This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Twitter hashtag.

Before Twitter slid through and revolutionized the game, this symbol right here was most popularly referred to as a pound sign. Positioned on the bottom right of your telephone key pad, its main purpose in life was to provide a means of communicating with automated telephone voice systems (i.e. "To speak with a customer service representative, please press the pound sign").

Thanks to the brilliant minds at Twitter, this little guy has become the world's most powerful character. #GloUp

Photo: Centerlyne                                                               

Used to classify posts by topic, the Twitter hashtag has united communities, amplified voices and set off whole entire movements.

When measured by volume, it can tell you what topics are top trending across the world at any given moment. It has changed the way we communicate, receive news and process information. Whether you interact with Twitter or not, the hashtag is an #OG and should be respected as such.

To celebrate a full decade of hashtags, we pay homage to 10 of the livest, litest, wokest moments and the most hilarious challenges of #BlackTwitter hashtag history. Let the countdown begin!

1. #BlackLivesMatter

Started by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi, #BlackLivesMatter was created in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the murder of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. What began as a response to the anti-black racism that permeates society is now an international movement that brings people together both physically and ideologically, sparking dialogue and encouraging social action.

2.
#SoGoneChallenge

In 2016, Black Twitter randomly decided to bless timelines with a throwback ode to R&B recording artist Monica's 2003 hit song, "So Gone." The Missy Elliot-produced track inspired an impromptu freestyle cypher using hashtag, #SoGoneChallenge, and we lived for every minute of it!

3. #GrowingUpBlack

While black culture is far from monolithic, there are some common experiences you just can't escape. In 2015 Black Twitter landed #GrowingUpBlack on the worldwide trending list, with an ode to the memories and commonalities of growing up black.

4. #AskRachel

In 2015 Rachel Dolezal, then president of her local NAACP chapter, was outed by her parents as a white woman. After learning that Dolezal had been passing herself off as black for over a decade, Black Twitter lost its mind! What followed was a series of quizzes to #AskRachel in order to see if she was really 'bout that life.

5. #StayMadAbby

In 2008 Abigail Fisher applied to the University of Texas at Austin and was denied admission. She then filed suit, alleging that the university had discriminated against her on the basis of her race. After a U.S. District Court upheld the university's admissions policy, Fisher appealed the case to the Supreme Court. When the Supreme Court upheld affirmative action in college admissions, #StayMadAbby was born, and Black Twitter exhibited zero chill.

6. #OscarSoWhite

Angry about the fact that actors of color were routinely excluded from being recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, April Reign vented her frustrations using the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite. Not only did she start a much needed conversation, but the movement she created influenced The Academy to double its number of women and minority members.

7. #LoveWins

After President Barack Obama took to Twitter to announce the Supreme Court's same-sex marriage ruling, #LoveWins became the site's most viral hashtag about marriage equality.

8. #PaulasBestDishes

In 2013, celeb chef Paula Deen found herself in hot water after a former employee filed suit accusing the southern cook of racial discrimination.  When word got out that Deen was quite fond of using the n-word, and even thought it was a good idea to host an antebellum themed event with black waiters dressed as slaves, @BrokeyMcPoverty and @Jeffuhz decided to turn Paula's racists lemons into sweet southern lemonade. They created #PaulasBestDishes and Black Twitter responded with a hilarious menu.

9. #BlackGirlMagic

#BlackGirlMagic is an ode to the beauty, grace, and strength of everyday black women who thrive and flourish and own their magically amazing multidimensionality. #FUBU

10. #MannequinChallenge

This viral video trend had everyone freezing in action like mannequins with Rae Sremmurd "Black Beatles" playing in the background. You know we had to take it to the full out extreme.

Ten years of hashtags, and #BlackTwitter is still undefeated!

BlackTwitterTWITTER