2026 is a year of monumental birthday celebrations in science, pop culture, and more. From 2016 nostalgia to inventions that changed the world in 1926 and beyond, let’s celebrate the birthdays of 50 things over the last 100 years!
Turning 10:
Believe it or not, 2016 was 10 years ago! For GenZ, 2016 is a year of nostalgia. Fidget spinners, Pokemon Go, the Snapchat dog filter, Stranger Things, and the iconic bottle flip all celebrate their 10th birthday in 2026.
Turning 20:
Disney hits like High School Musical and Hannah Montana celebrate their 20th birthday this year, along with three big technological superpowers. Twitter and Facebook, the start of the social media world we know today were both founded in 2006. Also turning 20 this year is the Nintendo Wii!
Turning 30:
1996 was a year for sports and iconic dance moves! The Macarena celebrates its 30th birthday in 2026, along with free email. 30 years ago, the Dallas Cowboys won their third Superbowl in 4 years, marking this run one of the most iconic sports moments. Also in 1996 was the assassination of Tupac Shakur, the famous rapper from Harlem NY. Finally, basketball superstar Kobe Bryant began his memorable career 30 years ago!
Turning 40:
40 years ago, the movie Top Gun, along with The Legend of Zelda, were both released. 1986 was a big year for Michael Jordan, as he set a record of 63 points in an NBA playoff game! While sports and pop culture was thriving, 1986 was also a year of loss. The Challenger exploded, leading to the deaths of Christa McAuliffe, Ellison Onizuka, Ronald McNair, Judith Resnik, Dick Scobee, Gregory Jarvis, and Michael J. Smith. The Chernobyl nuclear meltdown also happened in 1986, marking the fatal 40th anniversary of the power plant in Ukraine.
Turning 50:
Some things never go out of style, and this proves to be true based off of the list of things turning 50 in 2026! Believe it or not, the digital camera was invented in 1976, along with Apple, and the trendy shoe, the Birkenstock Boston Clogs! Many people own all three 50 years later! The 3x Oscar winning movie, Rocky was released in 1976, as well as the iconic album: Hotel California by the Eagles.
Turning 60:
1966 was a strong athletic year for the Dee-Mack Chiefs basketball team. The Chiefs won the Mackinaw Valley Conference, going 21-4 on the season! Adam Sandler celebrates his 60th birthday on September 9th. Also turning 60 are the movies Star Trek and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. To all the car lovers, the Chevy Camaro celebrates its 60th birthday in 2026!
Turning 70:
In 1956, Play Doh received its patent, keeping it the classic toy it still is today! The dice game Yahtzee celebrates its 70th birthday, along with the start of the Space Race. Elvis and his controversial dance moves began in 1956 and continued until his death in 1977. Finally, the United States’s slogan “In God We Trust” turns 70 in 2026!
Turning 80:
80 years ago, families in the United States were blessed with the passing of the National School Lunch Act, which provided free or low cost lunches for school students across the country. This act still makes an impact on families today. 1946 was also the first full year of peace after WWII. President Donald Trump will celebrate his 80th birthday in 2026. The classic Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life was released in 1946, meaning it turns 80 this year! Finally, the bikini was invented 80 years ago in 2026, changing swimwear forever.
Turning 90:
1936 was a huge year for sports fans. Jesse Owens, an African American track and field athlete defied the odds by winning 4 gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Owens not only set world track records, but also showed great humanity and persevered through racism and Naziism. The same year, the NBA was founded, along with live sports broadcasting, and the Baseball Hall of Fame!
Turning 100:
In 1926, the invention of the American classic, the Cheeseburger made its way into the hearts and stomachs of millions of people. The children’s story, Winnie the Pooh, made its debut 100 years ago! The SAT and a 40 hour work week both worked their way into millions of lives in 1926. Finally, everyone’s favorite, television! The television was invented and tweaked throughout the 1920s!
The final big birthday that is to be celebrated in 2026 is the United States! This year, our country celebrates its 250’th birthday! Happy Birthday to America and all of the other fun things mentioned!
