A time in which Android outsold Apple is hard to imagine, and even harder to remember. But, it happened!  When thinking back to 2010, the start of the decade, events feel ages ago when considering the changes in technology, entertainment, and world news.  Justin Bieber was discovered in 2010, and now he’s married! If that doesn’t show how much things have changed in the last decade, then I don’t know what will.

Below are the highlights from each year in multiple categories.

Entertainment

In 2010, the discovery of Justin Bieber shakes the world and demonstrates the power of social media. Come 2011, the Royal Wedding takes place between Prince William and Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. In 2012,  “Gangnam style” is released by Psy 6, sending the world into a frenzy of the unique dance move. In 2013, Miley Cyrus, Disney star turned rebel, sings “Wrecking Ball”, swings around on a giant ball in her music video and puts on a risque` performance at the MTV Music Awards. In 2014, Justin Bieber is arrested for a DUI.  The knot is tied between Kim Kardasian and Kanye West as well as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. In 2015, Caitlyn Jenner is introduced to the world. 2016 is consumed by Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift’s feud over using Swift’s name in Kanye’s music. In 2017, La La Land is incorrectly announced instead of Moonlight at the Oscars.  In 2018, another Royal Wedding takes place between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Finally, in 2019, Lori Loghlin and Felicity Huffman are in hot waters amid allegations of bribing colleges for admission. 

US Government and Politics

In 2010, Congress passes the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act signed by Barack Obama.  Come 2011, Donald Trump makes comments about possibly running for president in the near future.  In 2012, Obama wins re-election against Republican Mitt Romney. In 2013, the federal government shuts down because Congress was unable to agree on a budget when Republicans wanted to defund Obamacare.  In 2014, Obama’s immigration efforts cause a budget showdown with Republicans, eventually agreeing to fund most of the government through next September. Donald Trump announces his race to the White House in 2015.  In 2016, Donald Trump wins, and is inaugurated. Come 2017, GOP fails to repeal Obamacare. Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation battle and Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony against him for sexual harassment takes place in 2018.  In 2019, Trump pitches the border wall in Mexico and is later impeached.

Domestic and International Critical Issues 

In 2010, North Korea attacks South Korea, killing 46 sailors. In 2011, US forces kill Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.  Come 2012, gun violence escalates in a movie theater, a temple, and Sandy Hook elementary school all in the US, killing forty four people in total.  Additionally, Hurricane Sandy strikes the eastern seaboard and makes its way to Wisconsin. In 2013, terrorism rises once more in the Boston marathon bombing, killing three and injuring 260.  In 2014, the deadliest outbreak of Ebola since 1983 starts in West Africa and spread to four countries, including two cases in the US. The Black Lives Matter movement begins in 2015 due to police brutality involving race, and same-sex marriage is legalized in the US. In 2016, Russia interferes in the US election and North Korea conducts missile and nuclear testing.  2017 was full of important events, from the intriguing total solar eclipse to the devastating massacres in Texas and Las Vegas, as well as the formation of the #MeToo movement for victims of sexual harassment. In 2018, a soccer coach and his twelve male players get trapped in a cave in Thailand for ten days, and over 100 divers come to their rescue with one fatality. In 2019, climate change becomes a prevalent issue in the US and around the globe and efforts such as paying for a plastic bag at the store or using paper straws have begun.  Additionally, there are a total of 15,381 deaths and 29,568 injuries in mass shootings in the US, proving domestic terrorism to be more of a threat than international terrorism,.

Technological Innovations

The Apple iPad is released in 2010. In 2011, Samsung rises to prominence. In 2012, models of the Tesla car are released. In 2013, the Raspberry Pi, a small single board computer, is invented. Google chromecast is available in 2013, allowing you to stream from or to a laptop, phone, or TV.  The Amazon Echo comes out in 2014, introducing voice assistance technology. The Apple Watch is released in 2015 which demonstrated how small a smartwatch can really be. Apple Airpods are available to the public in 2016, introducing cutting-edge hardware. The Nintendo Switch takes over in 2017, marketable for its Game Boy-like style as a video game console.  In 2018, Google Home is released as a smart home device to help access media, manage tasks, and control your house. In 2019, technology is booming, however, scientific breakthroughs using updated technology result in the most important invention: custom cancer vaccinations. The vaccination will hopefully use the body’s natural defenses to destroy tumors.

Those We Lost

Many figures were lost this past decade that shall never be forgotten.

Athletes: Nodar Kumaritashvili, Joe Frazier, Brad Halsey, Doug Atkins, Muhammad Ali, Arnold Palmer, Rusty Staub, Luis Valbuana, Anne Donovan, Ted Linday, Joese Fernandez, Tyler Skaggs, and Patrick Day.

Singers: Aretha Franklin, Della Reese, George Michael, Prince, David Bowie, Whitney Houston, Donna Summer, Dick Clark, Mac Miller, Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy (XXXTentacion), and Jarad Higgins (Juice Wrld). 

Actors: Robin Williams, Paul Walker, Cory Monteith, Leanard Nimoy, Luke Perry, Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Rivers, Alan Rickman, Shirley Temple, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Cameron Boyce, Gene Wilder, Jerry Lewis, Erin Moran, Tom Bosley, Roger Moore,  and Rue McClanahan.

Inspirations: Nelson Mandela, Niel Armstrong, Stephen Hawkings, Steve Jobs, and Maya Angelou, and Tori Moorison.

Rest in peace to those we lost and may we never forget the mark they made.

Ultimately, the 2010s were full of ups and downs.  WIth change, progress, growth, and many setbacks, the decade was shaped by these significant events.  From tragedies to dance anthems, last decade was one for the books.