I believe we can all agree now that it is over, that 2017 was an utter train-wreck of a year. With an increase in violence across the world and tragedy here at home, there was no shortage of reasons to want to get out of that year as soon as we could.
However, now that we have officially entered 2018, we seem to all feel a little more optimistic about things. In fact, there's plenty of evidence to suggest that this annum is going to be a huge improvement over the last, but not without danger...
From politics to sports, favorable zodiacs to really cool scientific progress, here are the top 6 reasons why 2018 is the year to watch!
A Royal Wedding
Probably the happiest thing we can all look forward to is the wedding between Prince Harry and his fiance Meghan Markle. Last year, we received news that the prince had finally popped the question to the famous actress, and she said yes!
In November, the couple announced further details about their big day, setting the wedding date for May 19th. The last royal union was between Prince William and Kate Hudson, on April 29th, 2011, nearly seven years ago.
While the soon-to-be Duchess is definitely not your average royal, the couple will be keeping with most, if not all, traditions of the British monarchy, including standard military training for the bride-to-be.
We can't wait for the wedding day!
South Korean Olympic Games
With another set of Olympic Games this year, the world is excited to cheer on the latest in a championship that has been around for thousands of years. The 2018 Winter Olympic Games will be the 51st edition of the modern revival since they were renewed in 1896.
While the international sporting event is already significant in its own right, this one has everyone watching to see what happens with South Korea's unpredictable neighbor.
North Korea has always applied pressure to its southern border and in 2017 the tension seemed at its breaking point with missile launches and military defections. The country's dictator, Kim Jong-un, has since announced that he wishes the best for South Korea's events, so perhaps this could be the beginning of a better relationship between the two nations.
What does 2018 have planned for America, and more importantly, you?
Space Tourism
If you thought your prepaid cruise was an expensive vacation, imagine paying to go on a literal "out-of-this-world" adventure!
Two lucky people will have the chance of a lifetime this year, going on a week-long trip into space with American tech giant Elon Musk's company, SpaceX.
Fitness and training has already for the space voyagers, who will be the first humans to travel past low Earth orbit since the last Apollo mission in 1972.
Zodiac Predictions
While the new year has already begun here in the United States, the Chinese horoscope doesn't reset until February.
The animal sign of 2018 is that of the Dog, which is representative of dialogue and solidarity, something the world desperately needs.
While everyone has a zodiac sign specifically meant for them, the Year of the Dog highlights the push towards lifestyle changes in general. Perhaps this is the year that you finally make those big decisions!
This year is also an important time to take a look back at history and see how far we have come, and what lays in store for us, for better and for worse.
Anniversary
As we move through this century, it is revealing to see where we were decades and decades ago, and if we have really learnt any lessons from that time.
In 2018, we reach the 100 year anniversary of the end of World War 1, the first time that most of the world's nations actively engaged in combat in multiple continents. The war saw over 70 million soldiers fighting around the world, and over 16 million deaths in the tragic battle for power that would unfortunately be eclipsed several years later.
On a lighter note, we are also at the 50th anniversary of the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which prohibited discrimination concerning housing for American citizens regardless of race.
The past also provides us with a chance to glimpse the future, something one individual tried to do nearly 500 years ago.
WW3?
While many are optimistic about this new year, there are those who say the future has been predicted to bring misfortune to all, and might start the end-times.
Nostradamus was a seer who lived in the 1500s, and wrote a book called Les Propheties, which has reportedly foretold many of the major events of the past several centuries.
According to the book, Nostradamus predicted the rule of Napolean, Hitler, and even the rise of ISIS.
Interpretations of the text seem to call for a large-scale war to break out between two global powers, that sends the world spiraling into oblivion. The human race will survive, but at a massive cost.
Could it be true?