2025 is almost over, and it has been quite the year. With so much happening, a recap of the year’s most memorable moments is much needed.
At the top of our minds is the new administration, with President Donald Trump being inaugurated into office this January, changing the lives of millions. Upon taking office, Trump signed numerous executive orders and legislation, like the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
Trump deployed National Guard troops to major cities, and between his first and second terms, the country has experienced the two longest government shutdowns in US history, with the 2025 shutdown lasting 43 days.
On an international note, Pope Francis passed away last April, leading to the Conclave’s election of the first ever American Pope (Pope Leo XIV) from Chicago, Illinois.
In other news, the long-awaited season five of Stranger Things dropped, five years after the last season’s release. Additionally, the final season of The Summer I Turned Pretty was released in July, with news of a movie coming soon (team Conrad for anyone who’s wondering)!
Notably Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom–much like Belly and Jeremiah–have split up, after having been together for ten years. Not to worry, though, Justin Trudeau (yes, the former Prime Minister of Canada) and Perry began seeing each other this past July.
A crowd favorite show has been Dancing With the Stars (DWTS), with Robert Irwin and Witney Carson winning the latest season. Many watched this season of DWTS closely due to Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck, two wives starring in the most recent season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, participating in the competition.
Labubus were another frequent occurrence this year, with numerous versions including the “24 Karat Gold Labubu.” This craze caused many to engage in a larger discussion surrounding consumerism and its harmful effects on the environment, as Labubus have already become a trend that will end sooner than later, as many of the synthetic dolls have ended up discarded in the trash and crowding Goodwill shelves.
The rise of Labubus was also dubbed a recession indicator by social media. While the US did not formally enter a recession in 2025, it felt like one for many because of rising unemployment, slowing job growth, and high inflation. For many, Labubus seemed to be a way for culture to indulge in simple luxuries during a time of economic uncertainty.
An unforgettable way to remember any year though, is through the words of the year. Last year they were brain-rot, polarization, and demure. This year, the words of the year include rage bait, parasocial, and, regrettably, 67 (is that even a word?).
Finally, as this year comes to an end, it’s necessary to leave a few things for 2025. We would be overjoyed to leave the word of the year, 67, in the dust. Regardless of how you feel about 2025, it’s time to leave it behind as well and welcome 2026 (what is about to be the best year ever!). •
