It’s kind of hard to believe that 2008 was more than a decade ago. Was it really that long ago when Britney Spears shaved her head off because of a massive meltdown? Or when Obama became the first black president of USA? Kind of surreal, right? Ten years passed by so quickly. I could have sworn it was 2008 just yesterday.

We’ve listed some of the most iconic 2008 things and events—from movies, songs, and fashion. Some will give you a bout of nostalgia, while others… let’s just say we’re thankful we left them in 2008.

The birth of the Twilight Movie

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Oh yes, the mania for vampires in all their pale-faced, bloodsucking, and glittery glory shot up that year. Edward Cullen became everybody’s ideal guy and girls dreamed of having their own vampire romance, and being called someone’s “personal brand of heroine.” Cringe.

Beyonce created an anthem for single ladies

In 2008, Beyonce showed the world her alter ego, Sasha Fierce, and with that came the endlessly popular track “Single Ladies.” Every single lady (and gent) jived to the song, while everybody’s motto became “If you like it, then you should put a ring on it.”

Headbands were trendy AF

Thanks to Gossip Girl’s Blair Waldorf, headbands were really a big thing in fashion in 2008. Wide printed headbands with ribbons,  thin plastic headbands, boho headbands–if you got one, you were considered fashionable and trendy.

Black tights and leggings as pants

For some odd reason, wearing long shirts over leggings (or even wearing shorts over bright-colored leggings) was really a thing back then. Do you remember those leggings that even had a lace patterns at the end?

The Jonas Brothers dominated the TV and music scene

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Brothers Kevin, Joe, and Nick were the talk of the town with the debut of the movie Camp Rock and their incredible boy-next-door looks. I bet you everyone even had their own personal favorite Jonas brother. Mine was Nick).

Shutter shades

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Kanye West started the trend for shutter shades, and weirdly enough, a lot of people were on board with it. What were we thinking when we thought that shades with blinds were cool?

Heath Ledger’s passing and legacy

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Dubbed by some as the best Joker in all of Batman history, Heath Ledger’s sudden death shocked everyone. He died before the release of The Dark Knight and was posthumously given the Best Supporting Actor award at the Oscars.

By Bea Amador
Art by Isabel Drilon