All of us had a feeling that the year 2017 was not going to be all sunshine and flowers after experiencing the terrible 2016. We knew that we were in for a shock and sadly we did not predict wrong. 2017 has been an emotionally and physically draining year for most of us. There was just something so exhausting about this year. 2017 has brought about so many permanent changes in the world. Things have taken place that cannot be changed or altered. 2017 has not only changed our personal lives but it has brought changes in the entirety of the world. We have been through, as humanity, so many instances that have rocked our existence. But we have come back stronger and wiser. Below are 15 things that shocked the world in 2017.

15. KEVIN SPACEY? NO WAY

We live in a world where we advocate freedom of choice and rights. But behind closed doors, the same barbaric practices that have no moral grounds take place. This is not the first time that an A-list actor has been accused of serious misconduct. But to come across the news that an actor who has been around for so long in the industry has been involved in this is so heartbreaking and infuriating. It’s none other than Kevin Spacey. He was accused of  misconduct by several actors and it was also said that he hired private investigators to keep the victims from going to the authorities.

14. THE HIGHWAY OF disaster

The highway of death is a highway that connects Kuwait and Iraq. Recently, Kuwaiti authorities have found numerous unexploded bombs throughout the highway and they said that they are from the Gulf War. The authorities have made it a mission to defuse those unexploded bombs as effectively and quickly as possible. There were construction crews that were involved in building buildings who found those active bombs. The contractors said that it is not a surprise. They were warned before that there could be bombs on the site.

13. 4 MEN VANISH

News broke out in Pennsylvania that 4 men had vanished within days of one another. All 4 men knew each other and were related. When authorities were involved, they started an investigation. Within a few days, they arrested a suspect. The arrested man was hiding much more then what was told to the authorities. He was involved with firearms which he was prohibited to keep. They also found a number of firearms on his property. When the public was asked about this incident, they said they believed that there was foul play involved in this case.

12. BRAD PITT’S SHRINK

Mental health is one of the least talked about problems that our world is facing. People have associated mental health with asylums and negative depictions that they see in movies. Brad Pitt has recently revealed in an interview that he had been struggling with alcohol after this divorce with Angelina Jolie. He placed extreme emphasis on the fact that mental health is the most important thing that needs to be kept in mind at all times. If people like him are talking about mental health, then maybe one day the world will take it seriously.

11. CHARLOTTESVILLE INCIDENT

There were rumors about this incident all week but no information about when or where. It was said that white supremacists and nationalists were coming to town for a Unite the Right rally. It was said that they would march in a torchlight procession-a symbolic march meant to evoke the similar Hitler youth marches. The said rumor was true and it played as a catalyst for the horrific 24 hours that followed. The next 24 hours were filled with racial rage, destruction, hate and violence. The protesters barked slogans like ‘Blood and soil’, ‘Jews will not replace us’ and ‘White lives matter’.

10. ANA FARIS AND CHRIS PRATT BREAKUP

Whenever love comes up, the first thing that pops into mind is Ana Faris and Chris Pratt. But as 2017 has ended many good things, we hold it responsible for ending this beautiful relationship too. They were not only great actors but were the epitome of love and all that is sacred and pure in this world. They had been married for 9 years. 9 years in Hollywood time is a lifetime. But it is said that their marriage came to an end because of the Hollywood fame. Everybody knows that not every relationship can withstand the test of the Hollywood effect.

9. SELENA GOMEZ AND HER LUPUS JOURNEY

Selena Gomez is every ’90s baby’s favorite actress. From her show Wizards of Waverly Place to her music career, we followed all of it. As she grew older and left the house of the mouse, she grew up to be the perfect role model for many of us. She gave us amazing movies and even more amazing music. 2017 was not her year in relation to her health. It was reported that she had been diagnosed with lupus, which is an autoimmune disorder. She had to get a kidney transplant too because of that disease. And her best friend gave her the kidney, which ended up saving her life.

8. KENDELL JENNER CONTROVERSY

All of us know that the Kardashian-Jenner clan are always riddled with controversy. When you hear the KarJen names, it’s likely that there is a controversy involved. Recently, the victim of controversy was none other than Kendell Jenner. She shot an advertisement with Pepsi which showed a Black Lives Matter march. And she hands a police officer a can of Pepsi and all goes well. This started nationwide debates that Kendell Jenner is belittling the very important and sensitive subject of the movement. This not only put Jenner in hot water, but it also acted as a means to send even more hate towards her. Later in the Keeping Up with the Kardashians show, she revealed that if she had known that this would have happened, she would have never agreed to do this advert.

7. WE SAY GOODBYE TO CHESTER BENNINGTON

Chester Bennington defined our teen years. The band Linkin Park was every emo kid’s favorite band to listen to. On 20th of July 2017, news circled social media that the lead singer had committed suicide by hanging himself in his hotel room. This not only broke so many hearts but also made people realize that his music always had lyrics that cried out for help. The breaking point for the lead singer was when his very dear friend Chris Cornell died. He died of cardiac arrest, after which people close to the singer said he took it particularly hard.

6. BOMBING AT ARIANA GRANDE CONCERT

On May 22nd, a bombing took place at an Ariana Grande’s concert. The explosion is said to have killed 22 people that included teenagers as well as adults. But this did not keep the singer down. She later organized a concert named One Love Manchester, which was a reply to the terrorist attack. She invited big names like Miley Cyrus, Little Mix, Katy Perry and many others to perform at her concert. She said that nothing will ever come between her fans and her. She also made an effort to help the victims’ families.

5. BEST PICTURE AT THE ACADEMY AWARDS

The Academy Awards are the Harvard of the movie industry. They are a big deal. The 2017 Academy Awards had a big surprise in store for us. The movie La La Land won many hearts and it was said that it would be the winner of the Best Picture award. It was the talk of the town that there was no competition for this movie. But everybody was in for a little surprise. The movie Moonlight won the Academy Award for the best picture. And even the announcer was dazed when he saw the card and the name Moonlight. Apparently, you can win the Academy Award without anyone even knowing our name.

4. HOW BOW DAH GIRL

2017 made many ordinary people stars. And one of those overnight stars is Danielle a.k.a the How bow dat girl. She was an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. But Danielle rose to fame when she was called on the Dr. Phil show. She became the talk of the Internet. She also became the interest of many Youtubers and was asked to come on their channels to make videos. She made an empire overnight. The reason she was on the Dr. Phil show in the first place was that she was a messed up kid who stole and was involved in drug use and robbery. And now thanks to that show, she’s a star.

3. SALT BAE

Salt bae is one of the many people who ruled the Internet overnight. Salt bae is a guy who makes really satisfying videos of cutting huge pieces of meat in a very fashionable manner and then sprinkling salt over them. One might question the sanity of people who watch and share these videos. But this is what happens when you have a camera, an Internet connection and some friends. Becoming a sensation is a piece of cake now. Anyone can do it. You only need an idea and really thick skin to become an Internet sweetheart.

2. GAURI LANKESH’S PASSING

Gauri Lankesh was an Indian journalist turned activist from Bangalore, India. She was known for her ability to stand in the face of adversity and never bat an eye. She spoke about the problems that many of her partners were scared to talk about. Gauri was a woman who worked hard and was ready to live and die for what she believed to be right. She dreamed to live in a more secular, accepting and loving India. But her opponents did not share the same views. She was found dead on the 5th September, 2017. The attackers have still not been found 3 months after the attack.

1. SCANDAL ROCKS OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

In this day and age, there is an app for everything. An app can calculate your leg movements, how much sleep you need and even when your next breakdown is due. It is not a surprise that students have come up with an app that helps students cheat on examinations. At Ohio University, 83 students have been accused of cheating via an app. The app that was used is now among the top ten apps at the app store or Google Play. The app lets you simultaneously chat in different chat rooms at once. The university administration has decided to take action against the accused students.