The Year That Changed Everything: 2016 Turns 10
By Jovonne Ledet
January 9, 2026
This year marks a decade since 2016, a year that, in hindsight, feels like a cultural fault line.
10 years later, the influence of 2016 still ripples through music, sports, politics, television, and the way we exist online. It was the year pop culture collided with protest, memes became movements, and art reflected a world grappling with identity and power.
From Beyoncé’s unapologetic “Formation” to the Mannequin Challenge, 2016 gave us moments that were instantly iconic and would later prove to be prophetic. It was a year when Black excellence dominated charts and screens, athletes became activists, streaming reshaped entertainment, and social media evolved into a cultural engine.
As former President Barack Obama delivered his final State of the Union and the nation braced for change, the year 2016 marked a turning point that went unrecognized at the time.
Keep scrolling to remember the 2016 moments that have defined the past decade.
January 2016
Barack Obama Delivers His Final State of the Union Address
Rihanna Releases ANTI
The People v. O.J. Simpson Premieres
#OscarsSoWhite Discourse Peaks
February 2016
Beyoncé Releases “Formation”
Kanye West Releases The Life of Pablo
Beyoncé, Coldplay, and Bruno Mars Headline the Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show
April 2016
Drake Releases Views
Kobe Bryant Scores 60 Points in His Final NBA Game
Prince Dies
May 2016
Chance the Rapper Releases Coloring Book
June 2016
LeBron James Leads the Cleveland Cavaliers To Their First NBA championship
United Kingdom Votes to Leave the European Union (Brexit)
Muhammad Ali Dies
July 2016
Stranger Things Premieres on Netflix
Pokémon GO Is Released
August 2016
Frank Ocean Releases Blonde
Simone Biles Dominates the Rio Olympics
Colin Kaepernick Kneels During the National Anthem
Instagram Launches Stories
September 2016
Atlanta premieres on FX
Solange Releases A Seat at the Table
Luke Cage premieres on Netflix
National Museum of African American History and Culture Opens in Washington, D.C.
Evil Kermit Meme Goes Viral
The 30 Most Hilarious ‘Dark Kermit’ Memes On The Entire Internet https://t.co/q3V0U0IG86 pic.twitter.com/kC4cPTH5fr
— Thought Catalog (@ThoughtCatalog) November 17, 2016
October 2016
Insecure premieres on HBO
Moonlight is Released
Vine Announces Shutdown
Mannequin Challenge Goes Viral
December 2016
Hidden Figures is Released
January 2017
Barack Obama Completes His Presidency (End of 2016 Term)
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