By: Malena Esposito

Most Memorable Moments of 2016 (You totally forgot about #6)

Ah, 2016, what a year. Filled with celebrity breakups and hilarious memes, most people wished for this year to be over the week after it began. Here’s a list of the most newsworthy things that happened in 2016.

1. The Dab

 

Stop whipping, start dabbing. This dance move was first seen by Migos in the music video, “Look at that Dab” in July last year. Cam Newton then adopted the move a few months later in October to celebrate first downs and touchdowns. Since then, twelve year olds all across America have been sneezing into their elbows.

2. D*** Daniel

This internet sensation was over before you could say “white Vans.” In February, Joshua Holtz posted 30 seconds worth of Snapchat videos of him complimenting his friend, Daniel Lara. Holtz often complimented Lara’s shoes, repeating the phrase “D*** Daniel, back at it again with the white vans,” multiple times throughout the videos. After the two boys appeared on Ellen, Vans gave Daniel a free lifetime supply of Van’s sneakers, which he donated a portion of to the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital in California. In a recent interview with Cosmopolitan, the boys say their lives have mostly gone back to normal, admitting that their meme is dead and another viral video is most likely “not going to happen.”

3. Blurred Mr. Krabs Meme/SpongeGar

Many can relate to this set of memes, used particularly when confused and/or in a state of panic. The Blurred Mr. Krabs meme, created in March, is originally from season two of Spongebob SquarePants. In an episode called “Patty Hype,” Spongebob attempts to create “Pretty Patties.” Mr. Krabs laughs at the idea, but when Spongebob goes off to sell his creation, it becomes a success, angering his boss. The Caveman Spongebob meme was discovered a few months later as a reaction meme. Other than being in a difficult situation, the Caveman Spongebob meme is often used to represent the cavemen inside of us, as our ancestors once were. This version of Spongebob appeared in the very first season of Spongebob Squarepants in an episode titled “SB-129.” Named “Primitive Sponge,” this character is believed to be an ancestor of the Spongebob we know and love, as well as an ancestor of another prehistoric character, “SpongeGar.”

4. When Life Gives You Lemons, Make an Emmy-Award Winning Album

When Beyonce released her first visual album and sixth studio production, “Lemonade,” fans around the world went crazy. Incorporating various genes, such as reggae, R&B, funk, gospel, hip hop, and country, this album has been nominated for 11 VMA, 9 Grammys, and 4 Emmys, proving to be possibly Beyonce’s greatest achievement yet.

5. Views

This past April, the Canadian rapper, Drake, released his fourth studio album entitled “Views.” Originally called “Views from the 6,” the name of this album represents the rapper’s hometown of Toronto, Canada. For thirteen weeks in a row, “Views” was the number one album on the US Billboard 200. “One Dance” was also given Billboard’s Hot 100 number one spot for ten weeks, making it Drake’s first number one single.

6. Chewbacca Mask

She came in for yoga pants and left with a Chewbacca mask and 135 million views on Facebook. Candace Payne took a video of herself in hysterics, laughing at a toy she found at Kohls. The toy was a Chewbacca mask that made his signature growl when the mouth opened. The viral video landed Payne on Good Morning America and a carpool right with late night show host James Corden.

7. #RIPHarambe

What would 2016 be without the death of a famous gorilla? On May 28th, a three-year-old boy climbed into the Gorilla World habitat at the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio. The gorilla was captured on video grabbing and dragging the boy around. Officials made the controversial decision to kill Harambe in fear for the child’s life. But just when you thought Harambe could rest in peace, over 11,000 people voted for him in the write in section of the 2016 Election ballot.

8. The Water Bottle Flipping Challenge

Originating in Charlotte, North Carolina, the water bottle flipping phenomenon was first accomplished by Michael Senorate in his high school’s talent show. Since then, millions have recorded others flipping a half empty bottle, often to the song “Ultimate” by Denzel Curry.

9. Goodbye Talvin, Hello Hiddleswift, wait, nevermind

After 15 months of dating, DJ Calvin Harris and singer Taylor Swift called it quits in early June. It seemed to be a dramaless breakup, a source close to the couple said in a statement to People magazine that “some things just don’t work out.” On June 3rd, Harris tweeted “The only truth here is that a relationship came to an end and what remains is a huge amount of love and support.” Swift then retweeted his tweet. However, a friend of the pop star admitted that Harris felt intimidated by her success, hence why he would only appear to event in which he was also honored. But on June 15th, the plot thickens when Swift was seen frolicking with English actor, Tom Hiddleston in Rhode Island. While Hiddleswift was traveling across Europe, the DJ was spending some time to himself south of the border in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. A month later on July 13th, it was revealed that Taylor Swift wrote Calvin Harris’ hit song, “This is What You Came For,’ featuring Rihanna. Under the pseudonym Nils Sjoberg, Swift wrote lyrics and sang in the single. That same day, Harris released a series of tweets, shading Swift. “I figure if you’re happy in your new relationship you should focus on that instead of trying you tear your ex bf down for something you do,” “I know you’re off tour and need someone new to try to bury like Katy, but I’m not that guy, sorry. I won’t allow it.” were both posted. Then only after three short months of dating, Hiddleswift came to an end in September, making many question the legitimacy of the relationship.

10. Pokemon No

Over the summer, Niantic released a video game that encouraged Pokemon fans to go outside, get some fresh air, and catch some Weedles. While it was still popular, Pokemon Go caused chaos amongst users, including stampedes, car accidents, and driving off cliffs. I don’t know about you, but the couch isn’t sounding like such a bad option, to me.

11. Stranger Things

After Netflix released Stranger Things in July, the world quickly fell in love with the youngest cast members of the show, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, and Gaten Matarazzo. Taking place in 1980s Hawkins, Indiana, the series starts with a neighborhood boy disappearing and a telekinetic girl surfacing. Season 2 will premiere on Netflix next year, most likely during summer.

12.  #KimExposedTaylorParty

It started off at the 2009 VMAs, when Kanye West infamously took the microphone from Taylor Swift after she won the Best Female Video, saying his notorious line, “Imma let you finish.” He told Swift he was “really happy” for the singer, then went on to praise Beyonce, stating that she had one of the best videos “of all time.” Later on in the show, Beyonce called Taylor up on stage to have her moment, and Kanye later apologized to Taylor on his blog. Yes, Kanye West had a blog. Four years later, West stated in a interview with the New York Times that he felt pressured into apologizing and that he “had no regrets.” However, in 2015, time seemed to heal all wounds when Swift and West were seen engaging in conversation while smiling and posing for pictures together at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. Later that year, Swift gushed that she would eagerly collaborate with the rapper, saying that he has “a lot of amazing ideas.” She presented West with the MTV Video Vancouver Award at the 2015 VMAs, even using infamous quote from the same awards show 6 years ago; “So, I guess I have to say to all the other winners tonight, I’m really happy for you and Imma let you finish, but Kanye West has had one of the best career of all time.” But all the love and respect that Kanye had earned from Taylor came crashing down in February of this year due to a simple lyric he rapped on his latest album, “The Life of Pablo.” In the song “Famous,” he raps “I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex / Why? I made that b**** famous.” A representative for Taylor stated that she advised him not to release such a misogynistic line and was not aware of the lyric “I made that b**** famous.” Kanye released a series of tweets that February, posting that he and Swift had a long phone call about the lyric, which ended with Taylor giving her blessings. He went on to say it wasn’t even his idea, but Taylor’s herself. At a dinner with a mutual friend, she said that “I can’t be mad at Kanye because he made me famous!” After a few more squabbles, such as shading Kanye at the Grammy Awards when she was reportedly “in on it,” and calling Swift “fake,” the rapper’s wife, Kim Kardashian West, got involved. She told GQ magazine that she was tired of Taylor “playing the victim” and making her husband look bad, who she stood firmly behind. The saga continued when the reality star exposed Swift in under a minute through a series of Snapchat videos. As though predicting the future, Kardashian West recorded the phone call that Kanye and Taylor had. In the phone call, it sounds like two friends chatting up a storm, Swift even can be heard saying “I really appreciate you telling me about it. That’s very nice,” as well as “I think it would be great for me to be like, ‘Look, he called me and told me about that line.’” However, in the phone call recording, Taylor only heard the first lyric “I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex,” instead of both lines West rapped. Even so, she was still caught lying and turned her back on West when she said she would announce her involvement.

13. Arthur’s Fist

You know the meme, the one you retweeted countless times, the one you sent to your friends when you got that bad grade or when your parents made you mad. Although Arthur’s fist is a reaction meme that surfaced this year, it’s really from an episode that premiered before some of us were even born. In September 1999, the children’s TV show “Arthur” released an episode titled “Arthur’s Big Hit” in it’s fourth season. In the episode, Arthur got mad at his younger sister, D.W., for breaking his new toy airplane. He is seen clenching his fist before releasing his anger on his sister, punching her in the face.

14. Rio 2016

Ah, yes. Another four years, another Summer Olympics. This year, Team USA got the dub, taking home 121 medals, 50 more medals than the second place team, Great Britain. The 2016 Rio Olympics were filled with anticipation and wholesome memes, such as an angry Michael Phelps and a sprinting Usain Bolt, which is basically you running away from your problems. In addition to these two athletes, fan favorites also include gymnast Simone Biles and tennis player Serena Williams. But what’s an international sporting event without a few beers and an embellished robbery story? This year, as well as taking home a shiny gold metal, famous swimming Ryan Lochte has also been given a new nickname, the “LochMess Monster.” After a drunken night with his friends, Lochte was robbed in late August during the Olympic Games. He claimed that he and three others were robbed at gunpoint, which turned out to be an over-reaction of the true story. Since the scandal, Lochte has apologized and has been given a 10 month ban from all domestic and international competitions.

15. R.I.P. Brangelina

In September, American mourned the end of the 15 year long relationship between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. When Jolie filed for divorce from the 52-year-old actor, it left us all wondering; what happened to Hollywood’s It-Couple? The pair first started dating after starring in “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” together, followed with a secret marriage in France a decade later. Jolie and Pitt have had six kids within their time together, both adopted and biological, ranging in ages 15 to 8. The decision to divorce was made “for the health of the family,” as stated by her attorney, Robert Offer, to CNN News.

16. Huhhh?

Back at it again with another viral challenge; teens everywhere are posting videos of them roasting their friends, calling it “The Huh Challenge.” The idea is to surprise someone with a camera in their face, giving it their best roast. From family members, to friends, to teachers, it seemed like everyone had secret feelings about the people around them. While some found this challenge to be hilarious, others saw it as as offensive opportunity to be rude.

17. Kim Kardashian Robbery

Kim Kardashian West. How do I begin to describe Kim Kardashian West? One may say she’s queen of selfies, another might say she’s the quote of botox and fake body parts. Regardless of your opinion on the reality star, she suffered a traumatic incident in October in Paris, France. While in her apartment, five men disguised as police officers tied Kardashian West up in a bathroom, duct taped her mouth shut, and robbed her in 10 million dollars worth of jewelry. 4.5 million was from a ring she received shortly before the incident from husband, Kanye West. Kim feared for her life during the attack, dreading a sexual assault. She begged the gunman to spare her life, pleading that she has “babies at home.” At the time of the attack, her kids, North and Saint West, were in New York, seeing the Broadway play, “Matilda.” Kanye was also in New York, performing at the Meadows Festival before cutting the show, rushing off the stage due to a “family emergency.” Since the robbery, Kim has greatly decreased her public appearances, as well as refraining from posting on social media. However, things seem to be going better for the A-List celebrity as she attended a Christmas party in LA. The host, Shelli Azoff, posted a black and white selfie of the two smiling. Her account has since been made private.

18. Mannequin Challenge

Started by a group of students in Jacksonville, Florida, the Mannequin Challenge went viral this October. The idea of the challenge was for a group of people to freeze in a natural position, like a mannequin, as someone walked around videoing them.

19. Election 2016

Trump won.

20. The Cubs Break the Curse

In October of this year, The Chicago Cubs broke the Billy Goat curse, delighting fans across the nation. The origin of this curse comes from the 1945 World Series when Bill Sianis, owner of the Billy Goat Tavern, and his pet goat were kicked out of Game 4, due to complaints about the goats smell. As he was kicked out, Sianis exclaimed “You are going to lose this World Series and you are never going to win another World Series again.” That year, the Detroit Tigers won, and the Billy Goat Curse was born. The Chicago Cubs won against the Cleveland Indians in Game 7 with 10 innings and an 8-7 score. The last time the Cubs won a World Series was 108 years ago in 1908, and the last time they made it to a World Series was 1945.

21. Evil Kermit Meme

Last but not least we have yet another viral meme. The Evil Kermit meme is a screenshot of the famous Muppet character, Kermit the Frog, talking to his evil counterpart, Constantine, dressed as a Sith Lord. The menacing character instructs Kermit to do selfish and unethical acts, getting the best of our favorite frog. Constantine was introduced in the 2014 musical comedy film, “Muppets Most Wanted.”