2010: Instagram launches

On Oct. 6, the Instagram app launched. Founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger created the app with the intentions to act as a photo and video sharing social media platform. Ten years  and many billions of dollars later, 500 million plus users continue to post on and utilize the now staple program.

2011: Kate and William royal wedding

When it was announced that future king Prince William was set to marry Kate Middleton, the public rejoiced. The pair tied the knot on April 2011 at Westminster Abbey, as the entire world tuned in to see their wedding broadcast live.

2012: “Gangnam Style”  on Youtube

At the end of 2012, Korean pop singer Psy released his song and music video for “Gangnam Style.” The entertaining and engaging video became the first music video to reach one billion views on Youtube. Although Psy’s game has declined in recent years, “Gangnam Style” will forever be a staple of 2012.

2013: Miley Cyrus twerks at the VMAs

At the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, singer Miley Cyrus shocked the world with her scandalous performance with fellow singer Robin Thicke. The former Disney actress stunned young viewers as she danced suggestively with Thicke, and it was noted as the end of her innocence. Since then, the performance is remembered as “degrading” and of “poor taste.”

2014: Ice Bucket Challenge

The year 2014 became the year of challenges; from the cinnamon challenge to the Kylie Jenner lip challenge, the Internet obsessed over seeing others participate in different dares. Most notably was the Ice Bucket challenge in efforts to raise money for Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). Charles Kennedy originated the challenge by dumping a bucket of cold ice water on his head, and passed on the challenge on to friends in order to spread the word.

2015: Caitlyn Jenner

When Olympic medalist and reality TV star Bruce Jenner publicly announced she was transitioning, the world was watching. In the April 2014 20/20 interview with Diane Sawyer, Jenner announced that she would now go by Caitlyn and use she/her pronouns. The publicity of a celebrity’s transition began discussion and acceptance of transgender people all over the world, especially in the U.S.

2016: Pokémon Go

The year 2016 was filled with many major moments, from the Olympics to the presidential election. But, among all these events, a new app launched with a goal of bringing happiness and unity: Pokémon Go. Its July launch encouraged users to hunt down various Pokémon, as well as battling other users.

2017: “La La Land” announced as Best Picture…actually “Moonlight”

On Feb. 26, the 89th Academy Awards was watched by millions, waiting to see which of their favorite films of the year would be bring home major awards, The biggest award of the night, “Best Picture”, was originally announced as “La La Land” by Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty. However, the pair discovered they announced the wrong movie, and awkwardly had to call up the true winners, the cast and crew of “Moonlight,” to accept their award.

2018: #MeToo Movement

Although originally beginning in 2006 by activist and sexual harassment survivor Tatiana Burke, the movement hit with full force in 2018. By encouraging sexual assualt and rape survivors to speak out and break the silence, many well-known Hollywood actors came forward and shared their stories. Most prominently, film producer Harvey Weinstein was outed as an abuser, as well as many other major figures in show business. While the movement has given a voice to victims and survivors, critics argue that it pushes false accusations.

2019: “Avengers” ended

As the decade wrapped up, the public said goodbye to Iron Man, Captain America and the rest of the Avengers. In the final installment “Avengers: Endgame,” fans flocked to theaters to see the final movie. It was the highest grossing movie of the year, racking in over a billion dollars in its opening weekend. Although the series has ended, Marvel still continues to produce more superhero movies.

SOURCES: E Online and Forbes