st: Total Solar Eclipse
Which also brought us this gem of a photo. "If you're a raging white nationalist and you know it, clap your hands...and/or stare directly into the solar eclipse!"
11. September 27th: Saudi Arabia lifts ban on women driving
This won't take effect until June 2018, but the lifting of Saudi Arabia's ban on licensing women is a huge step toward equality for Saudi women. Here's to more progress in 2018!
12. October 1st: Jonathan Smith helps save 30 people in the Las Vegas shooting
Father and hero Jonathan Smith didn't hesitate to jump into action to save the lives of dozens the night of the Las Vegas shooting, taking a bullet to the neck in the process.
13. October 8th: Harvey Weinstein gets fired
Since early October, over 80 women have courageously come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against Harvey Weinstein. The scandal inspired the viral #MeToo movement and has begun to fracture Hollywood's longstanding history of sweeping sexual harassment under the rug.
14. October 27th: 'Stranger Things 2' premieres on Netflix
Everyone's favorite Netflix original returned for its second season, bringing us a much-needed escape from reality into the Upside Down. It also introduced us to Momâ„¢ Steve, the true hero of 2017.
15. November 7th: Virginia elects Danica Roem, the first openly-transgender legislator in U.S. history
And to make it even better, she took the place of an unapologetic homophobe who was fighting against trans rights. Oh, karma. You taste SO sweet.
16. December 7th: Australia legalizes same-sex marriage
Love won by a landslide in the country's vote on marriage equality, making Australia the 26th country to recognize same-sex marriage.
17. December 14th: 'Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi' opens in theaters
If anything can inspire the hope our world so desperately needs right now, it's a Star Wars movie? "That's how we're going to win. Not fighting what we hate. Saving what we love."