Great Things That Happened in 2016!

I know it's only the beginning of November and we still have about a month and a half before the new year starts. But this past week has been a very difficult one for our country. Everywhere I look there is hate and criticism, no one is happy and we are just being negative to anyone who doesn't agree with us.

I thought it would be beneficial for us to look back at this past year and realize all the good things that happened. Hopefully this will remind us of the country we are and the people we are and that we never stop fighting till we get what we want!

(you can't tell me this random picture of a turtle smiling doesn't put you in a good mood haha!!!!)

Now it isn't like this list is the gospel and everything on it you are going to agree with, but hopefully by the end you'll see!!!!

1. Scientists may have found the gene responsible for ALS, and funding for the study came from the Ice Bucket Challenge!

2. We figured out a new stem-cell therapy that can halt the effects of Multiple Sclerosis.

3. Solar panels in California started producing enough electricity to power six million homes, which is a new record. And a solar-powered plane flew around the world.

4. Back in July, volunteers in India planted 50 million trees in less than 24 hours.

5. In March, 800 hostages were rescued from the terror group Boko Haram in Nigeria.

6. The number of wild tigers, manatees, and giant pandas is up.

7. While everyone may not agree... Leonardo DiCaprio finally won an OSCAR for "The Revenant"

8. Starbucks all over the country started donating their unsold food to food banks.

9. The hole in the ozone layer finally started healing itself. Scientists have been waiting for it to happen since we banned certain chemicals in aerosols 30 years ago

10. Death by heart disease has decreased by 70% in the United States

11. Two brothers saw color for the first time thanks to specially-designed glasses

12. Dentists are once again providing free care to veterans who need it.

13. Michael Jordan donates 2mil to try and help bridge connection between police and the community.

14. Child mortality is down everywhere and it keeps going down

15. New chemotherapy breakthroughs have increased the 5-year survival for pancreatic cancer from 16% to 27% (and is getting better)!

& of course that isn't all!!!! - To cheer yourself up, see the full list of great things that happened this year!

[VIA: BuzzFeed ]