The Unforgettable Winter Olympics

Adam Rippon's sass [1]! Gus Kenworthy's abs [2]! Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir's chemistry [3]! The 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, brought back some of our favourite cold-weather athletes like Shaun White [4] and Lindsey Vonn [5] and introduced us to talented stars like Chloe Kim [6]. Not only were official records broken, like Mirai Nagasu becoming the first American woman to land a triple axel [7] at the Olympics, but athletes also broke barriers, and Adam Rippon became the first openly gay US figure skater [8] to compete in the Winter Olympics. There were Beyoncé-inspired figure skating routines [9], devastating injuries [10], and even a brother-sister ice dancing duo [11] that made the 2018 Winter Olympics absolutely unforgettable.

Women Supporting Women During Award Season

The first award season following the October 2017 exposé on Harvey Weinstein [12] (and the floodgates it opened) kicked off in January, and did women show up and stand up for the #MeToo movement? Hell yes they did. The Golden Globes set the tone when attendees wore black [13] as a somber symbol against sexual harassment in the industry, and many of the gowns and tuxedos would later be auctioned off to benefit the Time's Up Legal Defence Fund [14].

Men and women sported Time's Up pins [15] throughout the remainder of award season, and the inspiration only amplified during stars' acceptance speeches. Frances McDormand brought women to their feet [16] when she defended inclusion riders [17] as she accepted the Oscar for her performance in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Oprah Winfrey delivered a must-watch speech [18] and had everyone nodding as she said, "I want all of the girls watching here now to know that a new day is on the horizon."

This Is Us Buzz (Spoiler Alert!)

While it may feel like the questions surrounding Jack Pearson's death [19] on This Is Us [20] started when the beloved series premiered in 2016, it wasn't until this January that we had some answers [21]. Hearts broke across the nation [22] when learning that America's favourite TV dad dies of complications following a Crock-Pot-caused house fire [23]. Fans immediately blamed the neighbours who gave the Pearsons the slow cooker [24], but the brand itself even hilariously chimed in [25] letting all Crock-Pot owners know their devices are safe.

It was during the highly anticipated Super Bowl episode [26] that Jack dies, and yes, Rebecca is midbite on a Twix when she finds out the devastating news. Fans were fully immersed [27] in the emotions surrounding Jack's death [28], and also when realising he's not actually our husband [29]. The story continues to develop in the current season [30], which has given us even more theory-worthy plotlines. Seriously, though, does Jack know that about his brother [31]?!

Royal Weddings and Babies (Times Two!)

If it felt like exciting news about the British royal family kept dropping month after month, that's because it (more or less) did. Back in April, Kate Middleton gave birth [32] to her third child, Prince Louis, and just a few weeks later, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot [33] in a stunning royal wedding. The newlyweds made several appearances [34] throughout the Spring and Summer, and in October, along with the rest of the family, they attended another royal wedding — Princess Eugenie's [35]. A few days later, Kensington Palace released a statement to announce Meghan's pregnancy [36], and the Duchess of Sussex had her bump on display when the pair embarked on a royal tour [37] in Australia in the Fall.

*catches breath* Did you get all that? With Meghan's due date [38] coming up next Spring, it's safe to say the royal excitement will continue into the new year.

The Cultural Impact of Black Panther

Long before even making its debut in February, Black Panther [39] solidified itself as one of the most talked-about projects of the year [40], not just because it catapulted stars like Michael B. Jordan into superstar status [41] but also because of the bar it set in terms of onscreen representation for people of colour [42]. Whether Twitter users were sharing their plans to throw epic viewing parties or praising the film for its concept and predominantly black cast, Black Panther [43] proved it wasn't just a movie but a cultural phenomenon [44]. And if you don't believe us, then we'll have to point you in the direction of the film's history-making Golden Globes nominations [45]. It became the first superhero flick to ever be nominated [46] for best dramatic picture.

Surprise Celebrity Engagements

Sure, celebrity engagements [47] happen every year, but this year brought some of the most talked-about relationships in a while. Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson [48] got engaged in June after a few weeks of dating, and Ariana included a song named after her then-fiancé on her hugely successful Sweetener album [49]. The "Thank U, Next" [50] singer and SNL star later broke up in October [51], sharing that it was "way too much too soon."

In July, Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin revealed their engagement [52], and they officially tied the knot [53] in September before Hailey traded in her "B" last name [54] for a new one. Yet another big engagement happened in July when Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra [55] shared the exciting news, and the two got married in a stunning ceremony in Jodhpur, India [56], on Dec. 1.

Meanwhile, other "surprise" celebrity weddings included Emily Ratajkowski's courthouse nuptials [57] back in February (she married longtime friend Sebastian Bear-McClard after a few weeks of dating) and Amy Schumer's private wedding to Chris Fischer [58]. Amy is now expecting her first child and announced the news in a clever way [59] this Fall.

Beyoncé's Epic Coachella Performance

Beyoncé made history as the first black female headliner [60] at Coachella, and her performance was epic. Her set lasted for nearly two hours, and she took the groundbreaking opportunity to pay tribute to HBCUs with a university-themed set complete with drumlines and step choreography and by singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" before transitioning into "Formation." Bey dressed to impress in five custom Balmain outfits [61] that left our jaws on the floor. Like the queen she is, she even surprised the crowd by bringing Kelly Rowland [62] and Michelle Williams from Destiny's Child on stage to perform "Soldier," "Lose My Breath," and "Say My Name."

A Rom-Com Resurgence

Romantic comedies have never really gone away, but they certainly had a moment this year. Following the success of A Christmas Prince [63] in 2017, Netflix released a series of buzzy rom-coms that won over the internet. The reactions to Set It Up [64] revealed just how much people have missed classic romantic comedies, and sure enough, To All the Boys I've Loved Before [65] became one of the streaming service's most viewed original films [66]. ICYMI, pretty much everyone started crushing on Peter Kavinsky [67], and actor Noah Centineo [68] was catapulted into the spotlight with several appearances and a casual, um, 15 million Instagram followers.

Beyond Netflix, plenty of love stories hit the big screen, too. From Love, Simon [69] to Destination Wedding [70] to the spectacular success of Crazy Rich Asians [71], moviegoers had their pick of rom-coms to swoon over.

The Met Gala's Heavenly Host

After years of attending the Met Gala [72] (and stealing the red carpet), Rihanna [73] served as one of the hosts for the esteemed event alongside Donatella Versace, Amal Clooney, and Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour. The singer and makeup mogul of course proceeded to exceed everyone's expectations [74] with her pope-inspired Margiela outfit [75], which met the "Heavenly Bodies" theme [76] inspired by the relationship between fashion and religion.

In addition to hosting countless stars and fashion industry people [77], this year's Met Gala also featured an intimate performance by Madonna [78] for guests inside. All in all, the over-the-top and star-studded event ended up giving us further proof that Rihanna sure knows how to throw a party.

Mickey Mouse's 90th Anniversary Mania

Mickey Mouse's 90th anniversary was on Nov. 18, and brands galore went all out to honour the beloved cartoon character's milestone birthday. Fashion labels like Rag & Bone [79], Levi's [80], and Opening Ceremony [81] collaborated with Disney to release a slew of nostalgic clothing collections, and Vans took the playful vibes to a whole new level with its fun Mickey Mouse-inspired sneaker line [82]. Meanwhile, Sugarfina kept our sweet tooth satisfied by dropping an adorable array of Mickey-inspired candies [83], and Oreo followed suit with limited-edition birthday-cake-flavoured cookies [84] featuring the round-eared Disney legend's smiling face.

Naturally, Mickey's birthday called for quite the big celebrations at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, and both theme parks offered tons of limited-edition eats and treats [85] to honour the occasion. Themed cupcakes, push-pops, and mini cheesecakes filled the tummies of Mickey-lovers at Disney World, while Disneyland visitors filled up on birthday-cake-flavoured crisped rice treats (yum!) and cookie-butter-topped churros (*drools all over self*). Can every year be Mickey's 90th anniversary?

The "In My Feelings" Challenge Takeover

On June 29, American comedian Shiggy shared a video of himself dancing in the street [86] to the tune of Drake's song "In My Feelings." Little did he know that clip of him busting a move in his tracksuit would spark a nationwide — nay, worldwide — phenomenon dubbed the "In My Feelings" Challenge [87], with people around the globe copying his dance while listening to Drake ask his mysterious mistress Kiki (or Keke, depending on who you ask) whether she loved him.

In the months that followed, thousands of social media users participated in the viral dance craze [88], each one sharing their renditions of Shiggy's moves with their followers. Everyone from police officers and dentists to pregnant women and even animals partook in the "In My Feelings" Challenge, and tons of celebrities [89], including Will Smith [90], Ciara [91], and Sterling K. Brown [92], couldn't resist getting in on the fun, too.

Of course, when Drake released the Scorpion song's official music video [93] in August, it was heavily influenced by the internet challenge, prominently featuring Shiggy himself, along with various clips of people mimicking his famous dance. Much like a few of Drake's other 2018 music videos [94], the nearly eight-minute "In My Feelings" video also stars many famous faces [95], including La La Anthony and Phylicia Rashad.

The Crazy Big Impact of Crazy Rich Asians

In case you haven't heard, the movie adaptation of Kevin Kwan's bestselling novel Crazy Rich Asians [96] took off in a major way this Fall. Fans of the book anxiously awaited the film, and the result did not disappoint. Stars like Constance Wu and Gemma Chan joined Hollywood newcomers like Henry Golding to create a heartwarming rom-com with immense social significance.

From the all-Asian cast [97] to the film's stellar fashion and soundtrack, every detail fell into place and resulted in a truly impressive masterpiece. Celebrities couldn't stop talking about the movie's impact on Hollywood [98], and fans everywhere are counting down the days till the sequel's release [99].

The Return of the Boy Band and Girl Groups

Backstreet Boys really set the tone for the rest of the year when they dressed as the Spice Girls [100] during a cruise performance in May. Seemingly against all odds, we would later see a reemergence of both groups: the Spice Girls recently confirmed a comeback stadium tour [101] in 2019, which Victoria Beckham [102] sadly won't be joining, and the Backstreet Boys are also readying themselves for a world tour and a forthcoming album titled [103] DNA.

While BSB counterpart *NSYNC hasn't announced plans to reunite in any official capacity, the group did come together in April to celebrate Justin Timberlake's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame [104]. Underscored by the success of groups like Little Mix and K-pop boy band BTS [105], it's becoming apparent that fans are ready for the return of the boy band and girl group.

Women Lifting Each Other Up in Sports

After opening up about her near-death labor experience [106], Serena Williams was back and ready to conquer at the 2018 tournaments. Fans across the globe rallied as her dominant return reinstated her legacy as one of the greatest athletes in the world, but it didn't come without its challenges. Following Serena's first grand slam of the year [107] at the French Open in May, she was banned from wearing her custom Nike catsuit [108] in following tournaments. Even without her "superhero outfit," Serena collaborated with Off-White founder Virgil Abloh [109] and Nike to create a line of badass tutu ensembles [110], which she wore during the US Open. Although she lost to 20-year-old Naomi Osaka and faced violations for illegal coaching, breaking her racket, and verbal abuse against the referee, Serena took the setback as an opportunity to bring attention to the unequal treatment of male and female tennis players [111].

With tennis legend Billie Jean King defending Serena and thanking her "for calling out this double standard," it was clear the conversation surrounding gender equality in professional sports was far from over. It was also earlier this year that many former Team USA gymnasts came forward to give victim statements [112] at the sentencing of the team's longtime doctor Larry Nassar, who pleaded guilty to charges of child pornography and sexual assault [113] in 2017. At the 2018 ESPY Awards, 141 "sister survivors" received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award [114] for raising awareness about the brutal crimes their coach committed against them. Aly Raisman's bravery and determination [115] were at the centre of the movement, and she even used her voice to support survivors in the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue [116].

The Midterm Elections

This was a pretty tense year for America, and by the time election day arrived on Tuesday, Nov. 6, the country had seen over 300 mass shootings [117], one of which was the catalyst for the March For Our Lives [118] rally in Washington DC. Just days before voters went to the polls, the Brett Kavanaugh hearing [119] dominated headlines, and to say the news cycle became mentally exhausting is an understatement.

With all of that in mind, frustrated voters [120] took to the polls during the 2018 midterms hoping to make change. The election results [121] led to Democrats gaining a majority in the House of Representatives, while Republicans maintained control of the Senate. And though Congress, much like the country, is still very divided, there were definitely bright spots worth celebrating. For starters, voter turnout in 2018 was the highest it's been for a midterm election in decades, with 49 percent of eligible voters casting their ballots, according to the United States Election Project [122].

As for the night's other victories with a lasting impact? Well, a record-breaking number of women were elected to Congress [123] — a handful of whom are minorities whose wins are doubly historic — and Colourado elected its first openly gay governor, Jared Polis [124]. Florida voters also made a significant change after approving an amendment that will automatically restore voting rights to one million convicted felons [125]. While there's still a load of work to be done, the outcome of this year's midterm elections was a sure sign we're approaching change.

A Star Is (Re)Born

You've probably heard this one before: An established musician weathered by the industry and his own vices catapults the career of an undiscovered singer. As her fame grows, however, his decays. Oh, they also fall in love.

A Star Is Born [126] had already been done three times [127] before Bradley Cooper [128] and Lady Gaga [129] decided to retell it with a country twang and in our modern times. And yet, that didn't detract from its impact on both the year and invariably the upcoming award season. (It's already being considered a shoo-in for best original song [130] at the Oscars, and it's nominated for four Golden Globes [131].)

Gaga and Cooper, who also directed the film, followed up their gutting performances with quite the press tour. There was a world premiere at the Venice Film Festival [132], a separate and similarly glamorous premiere in LA [133], and countless charismatic interviews. Like that, a film that could have been dismissed as just another remake quickly became a new classic.