We don't need to remind you of how tough it was to live through 2017, but a look at the most popular tweets of the year is an unsettling reflection on the state of affairs.
Former President Barack Obama's tweet quoting Nelson Mandela came out as the No. 1 most-liked tweet of the year. In August, he took to the platform to share his thoughts in response to the white nationalist protests in Charlottesville. The tweet quickly garnered thousands, and soon millions of likes. It now has over four million likes.
The second most-liked tweet came from Ariana Grande, when she shared a heartfelt response to the tragic terrorist attack that occurred at her concert in Manchester, England. The singer's emotional words left a powerful impact, and her tweet soon garnered over two million likes, prompting an outpouring of interactions from others on social media in support.
Although Twitter can often feel like a disastrous hellscape, in trying times, it often provides an outlet for people to find solace and solidarity in an online community. These top tweets of 2017 may reflect a dark year, but it also shows that for every one person spreading hate, there is an overwhelming amount of others spreading light and positivity. Here's hoping that 2018 can turn things around.
Below is a look at other popular tweets of the year:
