In the video montage of how terrible 2016 was, the blowing up of the large "2016" sign by John Oliver was a real detonation, not a visual effect.
Final episode of 2016's Season 3.
Each episode's title screens includes a faux Latin motto referencing a recent event. This week's "Metaphorus Apta - Bald Eagles" refers to a pair of the birds (which symbolize the USA) that were rescued this week. They grappled in flight and lodged themselves into a street side gutter where they would likely have died if left to their own base instincts.