Your recollection of the past might be skewed. Approximately 10 years ago we also celebrated cables - the switch from the 30 pin cable to lightning.
Stuff like that has always been there and celebrated, but it fades in memory over time.
The problem is that USB-C has nothing useful to offer over Lightning. Apple could've updated Lightning to support faster data if they wanted, and even then most people rarely use their cables for data anymore because of iCloud and AirDrop.
So this time around, it really is nothing to get excited over. I will even say it's a downgrade, because I have yet to experience a USB-C port that feels as strong and satisfying to plug in/out as Lightning.
The backlash from the public as well as pushback from accessory manufacturers had Apple quietly remove the warning and drop their plans.