In February 2016, scientists with the LIGO Collaboration announced the first direct detection of gravitational waves, ripples in spacetime predicted by Albert Einstein a century earlier. The discovery opened an entirely new way for humanity to observe and understand the universe.
That summer, the world turned its attention to the Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics, where athletes delivered memorable performances across dozens of sports. NASA's Juno spacecraft also arrived at Jupiter in July, beginning a mission to study the solar system's largest planet up close.
Sports fans celebrated a historic moment when the Chicago Cubs won the World Series, ending a 108-year championship drought and delighting fans across generations. Meanwhile, the mobile game Pokemon Go became a worldwide phenomenon, bringing people outdoors together in a shared cultural moment.
Looking back, 2016 reminded the world that patience and persistence, whether in science or in sport, can lead to breakthroughs worth celebrating.
A brighter side
Notable constructive milestones
The first direct detection of gravitational waves was announced
LIGO confirmed a prediction of general relativity and opened a new way to observe the universe.
2016 on Wikipedia
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