Every September 29, YouTube has been full of unforgettable moments — from viral music videos and iconic movie trailers to breaking news and global events.
Over the years, fans watched party footage of Diddy, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z go viral in 2024, Rick Ross & Meek Mill drop hits in 2023, and Ed Sheeran team up with Pokémon in 2022.
Humanitarian rescues, record-breaking music videos, and historic political moments also marked this day.
Use the year selector below to explore the top videos from each year and relive the most exciting YouTube moments — from 2005 all the way to today.
Many more clips are waiting for you in each year’s timeline!
2024 – New party footage of Diddy, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z went viral. Retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre revealed he has Parkinson’s disease.
On September 29, 2024, exclusive party footage featuring Diddy, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z spread quickly online, fueling discussions about their presence at high-profile events during a time of legal controversy surrounding Diddy. The viral video offered fans a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of music’s most powerful couple. On the same day, Brett Favre publicly announced his Parkinson’s diagnosis, a revelation that made global headlines and marked a historic moment in sports and health news.
2023 – Rick Ross & Meek Mill released SHAQ & KOBE. A major trial involving Donald Trump was set to begin.
In 2023, music and politics shared the spotlight in unexpected ways. Rick Ross and Meek Mill’s release of SHAQ & KOBE dominated hip-hop discussions, with the music video quickly gaining millions of views across YouTube and social media. The song’s title paid homage to the legendary NBA duo, adding cultural weight. Meanwhile, Donald Trump faced a high-profile trial that sparked heated debates, trending hashtags, and nonstop coverage, proving how entertainment and politics often collide in public discourse.
2022 – Ed Sheeran released the song “Celestial” in collaboration with The Pokémon Company. The track premiered on September 29 and was featured in the credits of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, with a special remix by Toby Fox in the DLC. Directed by Yuichi Kodama and illustrated by Yu Nagaba, the music video blends real-life scenes of Ed with hand-drawn Pokémon like Snorlax and Lapras, creating a nostalgic and magical atmosphere that quickly resonated with fans worldwide.
2021 – A humanitarian vessel disembarked dozens of African migrants in Italy. The footage went viral as international news highlighted the humanitarian crisis. NGOs cited the video in reports, and the story generated over 1.5 million shares on social media platforms, raising awareness about migrant issues.
The rescue operation was carried out by the Ocean Viking, a ship operated by the French NGO SOS Méditerranée, which rescued 438 migrants over two days in the Mediterranean. The vessel was later assigned to the distant port of Ancona in central Italy, a move criticized by humanitarian groups for delaying aid to survivors. The incident underscored the challenges faced by rescue organizations amid Italy’s increasingly restrictive migration policies.
2020 – A viral TikTok video featuring Nathan Apodaca skateboarding while drinking cranberry juice and lip-syncing to Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” gained widespread attention, leading to a significant increase in streaming for the song. Machine Gun Kelly released the music video for “Drunk Face” on September 29, 2020, which garnered millions of views and showcased his relationship with Megan Fox. Netflix premiered the trailer for “Holidate,” a romantic comedy starring Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey, which quickly gained popularity online. In Indonesia, students rallied against proposed changes to the corruption law, highlighting the growing influence of youth activism in the region.
2019 – Indonesian students protested against corruption law reforms.
In September 2019, tens of thousands of university students across Indonesia organized mass protests in response to the government’s revision of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Law. The new law was seen as weakening the KPK’s authority, a move that sparked widespread outrage among the youth. The protests, which took place in cities including Jakarta, Surabaya, and Makassar, were the largest student-led demonstrations since the 1998 riots that led to the fall of President Suharto’s regime. Demonstrators clashed with police, resulting in casualties and injuries. The movement highlighted the growing political activism among Indonesian students and their commitment to preserving democratic reforms. The government’s response included deploying riot police and firing tear gas to disperse crowds. Despite the crackdown, the protests led to the postponement of several controversial bills, including the revised criminal code, and marked a significant moment in Indonesia’s democratic development.
2018 – At the UN, Donald Trump declared U.S.–North Korea relations “very good.”
In his address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 25, 2018, President Donald Trump emphasized the positive developments in U.S.–North Korea relations, stating, “We now have a very good relationship with North Korea.” This remark came after his historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore earlier that year, where both leaders signed a joint statement committing to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Trump’s statement at the UN was met with mixed reactions; some analysts viewed it as a sign of diplomatic progress, while others expressed skepticism about the lack of concrete steps toward denuclearization. The official UN footage of his speech went viral online, amassing over 3 million views. Analysts debated the statement’s implications for international diplomacy, and the video was widely cited in political news outlets.
2017 – On September 29, OneRepublic & Seeb released the official music video for Rich Love.
This tropical house-pop track marked a fresh sound for OneRepublic, blending catchy melodies with smooth vocals. The official music video, directed by Isaac Rentz, quickly gained millions of views on YouTube. “Rich Love” charted internationally, peaking at number 97 on the ARIA Singles Chart in Australia and number 40 on the Irish Singles Chart. It also ranked 49th on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs year-end chart for 2017. The song’s success highlighted the growing electronic-pop crossover trend in mainstream music.
2016 – On September 29, Ghost released the official music video for Square Hammer.
The video quickly went viral, gaining millions of views and widespread acclaim for its theatrical and horror-inspired visuals. Directed by Zev Deans, it pays homage to 1920s expressionist horror films and features occult symbolism, with characters like Papa Emeritus III and Cardinal Copia. “Square Hammer” also topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in January 2017, making Ghost the first Swedish band to achieve this milestone. The release solidified Ghost’s rise in the modern rock and metal scene.
2015 – On September 29, 20th Century Fox released the official trailer for The Revenant.
The trailer quickly went viral, amassing millions of views across platforms. Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and featuring cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki, the trailer captivated audiences with its breathtaking visuals and intense scenes, including a bear attack and Leonardo DiCaprio’s harrowing journey for survival. The film, based on true events, generated significant anticipation for its release. It premiered on December 16, 2015, and went on to gross over $533 million worldwide, earning multiple Academy Awards, including Best Director for Iñárritu, Best Actor for DiCaprio, and Best Cinematography for Lubezki.
2014 – On September 29, Maroon 5 released the official music video for Animals.
The video quickly went viral, amassing millions of views and sparking widespread discussions online. Directed by Samuel Bayer, the video features lead singer Adam Levine and his wife, supermodel Behati Prinsloo. The storyline portrays Levine as a butcher who becomes obsessed with a woman he encounters, leading to disturbing and controversial scenes. The video was criticized by various organizations, including RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), for trivializing stalking and promoting dangerous behavior. Despite the backlash, the video garnered significant attention and contributed to the song’s commercial success, which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Platinum in the United States.
2013 – On September 29, electric car enthusiasts gathered for a showcase.
The event footage quickly went viral among tech and eco-friendly audiences. The video highlighted early adoption trends in electric vehicles, inspiring forums and media outlets to discuss sustainable transport innovation. Notably, the 27th International Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS27) was held in Barcelona, Spain, featuring a “Ride, Drive and Charge” zone where the public could test various electric vehicles. This event underscored the growing interest and investment in electric mobility during that period.
2012 – Top country stars celebrated at ACM Honors.
2011 – On September 29, Adele released the official music video for Someone Like You.
The music video quickly became a global sensation, garnering over 1 billion views on YouTube. Directed by Jake Nava, it features Adele performing in a simple, black-and-white setting in the empty Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord in Paris, emphasizing raw emotion and vulnerability. The song, from her album 21, resonated deeply with audiences, topping charts in multiple countries, including the UK, US, Australia, and Canada. Critics praised Adele’s powerful vocal performance and the minimalistic video style, which inspired numerous covers, tributes, and parodies online. The video solidified Adele’s status as one of the leading voices in contemporary pop and soul music.
2010 – On September 30, Eminem and Lil Wayne released the official music video for No Love.
The video quickly gained popularity, amassing millions of views across platforms. Directed by Chris Robinson, it tells the story of a bullied boy who finds strength and motivation through the music of Eminem and Lil Wayne, ultimately standing up to his tormentors. The video was praised for its powerful message and cinematic quality. “No Love” was released as the third single from Eminem’s album Recovery on October 5, 2010, and features a sample of Haddaway’s 1993 hit “What Is Love”. The song achieved commercial success, peaking at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charting in several other countries. It has been certified Platinum in the United States and has surpassed 1 billion streams on YouTube Music as of September 2025.
2009 – On September 29, BBC’s Last Chance to See aired a memorable segment featuring a rare encounter with a kākāpō parrot.
The episode, hosted by Stephen Fry and zoologist Mark Carwardine, showcased the critically endangered kākāpō, a flightless nocturnal parrot native to New Zealand. During the filming, a male kākāpō named Sirocco mounted Carwardine’s head in an attempt to mate, leading to Fry’s now-famous commentary: “You are being shagged by a rare parrot.” This humorous and unexpected moment quickly went viral, amassing millions of views and sparking widespread discussion online. The incident brought global attention to the plight of the kākāpō, highlighting conservation efforts for this unique species. Sirocco’s fame led to his appointment as New Zealand’s “spokesbird for conservation,” and he remains an ambassador for the species today.
2008 – On September 29, Queen released the remastered official music video for The Invisible Man.
The video quickly gained popularity, amassing millions of views across platforms. Directed by David Mallet, the original 1989 video featured a futuristic setting with the band members portrayed as holographic projections. The remastered version, released in 2008, enhanced the visual quality to high-definition, bringing new life to the iconic imagery. “The Invisible Man” was the third single from Queen’s 1989 album The Miracle, written by drummer Roger Taylor. The song showcases Taylor’s distinctive vocal style and features a prominent bassline. The remastered video sparked discussions among fans about the band’s legacy and the evolution of music videos in the digital age.
2007 – On September 29, Timbaland released the official music video for The Way I Are.
The video quickly gained popularity, amassing millions of views across platforms. Directed by Hype Williams, the video features a futuristic setting with vibrant colors and dynamic choreography, complementing the song’s innovative production. “The Way I Are” was the lead single from Timbaland’s second studio album, Shock Value, and features guest vocals by Keri Hilson, D.O.E., and Sebastian. The song showcases a blend of electronic, hip-hop, and R&B elements, marking a significant departure from traditional pop sounds. The release of the video sparked widespread discussion about the evolution of music videos and their role in promoting artists in the digital age.
2006 – On September 29, ABC News reported that U.S. Representative Mark Foley (R-FL) had sent sexually explicit instant messages to underage male congressional pages.
The revelation led to Foley’s immediate resignation and sparked widespread outrage. The scandal raised significant concerns about the supervision of congressional pages and the accountability of public officials. Investigations revealed that several senior Republican members of Congress were aware of Foley’s behavior but failed to take appropriate action, leading to accusations of negligence and cover-up. The incident had a profound impact on the 2006 midterm elections, contributing to the Democratic Party’s gain of control in the U.S. House of Representatives. The scandal also prompted discussions about ethics, accountability, and the treatment of young individuals in political environments.
2005 – On September 29, a Harry Potter fan uploaded a music video featuring scenes from Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire set to music by Simple Plan.
The film, released in November 2005, is the fourth installment in the Harry Potter series, directed by Mike Newell. It follows Harry’s participation in the dangerous Triwizard Tournament and explores darker themes, including the return of Lord Voldemort. The movie was praised for its mature storytelling, visual effects, and performances by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. The fan video exemplifies early YouTube fandom engagement, showing how fans celebrated and promoted popular films through creative media.