2018 has been an incredibly long 12 months. It’s been a time of firsts and of change. How did so much happen in one year? With the year coming to a close, let’s look back on 2018.
A Year in Sports
2018 marked a fantastic year in the world of sports. Records were broken and teenagers specifically took American athletics to new heights.
In PyeongChang, seventeen year old Chloe Kim captured the attention of the nation when she won a gold medal in the Women’s Halfpipe. Smashing records, Kim became the first woman to ever land two 1080-degree spins in a row. Her accomplishments are all the more impressive considering her age.
Seventeen-year-old Chloe Kim after winning gold in the Halfpipe event
The seventeen-year-old Red Gerard also captured the hearts of Americans at PyeongChang. Gerard became the youngest American to win a medal in an Olympic snowboarding event, following a stellar performance in the Men’s Slopestyle. After binge watching ‘Brooklyn Nine Nine’ the night before his race, oversleeping, and forgetting his jacket just before competition, Gerard won gold against all odds. His slightly clumsy and relatable personality captured the hearts of American teens everywhere.
Not only has the 2018 sports world been one of revolutionary triumph, but it has been one of massive controversy. Most notably, the 2018 French Open tennis tournament received massive backlash when tennis legend Serena Williams was not allowed to wear her catsuit in competition. After nearly dying from complications in childbirth just months before, Williams required the suit to prevent blood clots. The French Open was harshly criticized, as Williams gained support from fans across the world.
At the 2018 US Open, tension during the Women’s final also spurred intense controversy. During the second set, Williams received a penalty for coaching, a seemingly minor offense that is often ignored by officials and referees on the court. Williams grew increasingly frustrated with the double-standard in officiating, prompting her to stand up for herself and assert her frustrations. Ultimately, Williams’s numerous penalties resulted in the loss of a set, prompting her loss to Naomi Osaka. Though, initially, the controversy of the match prompted intense frustration from numerous fans, Williams called for sportsmanship and grace.
A Year in Politics
2018 has most notably seen a massive rise in political activism, specifically among teens.
In February, seventeen lives were lost to a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Survivors of this horrific event rose up to honor the memory of their peers by supporting stricter gun control. Their call for gun control was heard by hundreds of thousands of teens and adults across the nation, subsequently rallying in Washington DC in late March.
This rapid rise in political activism throughout the nation prompted a remarkably high voter turnout for the 2018 midterm elections. Barriers were broken as voters elected the most diverse House of Representatives in US history. Ilhan Omar, the first Somali-American elected to the House, and Rashida Tlaib, a representative of Michigan’s 13th district, both became the first two Muslim women to be elected to Congress.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman to be elected to the House
New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, at 29 years old, became the youngest woman to be elected to Congress.
Throughout 2018, the growth of the #Metoo Movement continued to motivate and encourage people across the world, as sexual assault victims shared their survival stories and fought for change. Most notably, the accusations against Harvey Weinstein and Billy Cosby made major headlines throughout the world. The indictment of Weinstein, specifically, was of utmost importance to the #Metoo Movement; accusations against Weinstein sparked the growth of the movement back in late 2017. Cosby’s conviction, additionally, restored justice for nearly sixty women who have accused Cosby of sexual assault.
A march to raise awareness of sexual and domestic violence
Bill Cosby is sentenced to three to ten years in jail on September 25, 2018
A Year in Entertainment
2018 was incredibly remarkable in the advancement of entertainment, with increased representation of minorities in film and other media.
Specifically, this has been a spectacular year for the Marvel Movie franchise, releasing Black Panther, Infinity War, and Ant-man and the Wasp.
Black Panther’s release in February of 2018 was overwhelmingly successful at the box office. Black Panther was especially inspiring for the African-American community because it emphasized the empowerment and success of African and African-American culture. Praise for Black Panther’s representation of black culture, as well as its incredibly successful cast, such as Michael B. Jordan, Chadwick Boseman, and Lupita Nyong’o, resulted in its grossing over one billion dollars at the box office.
The success of other Marvel movies throughout the year, including the release of Infinity War and Ant-Man and the Wasp, truly emphasized the franchise’s influence on 2018’s film industry. Infinity War grossed over two billion dollars at the box office. Its many meme-able moments, including Chris Evan’s iconic “I am Steve Rogers” and Tom Holland’s heartbreaking “Mr. Stark, I don’t feel so good,” dominated social media for weeks.
And what would 2018 be without memes? This year saw a vast array of iconic memes, from Tide Pods in January to the Distracted Boyfriend meme to “Weird flex, but ok.” It is almost impossible to determine which meme truly captures the spirit of 2018, but let us know what your favorite meme was from this year.
Looking Ahead…
As we say goodbye to 2018, we look forward to 2019. What will this new year bring? New movies? New political movements? New rivalries? Whatever the outcome, we will always appreciate what the world has gained from 2018.
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