What the Internet Was Doing During the State of the Union

September 30, 2016 Barack Obama, Google, politics, state of the union address, trending topics, twitter, U.S., US & World

President Barack Obama during the State of the Union address on Jan. 28, 2014, flanked by Vice President Joe Biden (left) and House Speaker John Boehner (right).

Image: Mashable composite. Larry Downing, Pool/Assocaited Press and Twitter .

In an unofficial vote, Congress and the American people have decided that it’s okay to use the Internet while the president is speaking.

On Twitter, users sent 1.7 million tweets related to the President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address during the 70-minute span on Tuesday night, encompassing Obama’s remarks and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ official Republican response. Even members of Congress were not above fiddling with smartphones during the speech; they contributed 750 tweets to the chorus — 0.04% of the 1.7 million total.

“Fairness,” “healthcare” and “defense” were among the most hashtagged terms related to the State of the Union. Twitter released the following interactive graphic to track how the online conversation progressed; it links buzzwords with the actual words Obama spoke during the address.

A pop culture reference outperformed his remarks about healthcare and raising the minimum wage for federal government workers: The conversation peaked at more than 33,000 tweets per minute when Obama made a quip about the TV show Mad Men.

The Mad Men reference came as Obama talked about gender inequality in the workplace. He argued that it’s unfair that, on average, women earn 77 cents for every dollar a man earns.

“This year, let’s all come together — Congress, the White House and businesses from Wall Street to Main Street — to give every woman the opportunity she deserves,” Obama said. “Because I firmly believe when women succeed, America succeeds.”

Meanwhile, Internet users also turned to Google during the speech for background information and answers to their burning questions. Here are some insights about popular State of the Union searches.

Eschewing Google, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) used Vine to pose a post-State of the Union query.

Appreciate what the President said tonight but I’m w/ those still asking, “where are the #jobs?” https://t.co/3Lbo4Ybug1

— Speaker John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) January 29, 2014

BONUS: Major Moments From Obama’s State of the Union Address

President Obama’s 2014 State of the Union

President Obama: Ready for the Spotlight

U.S. President Barack Obama takes a stroll outside the White House just hours before delivering his State of the Union address.

Image: Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press
Reality Star Check-In

Willie Robertson (right), one of the stars of hit reality-TV show Duck Dynasty, alongside his wife Korie, mugs for the cameras just prior to Obama’s speech.

Image: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Politician Meets Reality-TV Star

Duck Dynasty reality-show star Willie Robertson (center) finds a fan in Republican Representative from Wisconsin and former vice-presidential candidate, Paul Ryan (right).

Image: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images
Bipartisan Fashion Tips?

Vice President Joe Biden (left) playfully adjusts Speaker of the House John Boehner’s tie, as they prepare for Obama’s arrival.

Image: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images
Obama Arrives

Obama arrives to deliver the 2014 State of the Union address surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd of supporters.

Image: J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press
Last-Minute Pep Whisper

Obama greets Secretary of State John Kerry.

Image: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
The First Lady and the Veteran

First lady Michelle Obama shares a light-hearted moment with U.S. Army Ranger Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg, who was injured while serving in Afghanistan.

Image: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Reaching Across the Aisle

President Obama greets frequent political rival Speaker of the House Boehner (right).

Image: Larry Downing/Associated Press
Presidential Swag Moment

President Obama waves to some of the assembly as he prepares to deliver his State of the Union address.

Image: Pool/Getty Images
Witnesses to History

Carlos Arredondo (left), the father of deceased Iraq War soldier Alexander Arredondo, and Jeff Bauman (right), who was injured during the Boston bombing, watch president Obama’s speech.

Image: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Best Seats in the House

Obama delivers his remarks, as Vice President Biden (left) and Speaker of the House Boehner (right) look on.

Image: Charles Dharapak/Associated Press
Acknowledging Military Service

U.S. Army Ranger Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg waves to the crowd after president Obama acknowledges him for his military service during his speech.

Image: Win McNamee/Getty Images
All Due Respects

During a particularly powerful moment, the entire room turns to pay respects to Sergeant Remsburg.

Image: Mark Wilson/Getty Images
The Loyal Opposition

Republican Senators Lindsey Graham, John McCain and Ted Cruz don’t appear to be enjoying themselves during president Obama’s State of the Union address.

Image: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Outlining the Future

Obama outlines his vision for the coming year in his 2014 State of the Union address.

Image: Larry Downing/Associated Press
A View From the Inside

A look at what the crowd, filled with special guests and high-level politicians, looked like during president Obama’s 2014 State of the Union address.

Image: Mark Wilson/Getty Images
The Multitasking Exit

President Obama signs a copy of his State of the Union speech for an audience member as he makes his exit.

Image: Pool/Getty Images