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Twitter touts news credentials with #ThisHappened campaign to showcase defining moments of 2016

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By Rebecca Stewart | Trends Editor

December 6, 2016 | 4 min read

Twitter is looking to showcase its news and real-time credentials with a campaign on the platform that seeks to shine a light on the "moments and memories that defined 2016".

Twitter #ThisHappened 2016

Twitter touts news credentials with #ThisHappened campaign to showcase defining moments of 2016

In a blog post penned by the social network's chief marketing officer, Leslie Berland, the social network revealed the most buzzworthy stories from the past 12 months, and invited fans to share their own experiences.

Twitter, which celebrated its 10th birthday in March, also revealed its biggest global trends for the year which comprised everything from the fad that was Pokemon Go through to the Game of Thrones. Topping the list of global trends was Rio 2016, which surprisingly pipped the US election to the post despite the run up to Donald Trump's shock win clocking up more than 40 million tweets on polling day alone. Augmented reality flash in the pan Pokemon Go came in third, closely followed by the 2016 Uefa European Championships and the Oscars.

Twitter Global Top Trends

In a year marked by celebrity passings, including those of David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Prince, and Muhammad Ali, #RIP forbiddingly found its on to the list at number nine, while Jon Snow and co helped secure Game of Thrones the tenth slot. When it came to the most retweeted posts of the year, a gamer from Spain, Elrubius, took first place thanks to a one-word update which was part of a competition to help him celebrate reaching 20 million subsribers on YouTube.

One Direction's Harry Styles took the crown for the second most retweeted update after quoting a Taylor Swift song to celebrate his 22nd birthday.

In third place was an inspirational quote from Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

Over the course of 2016 Twitter has been trying to bill itself as the place to be for real-time news and events. Earlier this year it underwent a brand refresh, changing its strapline to 'See What's Happening'.

"Twitter is where you go to see what’s happening everywhere in the world right now. From breaking news and entertainment to sports and politics – from big events to everyday interests with all the live commentary that makes Twitter unique," asserted Berland at the time.

US Presidential Election Rio Olympics Twitter

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