From Gretzky to Ovechkin: A Journey Through Pop Culture from 1999 to 2025
** NEW RECORD ALERT **
After holding the record for 25 years, retired NHL star Wayne Gretzky’s record for the most career goals was officially surpassed by Washington Capitals player Alex Ovechkin. Gretzky set the record with 894 career goals throughout 1,487 regular-season NHL games before retiring in 1999. Playing for teams including the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers, Wayne Gretzky has gone down in history as one of the best hockey players ever.
When you think about it, 25 years is like a million in pop culture years! Since Wayne Gretzky set his record, the world has seen enough wild fads, memes, and bizarre fashion choices to fill a time capsule. So let’s take a trip down memory lane to relive the most iconic pop culture moments from each year that record stood!
2000: Jenifer Lopez Wore THAT Dress
Has been and always will be THAT girl (Getty Images)
What a way to start off the millennium. J-Lo arrived at the 2000 Grammy Awards in THAT plunging green Versace dress. Oh, by the way, this dress was so Googled that it was credited for creating Google Images.
2001: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone” is Released
Kids who raised a generation (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone)
Giving birth to a whole generation of die-hard Harry Potter fans, November of 2001 is famously known for releasing this saga's first film. Emma Watson was such a cute little gal!
2002: The Justin Timberlake & Britney Spears Break-up
We know it. We all loved it. (Getty Images)
An iconic couple ended their relationship in 2003. At the height of their careers, this denim-wearing, frosted-tips-supporting couple broke up, and pop fans all over the country were devastated. Notice how the “Canadian Tuxedo” is coming back into style?
2003: The Broadway Debut of “Wicked”
The Queens of Broadway (FilmMagic)
The 2003 Wicked cast would be so happy to see the success this title has now. Taking the theater world by storm, Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth really did defy gravity in Wicked’s debut. These women raised the generation of theater junkies that are now cheering on Ariana and Cynthia. We loved this cast and, *spoiler*, loved their cameo in the film!
2004: “Friends” Season Finale
The best of Friends. (Warner Bros.)
Truthfully, this show will live on forever. Everyone’s favorite group of friends dropped the curtain on their 10-season show in 2004. Rachel got off the plane for Ross, Monica, and Chandler bought a house, Phoebe married Mike, and Joey got a sandwich. A bittersweet ending to one of the best sitcoms of all time. We could never get tired of this rewatch.
2005: “Destiny’s Child” Stunned at the BET Awards
Girl group of all-girl groups (Getty Images)
Destiny’s Child looked absolutely ethereal during their 2005 performance of “Cater 2 U” at the BET Awards. Wearing the most insane brown dresses, this girl group lives rent-free in our heads forever. The group disbanded the following year, but they made their mark in the music world.
2006: “High School Musical” Changed Our Lives
I just know we all wanted this red dress (High School Musical)
We’re all in this together, right? 2006 was the year of High School Musical and the year every young girl developed a crush on Zac Efron. HSM director Kenny Ortega is the musical genius we have to thank for this Disney Channel masterpiece and for every song we continue to sing in the shower.
2007: The iPhone
The world’s first iPhone (AP)
Well, we all know how this went. Steve Jobs took to the stage in 2007 to unveil his company’s first multimedia device, the iPhone. The world of smartphones has been a part of history since then, and Apple has become a massive tech monopoly. Also… that might just be the smallest phone I have ever seen.
2008: Barack Obama Becomes the President of the United States
The Obama’s (Getty Images)
In the most historical election to date, 2008 was the year Barack Obama became the first African American president of the United States. Welcoming the world into their life, Barack and Michelle Obama stunned in the White House for two consecutive terms and changed history every step of the way.
2009: Matthew Stafford Joins the NFL
The Detroit Lions QB1 (Getty Images)
2009 marks the year we welcomed Matthew Stafford into the NFL. Stafford started his upstanding career in the league as the No.1 draft pick and was selected by the Detroit Lions. Bringing life back to the previously 0-16 Lions, we Michiganders loved 2009.
2010: Lady Gaga’s Meat Dress
Attracting all the paparazzi (Getty Images)
Remember this? Of course, you do. Lady Gaga arrived at the 2010 VMA Awards dressed in meat. Sparking so much controversy, Lady Gaga has always been unapologetically herself. Oh, by the way, this dress still exists.
2011: “Call Me Maybe” Hit the Radio
The artist behind this overly catchy hit (Carly Rae Jepsen)
Carly Rae Jepsen knew what she was doing when she released “Call Me Maybe” in 2011. Not gaining traction until the following year, this hit was everywhere, and we mean everywhere. Does anyone else remember dancing to it on Just Dance?
2012: The “Hunger Games” Saga Begins
Katniss inspired everyone to get a bow and arrow (The Hunger Games)
Were you Team Peeta or Team Gale? The first “Hunger Games” film was released in 2012, creating an intense fixation on the film and books. Jennifer Lawernce inspired every girl to wear a side braid and leather jacket and has cemented her character in the yearly Halloween costume lineup.
2013: The Fashion Trends
It is just all so… questionable (Getty Images)
It is no lie that the 2010s were a rough time for fashion. Lots of business casual…to the club? Combining obnoxiously large owl necklaces, clip-in feathers, and peplum tops, 2013 was a wild year of fashion. We would be okay if these trends didn’t come back.
2014: The Start of Deflategate
Honestly, we are still confused (Getty Images)
The New England Patriots were the center of a massive controversy in 2014. Named “Deflategate,” the Pats, led by Tom Brady, were accused of deflating their football during the AFC Championship against the Indianapolis Colts. Did it even really happen? We have no idea.
2015: Taylor Swift Tours “1989”
Love this sequin coat (Getty Images)
An album that represented who Taylor is, 2015 was the year of our girl's 1989 tour. Filled with so many memorable songs and outfits, the 1989 tour was the era of the Taylor Swift bob, and honestly, we kind of miss it.
2016: Simone Biles Starts Her G.O.A.T Journey
Awe, look at baby Simone! (REUTERS)
Competing in her first Olympics in 2016, Simone Biles made her mark in Rio. Winning five medals at her first Olympic appearance, Simone shined like the superstar she is.
2017: The Oscars Scandal
Oops… (AP)
Dubbed “Envelopegate,” Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway took to the stage with the wrong envelope, stating La La Land won the Oscar for Best Picture when, in all reality, the real winner was Moonlight. The team from La La Land had already begun thanking people when the mistake was realized, and this moment now lives in infamy.
2018: Mac Miller Passes Away
Look at his sweet smile (Rolling Stones)
In the saddest news of 2018, Mac Miller died of an accidental overdose at the age of 26. In the prime of his career, the music industry lost him too soon. The world gathered to mourn Mac, and Ariana Grande helped us remember him by releasing multiple tracks in his honor.
2019: That Egg on Instagram?
Still have no idea why this was a thing (Instagram/ @world_record_egg)
Honestly, this was the strangest thing ever. In 2019, a picture of a singular egg was posted on Instagram and became the most-liked photo ever. Beating Kylie Jenner’s previous record of 18 million likes, this literal egg now holds the world record with 60 million likes…weird.
2020: Covid 19 Closes the World
We never want to see Times Square empty again (ABC News)
We don’t think we could remember 2020 if we tried. The emergence of the Coronavirus shut down our entire world, literally. This year's fashion trend was masks and hand sanitizer, and staying in was the vibe. What a time to be alive, right?
2021: A$AP Rocky Wears a Blanket
Like, get it, I guess? (Getty Images)
Showing up to the 2012 Met Gala in sleepover couture, A$AP Rocky and Rihanna turned heads with these questionable looks. Comfort over style all day! If he was cozy, then that’s all that matters.
2022: Will Smith x Chris Rock Smackdown
Like, what is happening? (Getty Images)
In 2022, Will Smith turned the internet upside down when he walked onto the Academy Awards stage and smacked Chris Rock square across the face. Smith was banned from attending the Oscars for 10 years and apologized to Chris, but we still don’t understand the outburst.
2023: “Barbie” Captured Everyone’s Attention
What we would give to watch this for the first time again (Warner Bros.)
Margot Robbie appeared in what may be her most important role, inspiring young girls as Barbie in 2022. Capturing the essence of this character perfectly, women everywhere were obsessed with this film. America Ferrera’s monologue…chills.
2024: Kendrick Lamar VS Drake
The feud of the century (The New York Times)
Long story short, Drake poked the bear and practically brought Kendrick out of retirement. Kendrick responded with the most diabolical diss tracks in music history and then performed at this year’s Super Bowl. It is an intense feud, and there is a lot to unpack, but we got some pretty good hits out of it.
2025: Alex Ovechkin Scores 895 Goals
It's time to make room for Capitals player Alex Ovechkin in the NHL Hall of Fame. On Sunday, he scored his 895th career goal, setting a new record and surpassing Wayne Gretzky's previous record of 894 goals. At 39 years old, Ovechkin has been in the league since 2005 and has played with the Capitals for his entire career. With the season and his career ongoing, we can expect his goal tally to increase even further!