Zayn Malik leaves One Direction: Look back at first 100 days since split

The term "first hundred days" as a popular concept was reportedly first coined in a July 24, 1933 radio address by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since then, it has become a common political check-in point after big changes take place. So, when you think about, we couldn't really not check in 100 days after Zayn Malik announced he would be leaving One Direction.

Below, explore our breakdown on all the highlights that have happened in the first 100 days since Z-Day. (The 100 day marker officially hits Friday, July 3.) To understand where we're going, we must acknowledge where we've been.

March 25, 2015
Where were you when you found out that One Direction was breaking up? Who do you turn to when you find out the world as you and your niece know it is over? What do you do if you just bought nonrefundable tickets to see "On The Road Again" specifically so you could see Malik's brooding vibe in person, hypothetically speaking?

The direct words, from Malik himself: "My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I'd like to apologise to the fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world."

March 27, 2015
Zayn gives his first interview since annoucing his departure to The Sun. "I did try to do something that I wasn't happy doing for a while, for the sake of maybe other's people's happiness," he explained, re-breaking hearts all over the world with one statement. "And that was mainly the fans. I only ever tried to do it for the fans. I'm only upset [because] I feel like I may have let them down in some sort of way."

March 29, 2015
One Direction plays first concert since Zayn-gate. The guys don't mention Zayn by name at all, but Liam cried and briefly left the stage. I'm guessing the crowd of 95,000 fans knew exactly where he was coming from.

March 30, 2015
Is Zayn trying to give everyone whiplash? Less than a week after annoucing he was leaving the band EFFECTIVE IMMEADIATELY his first solo demo, "I Won't Mind," hits the Internet. This all feels real now, and it's too much.

April 4, 2015
Speaking to The Sun, the remaining members of 1D weigh in on the future of the band. "It's been a tough few weeks, probably the toughest since the band was formed five years ago," Liam said in the understatement of the year. "We're gutted that Zayn chose to leave, but now after a few performances as a four-piece, we're feeling confident and are determined to carry on stronger than ever."

April 13, 2015
On One Direction's management site, the band photo changes to a pic of the foursome, but Zayn's shadow looms -- literally. Upon closer reflection, it's clear it is actually an old picture and Zayn has just been photoshopped out, but the ghost of his image remains (in print and in our hearts).

April 17, 2015
Zayn makes his first appearance as a solo artist, sporting a post-breakup shaved head at the Asian Awards, where he was being honored for Outstanding Achievement in Enraging Twitter Music. "I'd also like to take this moment to thank four of the best guys that I ever met whilst being in the band and doing all the amazing things that I did. Some of the things that we did will stay with me for the rest of my life," Malik said during his acceptance speech. "Here's to the future."

April 20, 2015
One Direction: This Is Us director Morgan Spurlock thinks Harry Styles will be next to leave. Rude! (and probably true...). Lance Bass also thinks that, and he was in a boy band and leave, so he probably knows the warning signs when one is about to get ditched.

April 27, 2015
Liam Payne says 1D's upcoming new album will be different from their teen-pop roots. "The albums coming together really well actually. The boys we've been writing with have come up with some great, great songs that are kind of like a bit Oasis-y almost which is ace," he shared. "I love that."
A thing I loved was when One Direction had five members.

May 1, 2015
Zayn Malik changes his Twitter and removed 1D from his handle. Fans don't handle -- it's important to laugh in these trying times -- it well, immediately getting #YouWillAlwaysBeZaynMalik1D trending worldwide.

May 6, 2015
One of the saddest aspects of the band breakup has been watching the guys go through the five stage of grief via social media -- and for a while, it seemed like Louis and Zayn were stuck in the anger stage. The two had a Twitter spat regarding Zayn's new music buddy Naughty Boy, who didn't help the situation by taunting Louis.

May 14, 2015
The foursome make their first late-night appearance since the split, sitting down with pal James Corden in the U.S and addressing the news of the past several weeks head on. "It's like anything, at first we were a little bit angry," Liam shared. "Obviously we were surprised, but I think we all knew the general vibe Zayn was feeling." Louis also commented on his "feud" with Zayn, saying that they had worked it all out and were buds again THANK GOD.

May 17, 2015
One Direction hit the Billboard Music Awards. The group is doing fine, breezy even. They thank their "brother Zayn" in an acceptance speech, and Harry even managed to publicly grab Niall's crotch, something you certainly don't do if you're still platonically missing another dude.

June 6, 2015
Zayn Malik's hair is green now.

June 10, 2015
JK now it's white. Perrie Edwards, you need to do something.

June 15, 2015
Zayn covers Rae Sremmurd's 'No Type," it leaks, and fans freak out -- but there's drama behind the scenes with collaborator Mic Righteous, who claims he released the track himself because he wasn't being treated fairly by Zayn and Naughty Boy. Mic Righteous also claims that the 1D contract doesn't allow Zayn to release solo music until 2017, which is a highly distressing turn of events. Fans must now grapple with the fact that it's possible for no Zayn in 1D AND they might not get him by himself for a few years either.

June 27, 2015
One Direction wrap the Europeon leg of their "On The Road Again" tour. It will pick up in the United States July 9. Will Zayn find himself backstage for one of the dates? We can only hope. For now, fans continue to remember that each day is a new day, and time is suppose to heal all wounds.

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