Although 2016 got a bad rap in the media and everyone wished that it would just end already, some really cool things happened. Even though a lot of bad things did occur, like countless terror attacks, an election that lost a lot of people their friends and the deaths of beloved celebrities, these 16 amazing things that happened may change your mind on how "horrible" 2016 was for us.
1. Funding from the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge of 2014 helped researchers find a new ALS gene.
2. The unemployment rate in the U.S. reached its lowest point since the Recession in 2008.
3. Alzheimer’s and dementia saw their lowest numbers in the U.S. in years.
4. Myanmar and the Gambia made democratic strides in their governments.
5. The United States dominated the Rio Olympics, bringing home 121 medals, 46 of which were gold.
6. Global warming began to be deterred internationally via the Paris Agreement.
7. A college fund was set up by banks for children who lost parents in 9/11.
8. A vaccine to prevent Ebola was proven effective and Africa is Ebola-free.
9. New chemotherapy advances increased the survival rate of those with pancreatic cancer to 27 percent.
10. Men who commit "honor killings" in Pakistan can now be punished.
11. Giant pandas are now vulnerable and are no longer endangered!
12. Tiger, manatee and panda populations rose significantly.
13. A “healing” trend of the ozone layer was reported, gradually reversing its depletion.
14. The Cubs won the World Series after a 108-year drought.
15. The Juno spacecraft entered Jupiter’s polar orbit.
16. Human rights strides were made in Africa, focusing on child marriage and female genital mutilation.
Bonus! The Snapchat dog filter was invented.
Here's to hoping 2017 is even better! Happy New Year!
