Looking back on 10 years of One Direction

For most, today is just another Thursday in July. But for Directioners, today is an international holiday that marks a decade of the creation of one of the most successful British boybands, One Direction. 

Although band members Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson had initially auditioned as solo artists through the UK's X-Factor, judge Simon Cowell saw more potential in them as a boyband, thus One Direction was born—forever changing my life. 

These past ten years have been a whirlwind of emotions for me, from having a question I wrote answered by Styles when they went to Tampa in 2012, to staying up until 2 a.m. to hear their singles released on Capital FM, a British radio station. 

Whether you have been a stan for the past 10 or so years or pretended to hate them because they didn't fit your indie-alternative aesthetic, here's a timeline of some of the best (and worst) One Direction moments:

2010

Believe it or not, One Direction didn't end up winning the British music competition. But despite placing third, they won the hearts of thousands of teenage girls, which became the key to their great success. 

2012

February 2012 was the year their first single, "What Makes You Beautiful," took over the radio, and it birthed a new anthem for teenage girls all over the world. 

I remember watching the music video in my room filled with One Direction posters I had collected from J-14 magazines, envious of the girl in the video who played Styles' girlfriend. 

A few months later, in May, they released their debut album, "Up All Night" that broke all sorts of records, like earning them the title of the first British group to ever debut at number one in the United States with their first album. So, yes, they are sort of a big deal. 

Ultimately, this era marked the beginning of wearing striped shirts with red pants and reading fanfictions on Wattpad. 

Six months later, they released their sophomore album, "Take Me Home," proving that 2012 was the peak for Directioners because we got two albums (and Malik bleached a strip of his hair) all in one year. It also marked the downfall for Style's fans as he was seen with Ms. Taylor Swift on a walk at Central Park. 

2013

In August 2013, "This Is Us," a documentary film (and complete masterpiece), was released in theaters. It captured the essence of the boyband by showing behind-the-scenes footage of their time on tour. It also brought fans closer to them by showing personal moments from the boys, including footage of Malik buying a house for his family–yes, I did shed a tear during that scene. 

In November, we were blessed with their third album, "Midnight Memories," which departs from their innocent music style to a more pop-rock feel to them we had not heard before. 

2014

This was another busy yet successful year for One Direction. With the release of their fourth album, "Four," a performance on Saturday Night Live in tight tracksuits, and the start of Styles' man bun, the boys were a gift that kept on giving. 

2015

I'm convinced 2015 was the year everything went downhill. Yes, I'm talking about the departure of one of the band's beloved members, Malik, in March. I vividly remember sitting in my AP European History class reading the Facebook post that said he was leaving the band after five years because he wanted to "be a normal 22-year-old." In retrospect, I understand that decision–the boys had spent five consecutive years creating albums and going on tour with barely any break in between. 

 

"Made In The A.M." was the final album released by the remaining four members of the band before they announced their hiatus in December. I won't lie, I definitely admit I thought it was only going to last a year, but nope, it has been a whopping five years since then. 

2016-2020

Since the hiatus, all current and ex-band members have pursued solo careers, two have become fathers, and one of them played a supporting role in a movie. 

Whether or not One Direction gets back together, their 10th anniversary is still one worth celebrating. It symbolizes growth and love, as every member, except for Malik, has thanked their fans for their continuous support in the past decade. 

So here's to the past 10 years supporting a band that has brought happiness to fans like me and to continue to support whatever path they decide to take, whether in a group or solo artists. 

Since the band's hiatus, all current and ex-band members have pursued solo careers, two have become fathers, and one of them played a supporting role in a movie.