The 2010s
Unforgettable history-defining moments shaped the 2010s, both positive and negative. The decade began with a slow and uneven recovery from the Great Recession of 2007-09, followed by the emergence of the Occupy Wall Street Movement, where young activists around the country protested economic inequality and corporate greed. Soon after, three black female activists utilized the Black Lives Matter hashtag on social media to shed light on police brutality against people of color. Similarly, the #MeToo movement gained prominence in 2017, bringing awareness to issues of sexual harassment and sexual abuse of women. These modern-day activist movements were fueled by the rise of social media and the phenomenon of content going viral.
Politically, the decade saw significant division during the 2016 presidential election, with Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, the first female presidential nominee of a major U.S. political party, facing off against Republican nominee and eventual winner Donald Trump. Toward the decade's end, Trump became the third president in U.S. history to be impeached.
Numerous hurricanes and tropical storms, such as Sandy, Harvey, Irma, Maria and Michael struck the U.S., with scientists attributing their increasing intensity and frequency to climate change. Young climate activist Greta Thunberg gained international recognition for her efforts to raise awareness about climate change. Gun violence remained a pressing issue, with mass shootings occurring in schools, grocery stores, theaters, races and nightclubs.
The 2010s also witnessed significant advancements in LGBTQIA+ rights, including the legalization of same-sex marriage in 18 countries. The Chicago Cubs broke a 108-year losing streak by winning the 2016 World Series, and Simone Biles made history as the most decorated gymnast, winning a total of 25 world medals and 19 gold. Additionally, more people and organizations began embracing eco-friendly practices, such as banning plastic straws, phasing out plastic bags and opting for solar panels and hybrid electric cars. Technology continued to play a growing presence in everyday lives, with the wide adoption of tablets and wireless headphones, ride-sharing apps such as Uber, and more social media networks, including Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.
23 chapters were installed during this decade.
The Eta Iota Chapter (Rockhurst) was installed on April 13, 2013.