This article delves into the 10 most viral pop culture moments in history, ranging from viral trends, memes, hashtags, and historical events that shaped popular culture. From the Korean superstar PSY’s Gangnam Style to the Ellen Selfie at the Oscars in 2014, to the #MeToo movement, to the 2018 release of Black Panther and the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, to the 2019 breakout character Baby Yoda, and the dominance in social conversation of the Chinese-owned app, TikTok. Also included is the tragic death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant in 2020 and the viral meme of Sen. Bernie Sanders at the US Presidential Inauguration in 2021. These moments have helped shape our cultural landscape and left a lasting impact on society.
The 10 Most Viral Moments in Pop Culture History
Pop Culture, a term coined in the 1960s, refers to the popular trends and elements of culture that prevail among the masses. With the advent of social media, pop culture moments became more accessible and global, sending shockwaves across the world. These moments range from viral trends, memes, hashtags, and historical events that shaped popular culture. In this article, we delve into the 10 most viral pop culture moments in history.
1. Gangnam Style – 2012
The Korean superstar, PSY, released a music video in 2012 that went viral worldwide. Gangnam Style, with its catchy lyrics and unique dance moves, became a cultural phenomenon with over three billion views on YouTube, making it one of the most-watched videos on the platform. The song brought K-pop to the international stage, and its impact can still be felt in the pop cultural landscape today.
2. The Ellen Selfie – 2014
The Oscars in 2014 witnessed one of the most shared selfies of all time, Ellen DeGeneres’ Oscar selfie. In a moment that became known as the most retweeted selfie in history, Ellen’s photo of a group of celebrities, including Bradley Cooper, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lawrence, and Meryl Streep, went viral immediately after she posted it. The photo reached 1 million retweets in just under an hour, and today it still holds the record as the most shared tweet ever.
3. #MeToo – 2017
The #MeToo movement was a major pop cultural moment that rocked the world, starting in 2017 after reports of sexual assault and harassment allegations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein broke. Women worldwide began using the hashtag #MeToo on social media, leading to a cascade of stories and calls for change. The movement led to a complete cultural overhaul and policy change, with accountability pressure and widespread social change among gender relations and the workplace.
4. Black Panther – 2018
Black Panther, released in 2018, was one of the most momentous cultural events of the 21st Century. The movie, with an all-black cast, broke box office records and received worldwide critical acclaim. The representation of Black culture and African heritage in the movie captured the hearts of millions worldwide and helped push forward a transformative shift in Hollywood’s casting and industry representation.
5. ‘This is America’ – 2018
Childish Gambino’s music video, “This is America,” released in 2018, had a powerful impact not only on the music industry but on society as a whole. The music video was a commentary on gun violence and racism in America, and the video’s subject matter and message encouraged people to have conversations about social issues that are sometimes difficult to discuss.
6. The Royal Wedding – 2018
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018 was a cultural moment that captured hearts worldwide. The wedding was watched by millions and became the most-watched royal event in history. The excitement around the nuptials included the bride’s African American heritage, the mixing of cultural traditions and the couple’s focus on humanitarian work, which made the wedding a unique, inclusive, and viral event.
7. Baby Yoda – 2019
When Disney released the Star Wars spin-off, The Mandalorian, in 2019. Disney didn’t expect Baby Yoda, a character from the show, to blow up the way it did, and Baby Yoda memes and merchandise had people hooked. Fans worldwide went wild sharing memes, gifs, and making Baby Yoda merchandise marketable, from Baby Yoda plushies to Baby Yoda cereal.
8. TikTok – 2019
In 2019, TikTok, the Chinese-owned social media app, broke onto the scene and became possibly the most momentous pop culture moment of the year. The app, which allowed its users to create 15-second videos, dominated social conversation and became the source of many viral dance trends, memes, and hashtag challenges.
9. Kobe Bryant’s Death – 2020
In January 2020, basketball legend Kobe Bryant’s death, in a helicopter crash, sent shockwaves worldwide. The tragic death of the athlete and his 12-year-old daughter, Gianna, two days before the Super Bowl, struck a chord with millions worldwide. It dominated pop cultural conversation and was, without doubt, one of the most impactful and unforgettable pop culture moments of the decade.
10. Bernie Sanders’ Mitten Meme – 2021
In 2021, a picture of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders at the US Presidential Inauguration went viral on social media. The photo, which shows Sanders sitting cross-legged, wearing a winter jacket, mask and mittens. The viral meme became the go-to image for creating hilarious captions, social commentary, and much more. The viral sensation demonstrated how everyone could enjoy sharing memes, even respected political figures.
Conclusion
Pop culture moments reflect humanity’s collective interests, and they remind us of the things that bring us together. This list is a snapshot of some of the most viral moments that captured the world’s attention over the last few years. They have helped shape our cultural landscape and left a lasting impact on society. Whether they make us laugh or cry, viral moments are an essential part of pop culture history that we will never forget.