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Step Back Into….2016
- Pittsburgh 55+ Magazine
- 4 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Lord Stanley makes his way back to Pittsburgh
A surprise outcome in the U.S. Presidential Election
By Paula Green
Hurricane Matthew unleashes its fury on Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina on October 7 and 8. The storm led to record-breaking flooding and millions of power outages, and at least 45 deaths. On December 27, Star Wars actress Carrie Fisher died of cardiac arrest. The next day, her mother, actress Debbie Reynolds, passed away from a stroke.
Average: The average income was $48,642, while the median home price was $321,100. The average cost of a new car was approximately $34,112. Gasoline was $2.14 a gallon. A loaf of bread was $1.37. A gallon of milk was $3.20, and eggs sold for $1.68 a dozen. Round steak was $5.90 per pound. Coffee was $4.39 a pound. The price of a movie ticket was $8.79. A first-class stamp was 47¢.
Firsts: This was the year driverless cars shifted into high gear. Uber, the first ride-sharing company, put driverless cars on the road, starting in Pittsburgh. The solar roof was launched. Nike released the Nike Hyperadapt 1.0 a self-lacing shoe. The MiniMed 670G system, an artificial pancreas, is introduced for diabetics. The mini-insulin pump automatically adjusts insulin delivery based on its sensor, which measures blood sugar levels every five minutes.
US Events: In Flint, Michigan, the water supply became contaminated after the city switched water systems. Rock star David Bowie passed away on January 10 from cancer. On April 21, pop superstar Prince died at his Minnesota home at age 57, shocking the music industry and fans worldwide. In June, terror struck when Omar Mateen shot and killed 49 people at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. On October 22, AT&T announced an $85 billion to buy Time Warner.
World News: The Zika virus outbreak continued into 2016, and in February, the World Health Organization declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. On April 16, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Ecuador. The July 14 Bastille Day celebration in Nice, France, turned tragic when a white truck barreled into the crowd, killing 84 spectators. On Sept. 4, Mother Teresa was canonized as St. Teresa of Kolkata. She dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor.
Entertainment: Popular films: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Finding Dory, Captain America: Civil War, The Secret Life of Pets, The Jungle Book, Deadpool, Zootopia, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Florence Foster Jenkins, La La Land, The Magnificent Seven, Finding Dory, and The Sing.
Television: Stranger Things, House of Cards, Modern Family, Blue Bloods, Grey’s Anatomy, Silicon Valley, Criminal Minds, Game of Thrones, Westworld, The Walking Dead, Marco Polo, The Big Bang Theory, The Voice, and This Is Us.
Songs: Hit tunes: “Love Yourself,” “Sorry,” “One Dance,” “Work,” “Stressed Out,” “Panda,” “Hello,” “Don’t Let Me Down,” “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” “Closer,” “My House,” “Seven Years,” “Work from Home,” “Cheap Thrills,” “Stitches,” “Cold Water,” “Needed Me,” “Pillowtalk,” “Starboy,” and “Side to Side.”
Publishing: Best-sellers: Alexander Hamilton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The Wild Robot, Scythe, The Vegetarian, Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir, A Gentleman in Moscow, Pax, When Breath Becomes Air, The Woman in Cabin 10, Ghosts, The Girl Who Drank the Moon, Homegoing, and Salt to the Sea.
Sports: MLB – NFL–The Denver Broncos won Super Bowl 50. NBA – The Golden State Warriors were named NBA Champions. MLB–The Chicago Cubs won the World Series. NHL–The Pittsburgh Penguins clinched the Stanley Cup. The Summer Olympics were held August 5-21, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It marked the first time the Olympic Games took place in South America.
Politics: President: Barack Obama: Vice President: Joe Biden. November 8 - Republican candidate Donald Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States, defeating Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.
Quotes:
“Don’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the further you get.” ~ Michael Phelps
“There are no barriers except the ones in your mind. Dream big, and you will make it!” ~ Adam Walker
“When a person believes in you, when they say you can do it, new doors will open for you.”
~Estrella Navarro