#Hashtag10: 10 favourite hashtags for 10 years

Ten years ago today, the hashtag was born.

how do you feel about using # (pound) for groups. As in #barcamp [msg]?

— ⌗ChrisMessina (@chrismessina) August 23, 2007

Since then, it’s been a decade of political movements, silly trends and old people on Twitter not having a clue how to use them. So, in celebration, here’s a list of ten of our favourite hashtags that have blessed us over the last ten years.

#PopeBars

God is the Father,but all yall are my sons, Pray I don’t take your girl and make her one of my nuns #PopeBarspic.twitter.com/KyfxjvRhUF

— TheNegroStableBuck (@NovaBordelon_) November 30, 2015

#PopeBars began in 2015 when an image of Pope Francis surfaced, looking like he was in the middle of a rap battle. It made a resurgence this year when a new photo made its way onto the web, and we’re really glad it did.

the last pope was tacky sportin’ too much ice / get my bling and stay humble through the power of christ #PopeBarspic.twitter.com/WXF8bNgJdk

— t-pak (@skiesdivided) July 19, 2017

#TheDress

This dress broke the internet: http://t.co/DCbfGp2jln #TheDress pic.twitter.com/jjjGPdfuqO

— CNBC International (@CNBCi) February 27, 2015

Not so much a favourite as it is a moment in history that need not be forgotten, #TheDress sparked online debate like never before. Lines were drawn in the sand, friendships were ruined, shrieks of frustration were heard around the world.

Thank you, #TheDress, for allowing us to cut the Team Black and Blue members out of our lives for good.

Guys 2015 is coming to a close. Let’s settle this once and for all. What color is #TheDress?

— Travis Dunnette (@TravisDunnette) December 30, 2015

#ExplainAFilmPlotBadly

Giant Man abducts Eleven Year Old Boy. Tells him he’s special and wants to show him magic #ExplainAFilmPlotBadlypic.twitter.com/X6F8t8xNoy

— Explain A Plot Badly (@ExplainAPlotBad) August 21, 2017

#ExplainAFilmPlotBadly did exactly what it says on the tin, and it was an exercise in examining movies from points of view you may not have before. It was also a lot of fun.

Turns out Rock & Roll was invented by a time travelling middle class White boy from the suburbs. #ExplainAFilmPlotBadly

— scriblit (@Scriblit) September 6, 2014

#EmojiArtHistory

#emojiarthistory 🐒👨🐦😼🍃🍂🌿🌿🍂🍃 Frida Kahlo, self portrait with thorn necklace and hummingbird pic.twitter.com/bh1uQPbT3C

— Tisikkirlir Kilibink (@kelebenk) February 21, 2013

Moving from film to fine art, #EmojiArtHistory was a way of merging technology and art in a way that probably didn’t do either any justice. The hashtag was made popular in 2013 — a much simpler time — and had loads of Twitter users picking up their phones to create their own masterpieces.

#emojiarthistorypic.twitter.com/c4550v1vGb

— Charles LeBlond (@charlesleblond) November 5, 2013

#IAmMajor

#IAMMAJOR pic.twitter.com/6vIyaiAMft

— Audrey Laverne (@audrey_La101) March 25, 2017

More recently, in a response to the live action Ghost in the Shell remake, #IAmMajor made use of the film’s own marketing strategy to critique the alleged white-washing of its cast. Twitter users, angry that Scarlett Johansson was cast in the role of a Japanese woman were out to be petty, dramatic, and take a stand.

It also fuelled the trolls.

I am so sorry #IAmMajorpic.twitter.com/ktB3w4D08l

— OneWing (@OneWingedDash) March 15, 2017

#SelfieOlympics

Yall remember this? lmao twitter OGs do. #SelfieOlympics 😂 pic.twitter.com/hLonvrlDP9

— Silky Johnson (@yg_jenks) August 15, 2017

A trend meant to separate the gods from mere men, #SelfieOlympics saw many a Twitter user risking their life for some likes, followers, and that elusive internet fame. If nothing, the trend is a reminder of when Twitter was fun and impulsive and not littered with hate.

TOOO INFINITY. AND BEYOND. #SelfieOlympicspic.twitter.com/rCNzMbKi6w

— RayyXO. (@ThatRRLife) January 3, 2014

#MissSAChallenge

When you don’t know who owned the book before you #MissSAchallenge pic.twitter.com/g229PbgisH

— Metanoia (@metamakesmusic) July 10, 2017

A few months back, Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters was pictured at a food drive wearing gloves with black children. It caused an uproar on Twitter, where many thought she was trying to keep herself clean from the kids.

The #MissSAChallenge encouraged users to take pictures wearing gloves or other protection during unnecessary activities. Nel-Peters eventually called for those taking part in the challenge to volunteer for charity.

Hey SA , here’s my challenge to you… #misssachallengepic.twitter.com/MaeT6Q31jJ

— Demi-LeighNel-Peters (@DemiLeighNP) July 6, 2017

#SocialMediaBlackout

DONT KNOW IF WE MUST TWEET TO LET EVERYONE KNOW IF WE ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE BLACK OUT OR WHAT…CONFUSED😕😕😕 #SocialMediaBlackout pic.twitter.com/b9ddAgWVSa

— 🇿🇦AWOL™🌎 (@awol_bbm) June 21, 2017

Remember that time we were meant to be boycotting social media to protest high data prices in South Africa, but instead ignored it so hard that #SocialMediaBlackout itself trended? It was quite the time.

The awkward moment when #SocialMediaBlackout is trending… on #socialmedia….

— Nicola Joe Bruns (@nicolajoee) June 21, 2017

#FF

#FF My evil galactic family @IAmCreeSummer & @AJLoCascio #VoltronLegendaryDefender

— (((Neil Kaplan))) (@NeKap) August 18, 2017

#FF, or Follow Friday is the most tweeted hashtag, because all we really want is someone who’s going to be interested in our opinions. Nowadays, most tweets with the hashtag are from spam bots, but there was a simpler time when people would promo each other just because they liked them.

Help me get this video out there!

RT and share with your friends! #FFhttps://t.co/32Xm0CnOYrhttps://t.co/ggWsxNf9Fu

— FabvL (@FFabvL) August 20, 2017

#Hashtag

Oh shit guys this non-stressful life is soon coming to a quick halt #September #School #Hashtag

— VIVI➰▫️ (@ughhidkk) August 20, 2017

The only people using the #Hashtag on days it isn’t its birthday are people who have no idea how they work — and sometimes it’s just fun to peruse.

The weekend I leave DC, @AaronRodgers12 comes to Hamilton’s. #midrange#packers#eclipse#hashtag #

— Jonathon W. Matthews (@sirjwm) August 20, 2017

Happy birthday, hashtags. Here’s to another ten years of organised chaos.