>> reporter: when a former student opened fire, murdering 17 people, including 14 students at marjory stoneman douglas high school, emma and others channeled their sorrow into action. >> everybody politician who is taking donations from the nra, shame on you! >> reporter: across the country thousands of students heard the cry coming from parkland, florida, and staged a 17-minute walkout, one minimum for each victim of the shooting. >> enough is enough! >> reporter: then their demand for a stricter gun laws went global with "march for our lives." >> we can and we will change the world! >> reporter: washington felt the weight of several icons passing away in 2018. ♪ >> reporter: senator john mccain died in august after a 13-month battle with brain cancer. the naval fighter pilot and