One Direction: Through The Years

Photo: Michael Loccisano

July 23 may seem like any other summer day to most people but if you're a One Direction fan, you know it's the day that started it all. On July 23, 2010, at 8:22 pm, to be exact, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik would become one of the most legendary boy bands of all time: One Direction.

They may have nabbed third place on The X Factor, but they'd go on to steal the hearts of millions around the world. The band released five albums throughout their career: Up All Night, Take Me Home, Midnight Memories, Four, and Made in the A.M. They also released an incredible documentary, This Is Us, as well as books and perfumes, won nearly 200 awards, and broke countless records.

Another day that is burned into the memories of all One Direction fans is November 18, 2011: the day the band released their debut album, Up All Night. UNA went on to sell 176,000 copies in its first week and fly to the top of the charts. It's since sold over 4 million copies and the album gave us iconic songs like "What Makes You Beautiful," "One Thing," "Gotta Be You," "Moments," and the title track, "Up All Night."

While the band may be on an indefinite hiatus since 2016 (resulting in a hole in the middle of my heart like a Polo), there's no doubt that One Direction changed the game for boy bands.

Scroll down to check out some of our favorite 1D "moments."

X Factor
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 - World Film Premiere Arrivals

2010 marked the beginning of 1D’s career as Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson auditioned as solo singers for the British singing competition The X Factor.

As individuals, they were in danger of being eliminated from the competition, but judge and producer, Simon Cowell put the guys together to form a band. The band ended up placing third overall, but Cowell knew that this wasn’t the end of One Direction as a whole.

One Direction Launch Their First Single - 'What Makes You Beautiful'
One Direction Launch Their First Single - 'What Makes You Beautiful'

One Direction celebrates the release of their their debut album, Up All Night, in November of 2011, which was an immediate success.

A month later, they embarked on their first headlining tour. They had previously toured with The X Factor.

Saturday Night Live - Season 37

1D's superstardom wasn't showing signs of slowing down anytime soon. They made their first ever appearance on SNL in 2012 and performed "What Makes You Beautiful" and "One Thing."

2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Show
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Show

They performed at their first MTV Video Music Awards in 2012, won three Moonmen and all received congratulatory kisses from Katy Perry herself.

FOX's "The X Factor" - Season Two

Later that year, they released their second album, Take Me Home.

One Direction in Concert at MSG
One Direction in Concert at MSG

At the year’s end, their success had tripled and we saw the band perform their first sold out show at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

One Direction - Book Signing

Their book, released in 2013, Where We Are: Our Band, Our Story covers One Direction's rise to fame in 2011 and 2012.

One Direction Celebrates 1D Day with Global Fan Event Broadcast from YouTube Space LA

Prior to releasing their third album, Midnight Memories, One Direction treated their Directioners to 1D Day, a seven-hour live stream event where they connected with their fans from all over the world.

The "One Direction iHeartRadio Album Release Party" Hosted By Ryan Seacrest At The iHeartRadio Theater Los Angeles

Louis, Harry, Zayn, Niall, and Liam took to iHeartRadio's LA stage to celebrate Midnight Memories.

Today - Season 64
Today - Season 64

1D became the first band to debut their first four albums at the top of the charts. Their fourth album, aptly titled Four was released in the fall of 2014, which they celebrated at Universal Orlando Resort with a Today Show special and concert. Unfortunately, Zayn wasn't present for the special, with the band citing a stomach bug as the reason why. Four marked the band’s last album with member Zayn Malik, who then announced he was leaving the group in March of 2015.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon - Season 2

Jimmy Fallon and The Roots sing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" with the guys during the music room bit in December 2014.

One Direction Performs On ABC's "Good Morning America"

Despite Zayn’s absence, the band went on with Harry, Liam, Niall and Louis, who continued to tour and work on a new album.

102.7 KIIS FM's Jingle Ball - Show
102.7 KIIS FM's Jingle Ball - Show

During the summer of 2015, the band released their first single from Made In The A.M. without any announcement or promotion for the song, which was their first since Zayn's departure. Shortly after the fifth album's release, One Direction announce that they would be taking a hiatus. One Direction performed at 102.7 KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball in December, with Liam addressing the crowd regarding the split. "This is going to be the last time for a little while. I feel myself getting a little emotional," he said.

One Direction Mexico City Press Conference

All 5 members of the band have since gone on to successful solo careers, collaborating with talented artists like Steve Aoki, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Quavo, Zedd and Bebe Rexha.

Photos: Getty Images


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