The BIGGEST Pop Culture Moments of 2008, Ranked Chronologically

With 2018 is almost over it’s hard to imagine that 2008 actually happened a decade ago. But before you ready your list of new year’s resolution for 2019, let’s take a moment to relive the some of the biggest pop culture moments from a decade ago which shaped the entertainment industry and our generation as a whole.

2008 was one of the most defining years in American pop culture that served us a killer Britney Spears’ comeback in the form of her hit album Circus, produced the best Batman joker played by late Heath Ledger and introduced the country to Barack Obama’s ‘Yes We Can’ slogan. It was a year where the line between politics and pop culture dissolved, leading to a symbiotic relationship between the two, which saw Barack Obama making his mark in Hollywood as a political celebrity.

2008 was one of the most defining years in American pop culture from Britney Spears’ comeback to Heath Ledger’s brilliant performance as Joker in Batman

JANUARY

Let’s get this throwback show on the road, and what better way to kickstart the year 2008 than with the iconic Britney Spears. The year proved to be unlucky for the then-queen of pop who had a major public meltdown in January and became the face of every magazine and newspaper, being labelled as ‘crazy’ and ‘bipolar’.

In more unfortunate news, the industry was struck by the tragic death of Heath Ledger who passed away from an accidental overdose in his apartment in New York. The devastating news came at a time when Ledger’s career was set to reach new heights with his critically acclaimed role in the film Batman. The actor didn’t even live long enough to receive his Oscar for the brilliant performance.

FEBRUARY

February was a great month for then-presidential candidate Barack Obama who made debut on the entertainment firmament through Will.i.am’s hit music video which promoted the ever-so-popular slogan called “Yes We Can”. Not sure if the two events are correlated, but Obama’s campaign also managed to raise $55 million that month, mainly through crowdfunding resources online.

APRIL

It was the year when a wrecking ball crashed through Miley Cyrus’ career. The singer/actor was known as one of the biggest Disney superstars and a role model for teenage girl until troubling photos emerged in a Vanity Fair magazine in 2008 showing Cyrus’ bare shoulders and back. The photoshoot stirred a severe backlash from Hannah Montana fans, and the singer was forced to apologize for her actions.

JULY

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt welcomed twins in July, 2008

Jolie-Pitt may be no more in 2018, but a decade ago their blossoming love story was on the cover of every magazine. The couple welcomed twins in July, 2008 on their enormous state in France while Heath Ledger’s brilliant portrayal of the Joker continued to fuel the Batmania that had gripped action-lovers everywhere.

AUGUST

Madonna may not look like it, but she actually turned 50 a decade ago in August! The chiselled queen of pop wasn’t the only one who hit the half-century mark. Joining her in this milestone were other renowned celebs like Ellen DeGeneres, Prince, Michael Jackson and Viggo Mortensen.

Madonna may not look like it, but she actually turned 50 a decade ago in August

NOVEMBER

Ah, the month of Obama’s historic victory in the U.S. presidential elections, but the pop culture moment of the year goes to Oprah Winfrey to celebrated the victory of her ‘favorite guy’ by weeping on a stranger’s shoulder. Yes, the President was endorsed by many other celebrities, but this was Oprah, the queen of talk-shows. And some analysts even claim that she managed to influence over a million voters into supporting Obama.

DECEMBER

All’s well that ends well. At least so was the case with Britney Spears who managed to save her career from depths of infamy through an epic comeback in the form a new album called ‘Circus’ which reached number 1 on the top charts within the first week. The world’s pop princess reclaimed her throne.