Now Reading: 10 Things That Happened 10 Years Ago: Jan 25-31
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10 Things That Happened 10 Years Ago: Jan 25-31
Stick figures, Flat Earthers, and Barbie gets curves. Here’s what was in the news 10 years ago this week.
Be Like Bill Meme Goes Viral
A smug little stick figure named Bill was the hottest meme on the internet. The “Be Like Bill” format praised common-sense behavior in a sarcastic, passive-aggressive tone – perfect for social media virtue signaling. Love it or hate it, Bill quickly dominated Facebook timelines across the world.
Rapper B.o.B Declares the Earth Is Flat
In one of the weirder celeb moments of 2016, rapper B.o.B made headlines for claiming the Earth is flat. He doubled down on Twitter with diagrams and “proof,” sparking a bizarre feud with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, who tried to science him back to reality. Spoiler: It didn’t work.
Abe Vigoda Dies (For Real This Time)
After decades of premature death rumors and false reports, character actor Abe Vigoda passed away at 94. Best known for “The Godfather” and “Barney Miller,” his death inspired countless “sleeping with the fishes” headlines. Even in death, Vigoda remained a punchline – and those who knew him knew he would’ve appreciated that.
Science Says Being a Bar Regular Is Good for You
A study out of the U.K. suggested that regularly visiting a local pub could actually improve your health and happiness. It wasn’t about drinking – it was about community, routine, and social connection. In other words, “Cheers” wasn’t just a sitcom. Your local watering hole might be your therapy.
“Creedbombing” Went Viral
It became a widespread thing after the Carolina Panthers adopted it as a locker room prank. Derived from the term “photobombing,” Creedbombing is when you sneak up on a friend and relentlessly scream-sing the lyrics of a Creed song – “With Arms Wide Open” being the go-to choice for most. Creed lead singer Scott Stapp was a fan.
Justin Bieber Dies in Zoolander 2 Trailer and People Cheer
Fans couldn’t help but cheer one particular moment in the “Zoolander 2” trailer: Justin Bieber’s dramatic slow-mo death scene. In the film’s teaser, Bieber gets assassinated mid-duckface, to the delight of Bieber-bashers everywhere. It was 2016, and even the Biebs was in on the joke.
Barbie Gets a Body Update: Tall, Petite, and Curvy
Mattel shook up the toy world by introducing three new Barbie body types: tall, petite, and curvy. After years of criticism over unrealistic proportions, Barbie finally got a much-needed refresh. The move was hailed as a step toward inclusion—even if the fashion industry still had some catching up to do.
Rihanna Drops “Anti” – Then Goes Radio Silent
Rihanna’s long-awaited eighth album “Anti” was released January 28th, 2016. Fans devoured the hit “Work,” but the real shock came after: she more or less disappeared from music. A full decade later, her ninth album is still TBD, leaving fans thirstier than ever for “R9”. Makeup empire? Yes. New album? Not yet.
Homeless Man Goes Viral for Accepting Credit Cards
Abe Hagenston made headlines from under a Detroit overpass by becoming the first known homeless panhandler to accept credit cards. An early adopter of Square readers, Abe paired it with his phone and began accepting Visa, Mastercard, and AmEx – safely and securely. Despite the buzz, he admitted people seemed hesitant to give their credit card info to a homeless man.
Tom Hanks Once Again Named America’s Favorite Actor
For what felt like the umpteenth time, Tom Hanks topped the poll as America’s most beloved actor. The honor reflected his decades of box-office hits, good-guy reputation, and general national treasure status. Whether he’s Forrest Gump or Sully Sullenberger, we just can’t help but trust Tom.
