We’re nearing the end….of the semester. Which means it’s hard for some of us to keep up with pop culture and world news when we have 40 pages of writing due this week (true story-thanks Tulane!). But, have no fear, because during my several study breaks, I have chosen to stay updated on the news and pop culture, aka incessantly read BuzzFeed, Perez Hilton, and CNN. Feel out of the loop? Check out the top 5 newsworthy events that happened this week:
1. Illinois Becomes the 16th State to Legalize Gay Marriage
Shout out to my home state! On Wednesday, November 20th, Governor Pat Quinn officially signed the bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Illinois. “We understand in our state that part of our unfinished business is to help other states in the United States of America achieve marriage equality,” Quinn said moments before signing the bill. Fun fact: Quinn signed the bill on the same desk Abraham Lincoln used to write his inaugural speech in 1851. Oh the equality this desk has seen.
2. Oxford Dictionary Names “Selfie” as 2013 Word of the Year
No need to feel shame in taking selfies anymore. Send all the Snapchats your little selfie heart desires to celebrate the word of the year. I know I will be.
3. November 22nd Marks The 50th Anniversary of JFK’s Assassination
On Friday, November 22nd, the nation commemorated the horrific assassination of President John F. Kennedy. This event, a flashbulb memory for many of our parents, shaped American history and many presidents following JFK have honored his memory. On Wednesday, November 20th, Obama bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom to outstanding Americans, an award ceremony in which JFK established the modern version of. Notable recipients this year included Oprah Winfrey and former president Bill Clinton. JFK was shot just two weeks before the medal’s first award ceremony.
4. New York City Bans Tobacco Sales to Anyone Under 21
Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed into legislation the ban of tobacco sales to anyone under the age of 21. This makes New York City the first large city or state to do so. The hope for this ban is to create a larger inconvenience for teenagers and young adults to smoke cigarettes and to decrease the amount of smokers in this age group. Hooray for breathable air!
5. Adam Brody and Leighton Meester Got Engaged!
I love Adam Brody. We all love Adam Brody. We loved his relationship with Rachel Bilson and we cried when they broke up. As if “The OC” wasn’t enough drama for one week. But then, Seth Cohen found the Summer Roberts of New York City, Blair Waldorf, and all was good again. And now they’re engaged! Yes, I have a hard time differentiating them from their “OC” and “Gossip Girl” characters and their real life personas. But, congrats to Seth and Blair! I mean, Adam and Leighton!