In 2010, I was 12 years old. The 90s were 30 years ago; the 80s, 40. Do you feel old yet?
The 2010s are coming to a close. I join everyone else making lists about the past decade and review the biggest trends of the decade and some news headlines published each year. Saddle up, it’s been a long, transformative 10 years.
(Note: Click pictures for source.)
Trends
The Informed Consumer
Think of the last big item you purchased. I bet you read up on it beforehand, didn’t you? There is so much accessibility to the internet and different opinions – which, to be honest, isn’t always a good thing. But, it makes finding reviews and information on products way easier.
Distrust
Fake news may have become a buzz word with the most recent election, but the whole decade had everyone questioning everything. People are more informed, but they’re also more critical of everything they consume. Conspiracy theorists and catfishers aside, the average consumer is savvier and should be treated with the truth.
Wellness
In 2010, wellness solely regarded the physical body. But, people are finally acknowledging the stress and anxiety in their lives by focusing on mental health. So as people take days off, post 500 times a day on their finsta (fake-Instagram), or move to a bunker 50 feet underground, remember. It’s called self-care.
Green Movement
The environment has been a consistent political conversation throughout the decade that has impacted consumers’ decisions. People are using their voices to call for change and using their purchasing power to buy from sustainability-minded brands. Just think. It’s completely changed the straw industry.
Rise of Gen Z
In 2010, the youngest of Gen Z wasn’t born yet. But the older ones were growing up and making their voices heard. We Gen Zers have established values and are highly involved in activism calling for sustainable practices and gun reform. With digital dexterity, we grew up practicing more discernment when decision making. We’re a formidable force in politics, consumerism, and culture. Ready yourselves. We’re taking over and making our mark on the world.
Headlines
2010
BP oil spill report – as it happened
(The Guardian | September 8, 2010)
The oil spill exposed negligence and damaged the shoreline of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. It had a huge impact on marine life in the area.
Instagram Launches With The Hope Of Igniting Communication Through Images
(Tech Crunch | October 6, 2010)
Instagram started as a simple sharing platform. Look at its influence now with people making their careers on social media. A picture of an egg has over 50 million likes. ‘Nuff said.
Honorable Mention: Justin Bieber was all the rage and looked like this. Ah, the birth of the Bieber cut.
2011
Royal wedding: A stylish marriage for William and Kate
(The Guardian | April 29, 2011)
People woke up at ungodly hours to watch the beautiful Kate Middleton walk down the aisle, I included.
Osama bin Laden killed in U.S. raid, buried at sea
(Washington Post | May 2, 2011)
Bin Laden has been the ultimate enemy to millennials who were young and influential when 9/11 occurred. He finally was killed, and his body disposed of in 2011. This was the last terrorist attack that influenced major changes in policy and security.
Honorable Mention: Queen B blessed us with her pregnancy.
2012
The Curious Case of Trayvon Martin
(NY Times | March 16, 2012)
This death led to an examination of police violence toward Black communities. It led to the creation of the Black Lives Matter movement when the officer was acquitted.
Election 2012: Barack Obama Wins Re-Election
(ABC News | November 2012)
Oh, the days of the 2012 election. What simpler times. No talks of fake news or misspelled tweets. Obama, the 44thPresident, the first black president, was reelected.
Sandy Hook Elementary shooting leaves 28 dead, law enforcement sources say
(Washington Post | December 14, 2012)
A shooter walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. This led to a call for gun control reform that continues today. They just created a powerful commercial for back to school this year.
Honorable Mention: PSY’s Gangnam Style took over amassing trillions of views.
2013
Here’s everything we know about PRISM to date
(Washington Post | June 12, 2013)
Big Brother’s watching – and sometimes Big Brother gets caught. The NSA was in the news for its surveillance of electronic communications of U.S. and foreign citizens.
Miley Cyrus, Bangerz And The Plot To Kill Hannah Montana
(Forbes | October 16, 2013)
From twerking to swinging naked on a wrecking ball, Miley desperately tries to separate herself from her Disney branding.
Honorable Mention: Twitter launched Vine. May it rest in peace as TikTok replaces the fallen social media.
2014
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge: How it Started
(Time Magazine | August 18, 2014)
Everyone – and I mean everyone – got a cold bucket of ice dumped on their head to raise money and awareness to Lou G.
How the 2014 Ebola Crisis Unfolded
(WSJ | September 8, 2014)
The Ebola virus spread throughout Western Africa causing major loss of life and socioeconomic havoc in its destruction.
Honorable Mention: The viral game Flappy Bird was pulled off the app store leading people to put phones loaded with the game on eBay.
2015
14-556 Obergefell v. Hodges (06/26/2015)
(Supreme Court website | June 26, 2015)
This historic court case deemed same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states.
Paris Attacks Leave More Than 100 Dead
(WSJ | November 14, 2015)
Terror swept Paris and closed borders while widening the world’s eyes to ISIS.
Honorable Mention: This dress caused quite a stir.
2016
The Flint water crisis, explained
(Vox | February 15, 2016)
The water in Flint, Michigan caused a federal state of emergency in the area due to the lead that seeped in from old damaged pipes.
2016 Election: Donald Trump Wins the White House in Upset
(NBC News | November 9, 2016)
No one saw this one coming. Some are still in shock.
Honorable Mention: Pokémon Go got people off their couches and driving around town.
2017
F.B.I. Is Investigating Trump’s Russia Ties, Comey Confirms
(NY Times | March 20, 2017)
Trump’s election will be historic in many ways, but his path to the presidency was investigated for Russian interference.
This “Me Too” Timeline Shows Why 2017 Was A Reckoning For Sexism
(Fast Company | December 6, 2017)
#MeToo was a rallying cry against sexual harassment, especially in the workplace, and led to the falling of many men who abused their powers including Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
Honorable Mention: The solar eclipse spanned the entire United States.
2018
Check out my end of the year recap for 2018 here.
How Trump is changing the face of legal immigration
(Washington Post | July 2, 2018)
Immigration was a huge issue spanning the entire calendar year.
Honorable Mention: Fortnite was all the rage.
2019
No aliens, 2 arrested at ‘Storm Area 51’ event
(CNN | September 22, 2019)
A call to storm Area 51, an Air Force base rumored to have aliens, went viral on Facebook.
Vaping illnesses, deaths and bans: What we know about mysterious vaping-linked illnesses and deaths
(Washington Post | November 21, 2019)
Vaping was meant to be a way to stop smoking but had fun flavors which encouraged teen use and led to numerous teen illnesses and deaths.
Trump becomes third U.S. president to be impeached as House approves both articles against him
(Washington Post| December 18, 2019)
After exhaustive talk about impeaching President Trump, the House quickly voted that he abused his power and obstructed Congress.
Honorable Mention: Beloved HBO series, Game of Thrones (GoT) ended with a supposedly disappointing ending. I can’t really speak on it because I didn’t watch. Whoops.