2016. You were the best and worst year of my life, and I know many people that feel the same way. Many people don't think about the good things that happened, or don't even realize all of the good that has happened.
1. The Final Five- August 5-August 21, 2016
The Final Five were my favorite part of the Olympics this year. Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian amazed and inspired us all with their spirit and talent. The U.S. Women's Olympic Gymnastics team will never be the same.
2. Harriet Tubman Replaces Andrew Jackson on $20- April 20, 2016
Harriet Tubman replacing Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill is great news. It will be the first time since 1886 that a woman will be on U.S. paper currency, following in the footsteps of Martha Washington. The $5 and $10 bill will also be changed, and these bills will be out in 2020.
3. Break Through in ALS Cure Research- January 11, 2016
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is one of the most mysterious diseases, with little clarity on why people get the awful disease. The worst part of ALS is there is no treatment. But with the surge of donations through the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge during the summer of 2014, a link between genes was found, and a treatment is within reach.
4. President Obama Signs "Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act" - October 7, 2016
The Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act was able to pass through the House of Representatives unanimously and pass in the Senate before President Obama signed off on the bill. This bill is a good step forward in helping women and men who survive sexual assault move forward.
5. Cubs Win World Series- November 2, 2016
Even if you aren't a Cubs fan, you probably knew someone that was celebrating the day the Cubs won the World Series.
6. Giant Pandas are no longer endangered- September 2016
Giant Pandas are no longer an endangered species! This is great news for animal lovers everywhere! Pandas aren't in great shape yet, though. They've been upgraded to vulnerable, which means we still need to be careful with them.
7. Joe Biden Memes- all of 2016
Whatever your opinion on our current Vice President is, you have to admit, he makes a good meme.
8. More Harry Potter- July 31, 2016, & November 18, 2016
Hogwarts is my home, and I was glad to be able to go back, even though it was for a short time.
9. Cigarette Smoking Down in the United States- November 2016
The number of smokers in the United States has dropped 8.6 million people since 2005.
10. India Planted 50 million Trees in One Day
With the help of 800,000 volunteers, Indian was able to plant 50 million trees in one day. This was part of a plan India had on planting trees on 12% of deforested land.
