-
My Birthday
Here's the story of 2016: Me and a friend went to the movies and got dinner.
Here's the story of my childhood birthday parties because it's much more entertaining: I used to go to the same venues every time, either Round Table Pizza or the skating rink, and every time I didn't win Pin the Tail on the Donkey I would cry. I actually cried about someone eating all the olives on the veggie tray once as well. -
First Female President Elected
Taiwan elected the first female president, Tsai Ing-wen, who is also the first Taiwan president who is not married and has held public office prior to their presidency. -
State of Emergency Declared For Flint, Michigan
President Obama declares a state of emergency for Flint, Michigan due to the issue with public water supply. Citizens depended on water from surrounding cities, and the Flint river lead to those who drank it suffering adverse effects. The Department of Health and Human Services found a higher than average lead concentration and people continued to rely on water from nearby areas. -
The Zika Virus Becomes A International Health Emergency
The World Health Organization (WHO) announces that the Zika virus is a international health emergency. In North America, the WHO and 30 other international health organizations announce the outbreak. -
Trump/Sanders Win New Hampshire Primary/Chris Christie Drops Out
Donald Trump wins Republican primary by securing 35.3% of the vote. Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders wins the Democratic primary with a 60.4% of the vote. Chris Christie suffers with low margins of the vote, and drops out of the presidential race. -
Former First Lady Nancy Reagan Passes Away
Former First Lady, actress, and husband to the 40th President of the United States, Nancy Reagan, passes away. She served as First Lady from 1981 to 1989. -
Russian Withdrawal From Syrian Battlefront
Russia withdrawals most of it's forces from Syria, signaling an end to the country's five and a half month airstrike campaign. -
Harriet Tubman Becomes The Face of The $20 Bill
Secretary Jacob Lew announced that Harriet Tubman would replace Andrew Jackson on the 20 dollar bill, marking the first female printed on American currency. -
Obama Orders More Troops to Syria to Fight ISIS
Obama announces that 250 special force troops would be deployed in Syria in order to fight the terrorist group ISIS. -
Leader of Afghan Taliban Killed
Obama announces that the leader of the Afghan Taliban was killed by American forces. Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour was killed by a American airstrike drone which targeted the car he was fleeing in. -
Obama Lifts Ban of Arms Sale to Vietnam
Obama announces that the ban of arms sales to Vietnam will be lifted, after decades of it being in power. The arms ban was a product of the Cold War, and Obama believed it would help increase more peaceful international relations. -
Orlando PULSE Club Masacare
Security guard Omar Mateen attacks a gay night club and murders 49 people, while injuring 53 others. It is debated whether or not it is a terrorist attack or a hate crime, and there were many worldwide events used to honor those who were attacked. -
The United Kingdom Leaves the European Union
The Brexit vote resulted in the United Kingdom beginning the proceedings to leave the European Union. Many countries under the rule of the United Kingdom were upset by the results of the meeting, and Scotland is protesting to join the European Union once more as an individual country. -
North Korea Cuts All Ties With The United States
The United States imposes sanctions against North Korea, saying that their leader was oppressing the rights of the people. In response, North Korea cuts all ties with the United States and all communications will be handled under wartime law. -
The Most Entertaining Story I Could Ever Tell
The River:
During the summertime I went with a few friends of mine to the river, and stayed into the early hours of the morning. We spent the entire time laughing, occasionally driving back to McDonald's and making bunny jokes because they ran over a bunny and I cried for half an hour over it ("It's not even bunny"). Eventually we got a flat tire in Walmart and their dad caught us and we were driven home on a spare at six in the morning. -
ISIS Murders French Priest
Two men under ISIS filmed their attack on a French church, capturing a variety of nuns and parishioners, along with their priest. They forced the priest to kneel before the altar before they slit his throat, and are later killed when attempting to leave the church. -
The United States Launches Airstrikes Against ISIS in Libya
The United States announces that they are launching airstrikes against ISIS in Libya. Furthermore, they report that it has caused severe damage to enemy ranks weeks later. -
Federal Judge Rejects Obama's Transgender Bathroom Regulation
A federal judge rejects Obama's law about transgender teens being allowed to use the bathroom they identify with. He states that the laws protecting people of all sexes are already in place and will continue to protect teenagers identifying as a different gender. Also, he says that it applies to all states and will protect people of all ages. -
North Korea Tests Nuclear Warhead
North Korea studies a nuclear warhead, which proves they have developed lighter and less expensive nuclear weapons that have a higher impact rate. The President of South Korea states that it was the largest nuclear yield he had ever seen. -
The OPEC Cuts Oil Production
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announced a cut in the oil production, going against the drilling for oil at free will that had been a long term policy. It was a new policy accepted in order to boost the price for oil across the world. -
Nobel Prizes Awarded
During the first two weeks of October the Nobel Prizes are awarded per American tradition in Norway and Sweden. They are awarded to numerous people in a variety of fields including physics, economic sciences, chemistry, literature, etc. -
Boko Haram Releases 21 Schoolgirls
The Nigerian Islamic militant group, Boko Haram, released 21 of the 276 school girls that had been held as hostages. It marks the first large release of girls. The Red Cross (international organization) and the Swedish government collaborated with Boko Haram to reach an agreement which allowed the girls to be released. -
Iraqi Forces Enter Mosul
Iraqi forces enter Mosul, an area raided by ISIS (a terrorist group) and their snipers, suicide bombers, and artillery workers. The area had previously been controlled by the Islamic State. Furthermore, they have made significant progress in the area, and the General is quoted saying, "Now is the beginning of the true liberation of Mosul." -
Samsung Buys Harman International Industries
Samsung announced that they would be adopting Harman International Industries for $8 billion. The new asset will allow Samsung to move into the automotive business and bring their technologies into the vehicular industry. Furthermore, with Harman under their ownership, they will be the biggest overseas acquisition to date, which is based out of South Korea. -
Entering A Relationship
November 25th marks the beginning of the relationship that is held by two teenagers who are barely getting by in high school, nonetheless life; and one of them is constantly anxious and the other one just wants some sleep. -
Ozarks Writing Project High School Conference
The High School writing conference was designed for youth to educate them and help them explore the different mediums of writing. Furthermore, it allows them a chance to share their work with their peers at open mic (which occurs at the end of the day). -
The Syrian Government Regains Control of Aleppo
The Syrian government announces that they have regained control of Aleppo, a city which had been under control of terrorist groups and rebel forces for nearly four years. Also, they dropped bombs in the area, which resulted in the death of many rebels and civilians. Currently, the government says they are working on determining the ties between citizens and rebel forces. -
Federal Reserve Officials Announce Raised Interest Rates
Federal Reserve officials announced that they would be raising the interest rates in order to boost borrowing costs. It marks the second rate increase since 2008. Furthermore, many people state that it is necessary in order to keep up with inflation and the market. -
Christmas
Christmas is the celebration in which my family comes together to eat, give each other gifts, and enjoy each other's company. Usually, it results in the hour long debate over our upcoming President and someone leaving the room more than once for a break. -
Semiannual Visit to My Father
The visit made to my father every Christmas holiday in which I endure the endless conversation regarding politics and religion, and even worse: his knowledge about how to lose weight. There are some redeeming qualities about this, like presents and the delicious food available there.