The year 2018 will forever be known as the year that people around the world willfully ingested liquid detergent as part of the infamous Tide Pod Challenge. From there, much of the year was pretty much a downhill battle.
While the US and its allies were busy bombing Syria, the world watched on as a Thai soccer team got trapped in an underground cave, only to be rescued twelve days later by Thailand’s Navy SEALS.
On top of that, Anthony Bourdain, one of the world’s most beloved food writers, lost his life.
2018 had some pretty cool things happen too! One awesome thing was when President Trump and Kim Jong Un actually sat down together and had a meeting. It was the first time a US President and a North Korean Leader stopped arguing and actually talked.
Also, in India, they launched an amazing healthcare system called Modicare. It’s the biggest in the world and now helps over 500 million people!
And hey, let’s not forget about Black Panther. That movie was incredible and won a bunch of awards. What’s even more special is that it had a mostly Black cast leading the way!
Continue reading to uncover the remarkable events, chart-topping music hits, inspiring quotes, and influential deaths that shaped the year 2018.
Events
Embark on a thrilling adventure through the year 2018 and uncover the extraordinary events that shaped our history.
May 29
Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko faked his own death.
The media reported that Arkady had been assassinated on his way home to his Kyiv apartment. He appeared on a live Ukrainian television at a press conference the next day. The staged death was intended to expose Russian agents.
Jun 6
Xi’an, China, introduced a pedestrian lane for people who walk while looking at their phones.
The northern Chinese city implemented the special pedestrian zones because cars were often driving on the sidewalk, putting pedestrians who ignore their surroundings at risk of injury. Those most at risk are known as “phubbers,” or people who stare at their phones while walking.
Jun 12
The leaders of North Korea and the USA met for the first time ever.
US President Donald Trump met with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un at the 2018 North Korea–United States Singapore Summit in Singapore. North Korea’s newly-developed nuclear capabilities largely prompted the summit. The two leaders agreed on North Korea’s denuclearization in return for greater security guarantees. Further peace talks and friendlier relations were also on the table.
Jul 15
France defeated Croatia 4-2 to win their second FIFA World Cup.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup occurred in Russia, with the final held at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. France’s first goal was an own-goal by the Croatian team, which was the first time this had ever happened in a World Cup Final.
Oct 26
Rockstar Games’ hit Wild-West series returned with the release of Red Dead Redemption 2.
It took over eight years to develop. Being a blockbuster Rockstar Games title, it unsurprisingly ranks as one of the most expensive video games ever made. However, all that time and money paid off, with the game raking in US$725 million in sales in its first weekend alone.
Famous Deaths
Here’s a glimpse at a few famous people who bid us farewell in 2018.
1992
2018
Mac Miller
American
Rapper
1992
2018
Mac Miller
Mac Miller was an American rapper born on January 19, 1992. He died on September 7, 2018, at age 26 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Died On:
Sep 7, 2018 (Age 26)
Died In:
California, USA
1998
2018
XXXTentacion
American
Rapper
1998
2018
XXXTentacion
XXXTentacion was an American rapper born on January 23, 1998. He died on June 18, 2018, at age 20 in Deerfield Beach, Florida, USA.
Died On:
Jun 18, 2018 (Age 20)
Died In:
Florida, USA
1922
2018
Stan Lee
American
Comic Book Writer
1922
2018
Stan Lee
Stan Lee was an American comic book writer born on December 28, 1922. He died on November 12, 2018, at age 95 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Died On:
Nov 12, 2018 (Age 95)
Died In:
California, USA
Quotes
Here’s a roundup of the most memorable quotes people said in 2018.
Oct 23
I’ve been a daydreamer since day one. I much prefer looking out a window over looking at my phone.
RuPaul
American Drag Queen
Dec 9
I wanna be clear, I do not respect the SEC. I do not respect them.
2018 In Music
2018 was a year filled with sensational tunes that had us singing along without a care in the world!
From the infectious rhythms of “Havana” by Camila Cabello to the heartfelt melodies of “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran, these chart-toppers brought joy and excitement to our ears, making 2018 a year to remember in the world of music.
Check out these music highlights from 2018.
Album of the Year
Bruno Mars brought the groove and pure pop joy with his infectious album “24K Magic” in 2018, earning him the coveted Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
Song of the Year
Bruno Mars enchanted listeners in 2018 and won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year with his smooth and catchy tune, “That’s What I Like.”
Best New Artist
Alessia Cara’s soulful voice and relatable lyrics won her the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2018, establishing her as a rising star in the pop music landscape.
Eurovision Song Contest Winner
The 2018 Eurovision Song Contest, the 63rd edition of this fantastic celebration of music, was held in Lisbon, Portugal.
Netta, a powerhouse performer from Israel, took home the grand prize with her infectious and empowering song “Toy.”
2018 in Numbers
In Roman numerals, the number 2018 can be represented as MMXVIII. The representation is formed by combining the Roman numerals for 2000 (MM), 10 (X), 5 (V), and 2 (II) to create MMXVIII. When converted to binary, 2018 becomes 11111100010.
Chinese Zodiac 2018
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2018 marked The Year of the Dog, which repeats once in a twelve-year cycle.
However, it’s fascinating to note that each zodiac animal is also connected to one of the five elements – Wood, Fire, Earth, Gold (Metal), and Water. This actually makes 2018 the Year of the Earth Dog, a cycle that repeats every sixty years.
The Chinese New Year doesn’t always fall on January 1st like in the Gregorian calendar. In fact, in 2018, Chinese New Year began on February 16th, due to the unique lunar cycle that guides the Chinese calendar.
Those born in the Year of the Dog are loyal, honest, and trustworthy. They have a strong sense of justice and are known for their protective nature and unwavering loyalty to their loved ones.
Among the distinguished individuals born in the Years of the Dog, we find Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson, both celebrated for their unique talents!
2018 Trivia
In 2018, the treadmill celebrated its 200-year anniversary. Originally, it was designed as a torture device.
It was designed and implemented in British prisons as a way to break the wills of idle prisoners.
It essentially looked more like a wheel you might keep in a hamster cage, and had the added benefit that the forty or so prisoners it held would power various mechanical devices like mills or water pumps!
