Top Moments of 2018 A Year in Review Across the Globe

Reminiscing the year that went by, remembering the many things that changed and how those changes transformed you, it’s hard not to feel a mix of emotions. Each year is a reminder that time waits for no one, and the world keeps evolving, often at a pace that can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. Every year comes with a promise of hope, of new beginnings and new challenges, but the days slip away faster than we ever expect. The excitement of January feels like a distant memory by the time November rolls around, and as the end of the year approaches, we realize just how fleeting those twelve months have been. People are already buzzing about the holidays—planning family dinners, trips, and celebrations. Yet, amid the festive preparations, there's a certain nostalgia that creeps in as we look back on the year that was.

It's in these quiet moments of reflection that we start to truly see how much has changed—not only in the world but within ourselves. Our lives, our perspectives, and even our goals may have shifted in ways we never anticipated. And as 2018 draws to a close, we can’t help but acknowledge the impact that this year has had on us all. From global political upheavals to social movements that changed the course of history, 2018 has been a year of both turbulence and triumph. It's a year that reminded us of the power of change, the resilience of the human spirit, and the undeniable truth that nothing stays the same for long.

Spring
Starting off the year on a “high “California became the largest US state to legalize the recreational use of Marijuana. New Year for sure was “lit” for the entire state. Bomb cyclones hit the US Northwest prompting flooding and snow in the New York subway system. Donald Trump was in the mood for creating an upheaval not just in the United States, but all around the globe in general.

The US government was forced to shut down at the starting of January 2018. Also, it meant a lot of lower-ranking government officials were put on leave and their payments held back because the government was short on funds to support them until a funding deal was reached. The shutdown although lasted for three days was a piece of massive news in Trump’s presidency.

Summer
Trump further went on making imperative decisions regarding the future of the nation and as well as its relations with the other countries, the Nuclear deal with Iran which was a result of two years of arduous negotiations. The president pulled out of the deal with Iran. Later in the year, Trump met with the infamous leader of North Korea to discuss eliminating North Korea’s nuclear arsenal. The year saw a high number of former officials resigning from the office or being ousted by the President.

Enough with the Trump talk although it is hard to cover all the things he has done. The world saw quite a few reforms and innovative initiatives, people all around the globe seem to have embarked on the path towards making the globe a better place.

Source: Pixabay

Fall
The #MeToo movement which was initiated in the States took to the entire world where millions of people came out to share their stories about sexual harassment and what they have had to go through dealing with it. For the first time, people had a platform where talking about it was not considered taboo. Liberation of any and all forms were welcomed on all fronts. The Supreme Court of India made a historic verdict decriminalizing homosexuality. For the first time since the end of the reign of the Islamic State, Iraq held its provincial elections. UAE lifted the ban that restrained women from driving vehicles and provided a driving license to women.

Winter
Amongst all the chaos the world was transfixed on the Royal wedding of Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle, with almost 13 million people witnessing the nuptials. The royal family welcomed Meghan with open arms defying some of their age-old rules and regulations regarding the queen to be. Closing the year with the 68th edition of the Miss World pageant, Vanessa Ponce was crowned with the title becoming the first Mexican to be crowned Miss World.

On a personal level, each year offers us a chance to reevaluate who we are, where we’ve been, and where we want to go. The passage of time, marked by milestones like holidays, weddings, and even loss, forces us to reckon with the transient nature of life. Yet in that impermanence lies the beauty of growth, of change, and of opportunity.

Remembrance
2018 has marked progress in so many areas, but also revealed the ongoing struggles that remind us of how far we still need to go. Looking back at 2018 we lost quite a few gems of the century. Brilliant physicist Stephen Hawkins. Stan Lee, Marvel comic patriarch who ushered a new era of superhero storytelling. Kofi Annan the first African who led the UN. Still trying to cope up with the loss of Avicii, the Swedish musician, DJ who died an unexpected death. A year of surging trends such as the Kiki challenge, or the “what the fluff” challenge. Or the worldwide dilemma of Yanny and Laurel to the yodeling Walmart boy. We have had quite a few things that took the internet by storm. 2018 will go down as a year of ups and downs. The world is not the same as it was at the beginning of the year, but as it is said “Change is the only constant”. So as we bid farewell to 2018, let us embrace the lessons learned, the progress made, and the hopes for the future. A new year is upon us, with fresh possibilities on the horizon. And as always, with change comes the chance to rebuild, to reshape, and to reimagine the world—one step, one decision, one moment at a time.

Also read: January 2019 magazine