A fun and engaging new social media trend is going viral! Users are jumping on the throwback-bus to 2016 and tagging their posts with the new catchphrase “2026 is the new 2016.” All at once, elements of our popular culture from ten years ago, major world events, and even personal experiences are returning. From Instagram to TikTok, users are joyfully reminiscing about an era that a lot of people remember as simpler and more hopeful.
The capstone memory that jumps out is the historic accomplishments of Taylor Swift at the Grammy Awards. Taylor created history at the 57th Grammy Awards by winning the Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year for her groundbreaking album “1989.” The depth of Swift’s impact continues to be felt far and wide throughout the music industry. In fact, her blockbuster song “Bad Blood” took home a Grammy Award that year, cementing her cultural juggernaut status.
A Look Back at 2016’s Cultural Milestones
2016 was marked by significant cultural developments. And then on the policy front, the scene exploded with major music policy hits such as “Love Yourself.” It first entered in November of 2015 and quickly became the hottest song of that year on the Hot 100! On top of that, Beyoncé caused quite a stir with her groundbreaking second visual album “Lemonade,” which was released in the spring of that same year. The Chainsmokers had some help getting onto the soundtrack of summer by their other smash hit “Closer,” with Halsey.
Add in the rapturous welcome of this year’s thrilling debut of Netflix’s first original series, “Stranger Things” in July. The show would go on to be a cultural touchstone for an entire generation. In 1986, Madonna was awarded the highly coveted honor of Billboard’s “Woman of the Year.” This lasting legacy celebrates the extraordinary influence women exercised within Hollywood during that incredible era.
“I think nostalgia is something that has been trending for a while now.” – Leah Faye Cooper
Major Events That Shaped 2016
In addition to a great year for music and entertainment, 2016 was a key year on the global stage. Rio de Janeiro hosted the Summer Olympics and was brimming with an activist spirit. It was the first time that the Games were hosted in any South American nation. More than 11,000 U.S. athletes competed together, taking home a winning 121 medals (46 gold, 37 silver, 38 bronze). 121 glorious victories were achieved by working in tandem!
Donald Trump won the presidency in a controversial election by winning the Electoral College. This was the victory that ensured his improbable ascendancy to the presidency over Hillary Clinton. The long-term consequences of this political revolution continue to shape American society and governance.
The year was not without its challenges. The Zika epidemic emerged in the United States, raising health concerns and prompting widespread public awareness efforts. They made for a wonderful compilation of stories and experiences. Now, people are experiencing them anew through social media.
“People are really longing for a time that felt simpler, a time that felt really optimistic.” – Leah Faye Cooper
The Current Trend and Its Significance
As social media users participate in this new form of nostalgia, they learn more about their own past experiences. As Leah Faye Cooper, cultural critic extraordinaire, noted, it was a lot more un-curated than it used to be. She underscored the fact that social media aesthetics have changed drastically, especially in the last two years.
In that same vein, Cooper warned against the emotionally manipulative nostalgia prevalent within today’s culture. He lamented, “You see it in music, you see it in fashion, you see it with these reboots of TV shows and people remaking movies. Even celebrities are getting in on the action! High profile advocates such as John Legend and Reese Witherspoon are making their case that “2026 is the new 2016.”
