A daily journal of good news.
Neighborhoods organizing themselves, quiet acts of kindness, and the everyday work of civic life done well.
In January, a community in northern Mozambique experienced one of its worst floods in decades, yet the raging waters failed to claim a single life. This miracle was made possible thanks to a small squadron of drones and their pilots tasked with informing search and rescue efforts in real time. The story, shared by the […] The post Korean Drone Rescue Program Helps Mozambique Achieve Zero Fatalitie
"These are good, hard-working kids that deserve some gratitude." The post 11-year-olds mowed 50 lawns for free, so the ‘Lawnmower Man’ donated gear to open a business appeared…
Firefighters, animal control officers and public works employees teamed up in North Carolina to rescue a fawn found trapped in a storm drain.
Raylene Jessup collects homeless animals inside the Cotton Mill, her antique store in Selma, which houses 30 felines at present
4,483 years ago today, or so it’s said, the sky above the Korean Peninsula opened and Hwanung, the mythical progenitor of Korean People descended from heaven. Today, it’s marked…
In the mid-19th century, some 400,000 people traversed the Oregon Trail to settle in the American west. Given that this migration occurred nearly two centuries ago, none of the…
With illegal logging and agricultural expansion closing in on their lands, four Indigenous Wounaan and Emberá-Wounaan villages in Panama’s Darién forest started a biodiversity…
Welcome back to The Spark, our monthly celebration of how people just like you are creating positive change, one meaningful step at a time. The Spark is generously supported by…
When a father takes significant leave — at least two weeks — children report experiencing more closeness and better communication up to nine years later.
The right to vote, the right to freedom of speech, the right to due process, and … the right to read? You may not think of the ability to dive into a good book as a civil right,…
In 2012, Dave Benscoter was trimming trees in a friend’s backyard when he came across an apple he had never encountered before.
About eight-in-ten Australian adults support restricting access to social media for kids. This includes 51% who strongly support it.
For the first time in 150 years, kiwi once again live in the hills surrounding Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand. More than 250 manu (“birds” in the Māori language) were…
Listening is often overlooked as a leadership skill, but it can challenge assumptions and lead to better decisions, writes social innovator Ken Banks The post Why good leaders…
In recent years, visitors to French churches and cathedrals may have come across Belarusian nuns selling matryoshka dolls, religious icons and honey. They come from the Saint…
Since 2015, the share of Americans who say they use cash for all or almost all of their purchases in a typical week has fallen by half, from 24% to 12%.
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Dolly Parton launched the Imagination Library in 1995 on a premise that hasn’t changed since: send a free book to every registered child under…
Hollywood A-lister Chris Evans recently went out of his way to see if he could convince someone to make room in their home for two dogs who had to be adopted together. Greg and…
Employees at a food bank in Phoenix were left scratching their heads when they saw an entire Uhaul truck of donated diapers arrive at their location, knowing that a…
163 years ago, George Bizet’s famous opera Les Pêcheurs de Perles, The Pearl Fishermen, debuted at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris. Set in ancient times on the Island of Sri Lanka,…
The story of Pizza John and a community of Nerdfighters making the world a better place... in the weirdest way possible.
A little early fall prep can make November and December holidays more enjoyable. The post Therapists share tips for ‘pre-gaming’ potentially uncomfortable family holiday…
What changes when you swap the daily doomscroll for journalism that asks not just what’s wrong, but what’s working? Oliver Balch finds out The post I stopped reading bad news for…
What does a child need to prepare themselves for kindergarten? I’m not talking about a new water bottle and a backpack, though certainly those come in handy. I mean what it takes…
Leave for the non-birthing parent after a new baby arrives gives the family an opportunity to bond.
Firefighters in New Jersey ventured out into stormy weather to rescue a deer stuck between the bars of a metal fence.
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. During her first semester at Chicago’s Malcolm X College, Nikya Harrell had…
A member of the mint family, perilla balances crisp citrus notes with bitter undertones and subtle hints of anise and cinnamon. Takahashi says that for Japanese, it’s as important…
Being a good friend means being conscious of what your choices cost other people, writes Meehika Barua.
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM There’s a kind of workday most of us know too well. You’re logged on early, you barely step away for lunch, and by 6 pm you’re not entirely…
The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) announced a historic $131.5 million enforcement action against DoorDash for systematic violations of the…
Happy 50th Birthday to Il Capitano—Francesco Totti. The most iconic Italian football forward of the 21st century, Totti spent a 25-year professional career in the red and orange…
A group led by formerly incarcerated women spent years advocating for those trapped inside prison walls during Texas’ hot summers.
From claw clips to camera lens caps, the thousands of trash items reveal a lot about national park visitors.
As winter approaches, a rescue mission in Dubuque, Iowa, is making a major change to its downtown operations to create more emergency shelter space. The Dubuque Rescue Mission…
On the Northern California coast, where the tall trees meet the sea, ancestors of the Coast Yuki people lie buried in an old village site above the bluffs in the U.S. state. Yet…
At age 100, twinkle-toed Bernard Gilbert put a huge crowd through their paces — and proved he’s still got the moves — when he led a flash mob dance in the middle of a busy city…
The state’s monopoly electric utilities must create a separate rate class for data centers to ensure other customers aren’t subsidizing the massive energy demand.
A gamer grandma from Scotland earned a Guinness World Record as the oldest female "Fortnite" streamer on Twitch at the age of 78.
Perfect for weeknights AND holidays.
As Sunil Totti prepared for a job interview with an international tech firm recently, he was hit by a sudden anxiety: What if the electricity failed midway through? At home in…
After Hurricane Lowell knocked out power across Kauaʻi, Damian and Donna Loo - who spend their working lives caring for the island's elderly - drove to a friend's house with a…
A combination of e-bike rentals and segregated bike lanes has boosted cycling in the Scottish capital to the point that bikes outnumbered cars during a May morning rush hour for…
Molly Lambert went viral discussing OCD, helping others recognise frightening experiences they’d been too scared to share The post Life after… a diagnosis for panic disorder…
Zoe De La Paz packed up her life in Chicago and became a seamstress at one of the most beautiful parks in the country.
72 years ago today, the London street scene was made all the more iconic with the introduction of the Routemaster 8 (RM8) from AEC—becoming the double-decker red bus so associated…
On September 21, local fishermen found a baby elephant struggling to keep its head above water in West Bengal’s Teesta River.
For anyone who grew up staring blankly at museum artwork, this is the fun that was missing: Coco leads interactive and (mostly) factual art history comedy tours.
The museum lovingly called the "Blacksonian" chronicles the past and present and envisions the future to tell the stories of Black life in America
165 years ago today, Robert Bosch, founder of the corporation Robert Bosch GmbH, was born in Ulm. One of the most important German industrialists of the 19th and 20th centuries,…
The children’s entertainer and activist had two big calls to action on the latest episode of “Subway Takes.”
The annual event distributes free naloxone and provides overdose-reversal education.
In 2025 alone, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust rescued 17 elephants from collapsing sinkholes.
70-year-old Craig Berg’s hike through Isle Royale National Park turned into a survival story earlier this month.
Wangalla huddled among a herd of zebras after a pack of lions scared off her family.
In 2024, Michigan launched Rx Kids, the country’s first universal and unconditional prenatal and infant cash program. Here's how it's helped so far.
With the help of the mayor and local council, a small town in Burgundy has saved its local cafe-bistro, what’s been described as the “heart” of the rural French economy and…
45 years ago today, Sandra Day O’Connor was sworn in as the first female Supreme Court Justice. She was approved in the Senate 99-0, with one Montana Senator being absent from who…
Meet the British couple who spent the last 15 years fostering 59 dogs—with no plans of stopping. While working from home and designing electronics, Nicole and Gary Wordsworth have…
Thousands of formerly homeless people in the greater New Orleans area rely on federal dollars to help pay for their housing. But homeless advocates …
The UK has one of the highest NEET rates for young adults in Europe. New figures offer some encouragement The post The race to get more young people in the UK into work, education…
After more than 30 years of planning, construction, and fundraising, a paved bike trail ambling through 165 miles of Minnesota beauty has officially been completed—and now becomes…
Collectors searched the Historic Aitken Estate in Flint Township for artifacts to preserve the property's history, as organizers plan to turn the ...
Hoping to allow millions of pet owners to access critical veterinary care beyond their budgets, a philanthropic organization has announced a groundbreaking $250 million commitment…
Until the 1920s Park Avenue in Manhattan actually park running through it. Now, New York City has unveiled a new plan for transforming Park Avenue back into its original natural…
(China Daily) When Cai Kaidong first began listening to Nanyin, the ancient musical tradition of his hometown Quanzhou, Fujian province, he was not immediately impressed. "I…
Explore the world's cheap islands on a budget. Our guide reveals 13 affordable tropical paradises with pristine beaches.
The scholarships cover each student's tuition for the year and are paid directly to the institutions. Two of the awards are named in honour of the ...
A fox cub that was left for dead after being hit by a car is making a miracle recovery thanks to hydrotherapy swimming sessions. The young kit, aptly named Chance, was reportedly…
This past week, a herd of 40 buffalo roamed the concrete canyons of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn – life-size puppets that are part of a public arts project by St. Ann's Warehouse,…
Three boaters were rescued last weekend when they were caught in a storm while fishing. On Sept. 12, Jimmy Auvil of Smithfield was fishing near the …
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust specializes in rescuing and raising orphaned elephants, but their primary mission is always reunification.
The Shorefront Legacy Center, a small archive in a church basement in Evanston, Ill., collects papers and objects that tell the history of the city's Black community.
Portland business owner Josh White is joining the Humanite Peace Collective to honor his friend, Malak Mesleh, and millions more in Palestine.
The neighborhood will support an estimated 21,000 people upon completion.
The community is powered by solar panels by day and lithium batteries at night.
Violet always knew exactly whose hand to crawl back to 🥹❤️ Dodo editor Brielle shares how Claudia rescued a tiny jumping spider named Violet from a local car wash and ended up…
188 years ago today, the Anti-Corn Law League was established in England by the economics-savvy liberals who understood that protectionism is immoral and useless in benefiting the…
In today's edition: The Philippines brings its poverty rate below 10%, India reaches eight million HPV vaccinations, and adapted sailing is opening up the freedom of the sea to…
Ms. Rachel has conquered YouTube, Netflix and the toy aisle. Now she's making an album, with real instruments, big feelings and her littlest listeners in mind.
The new project in Maine is part of an initiative to build more homes faster and more efficiently.
Flushing drugs or throwing them in the trash can have unintended consequences.
A Nashville singer-songwriter has become a star—but not because of his guitar playing. Jerry Vandiver, whose songs have been recorded by country stars like Tim McGraw, moonlights…
A super communicator asks 10 to 20 more questions than the average person. The post Want to communicate better? Try these casual-but-deep questions that ‘super communicators’ use…
We are creatures fragmentary but indivisible, each of us a whole that is always simpler than its parts, but complicated by the struggle for a living unison between them. Nothing…
They found him just in time, but getting him out of the river was only the beginning 🦊❤️ After a baby fox was spotted struggling in a river, @wildlifeaid rescuers spent 40 minutes…
A trio of students at Harvard University have invented a low-cost, eye-tracking headset designed to help schools quickly screen child athletes for possible concussions. The…
60 years ago today, the Metropolitan Opera House opened at the Lincoln Center on Broadway and Lincoln Square on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City. Back then, it…
When Teyu Chou was 11 years old, his family immigrated to the U.S. The transition was isolating and confusing. But a fellow student stepped up and helped him adjust.
Dolly Parton’s megawatt smile and big wavy locks are gracing cornfields across the U.S. and in Canada this fall. Nearly two dozen farms have carved out large corn mazes to honor…
One by one, Mark Abrahams tackles the common anxieties and hangups people have about small talk. The post How people who hate small talk can learn to enjoy it with a few simple…
When thousands of employees at Station Casinos arrived at one of the company’s resorts to celebrate its 50th anniversary, they hadn’t a clue what was about to happen. They were…
Angela Garwood swapped conversation for stillness at a device-free silent retreat, hoping to discover what lies beneath the noise The post What happened when I stopped filling the…
"Is that why some chocolate burns?" The post There’s a fascinating reason European chocolate tastes better than the American version appeared first on Upworthy .
31-year-old Kayla Mazza has been living with 77-year-old Honey Donegan for over three years.
Many happy returns to a brilliant Brit, Tom Hardy, who turns 49 years old today. The London actor got his start in Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down, and preceded along a course of…
In Helmand province in southern Afghanistan, Ram Bibi, a 30-year-old mother now pregnant with her sixth child, counts herself as one of the lucky ones. She gets regular prenatal…
Twenty-five years on from 9/11, BGC Group has managed to turn tragedy into a day with purpose The post What if giving away a day’s revenue was the best day of your year? appeared…
There's so much we buy and use simply out of habit. The post Frugal people share 25 things they stopped buying completely to save money appeared first on Upworthy .
When 82-year-old educator Padmini arrived at the Kombai tribal settlements in Tamil Nadu, she brought not textbooks but nail cutters - understanding that dignity must be taught…
41 years ago today, the Penang Bridge officially opened connecting the Malay Peninsula with the island of Penang. Stretching 5.2 miles across the Penang Strait, it’s the…
"What's something you're bad at but love to do?" The post Behavioral scientist shares 10 questions that will make people fall madly ‘in like’ with you appeared first on Upworthy .
This is the first of a three-part series examining the current state of regenerative agriculture. At the Regen House, Danone, Mars, and Nestlé will all host panels on regenerative…
A housing model that gives people a permanent home before asking them to tackle their other problems has achieved striking results The post How ‘housing first’ is helping people…
Image alt text: Close-up of dandelion seed heads and crabgrass growing between garden bed plants in late summer A single dandelion, left to finish its summer in the garden, can…
In Austin, Texas, recent Indiana University graduate Jasper Steinmetz approached a man sporting something familiar: an IU backpack. The man turned out to be Sampson James, a…
In November of 1965 a great blackout spread across the northeastern United States and parts of Canada. 30 million people were affected and Lynn Lowin was one of them. Now in her…
A homeless man who was recorded playing piano in a church on a cold January night says his whole life has turned around, in the two years since his performance went viral. Rhys…
A Chinese Porsche owner covered his luxury sports car with 90 flyers of missing children, garnering significant attention online. Recently, a Porsche 718 from Kunming, in…
Actor Tatyana Ali says her healing journey after a traumatic childbirth has inspired her advocacy for Black maternal health, including support for midwives, doulas and other birth…
Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs, are exploding in popularity The post A 19-yr-old built a beautiful tiny home on her parents’ property. More young people are following suit.…
It's not that you don't care. The post Forget the names of people you just met? Psychologists say it says something good about you. appeared first on Upworthy .
Authorities in Pittsburgh handled an "unusual situation" involving a coyote that wandered into an alleyway and wound up wedged between two walls.
The One Big Beautiful Bill caused over 1 million children to lose food assistance.
The must-visit spot for seafood lovers beat out heavy hitters like New York and San Francisco.
A Sicilian hotel recently went above and beyond the call of the reception bell in reuniting a young woman with a cherished childhood stuffed animal. Visiting the Four Seasons in…
There are dozens of handy numerical heuristics intended to help us live more fulfilling lives (the 2-minute rule for productivity and the 10-3-2-1-0 rule for sleep spring to…
For the first time in its 109-year history of cookie sales, the organization offers a custom-made sweet treat for four-legged friends
65 years ago today, the World Wildlife Fund was formed to save diverse species across the planet. With 35 million supporters and offices in nearly 100 countries, WWF has helped…
"You’ll never meet more kind, more beautiful people." The post On 9/11, Gander, Newfoundland, took in thousands of stranded passengers from 38 diverted planes appeared first on…
Not long ago on a lonely peak in Maine, a 91-year-old grey-bearded man stood taking in the sights, as he observed the sensation of success that came with being the oldest person…
A typical weekday in Denmark and the UK looks similar on the surface, but hour by hour, the differences tell an interesting story.
The effort is part of 9/11 Day, which mobilizes millions to do good in honor of the lives lost on September 11, 2001.
35 years ago today, Nirvana’s single “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was released in the US. The unexpected success of the Seattle band’s song propelled their second LP Nevermind to the…
Los Angeles and New York City banned most students from using artificial intelligence in classrooms this school year.
Torani retained all its employees, even through the Great Depression. The post This major American company started in 1925. It hasn’t laid off a single employee since. appeared…
Two-thirds of U.S. adults ages 65 and older were grandparents in 2024.
Making broadband affordable and training people how to best use it are also key to saving time.
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The world’s four leading cardiovascular health organizations just agreed on a universal heart attack definition for the first time. The…
THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When you’re decluttering, the thrift store is the obvious first move. Drop it off, and it’s done. But a lot of what people donate there sits on a…
Frances Connolly, who won the lottery with her husband in 2019, believes giving back is simply human nature.
Certain landscapes lend themselves particularly well to spring car travel, like Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Kansas, when its swaths of wildflowers are in peak bloom.…
Meet the world’s only armless racing driver who uses his feet to steer. 23-year-old Callum Smith was born without arms but has already handled speeds of more than 110 mph on…
The 1844 edition of the widely used schoolbook written by William H. McGuffey, “Newly Revised Eclectic Fourth Reader,” includes a dialogue about the difference between “true and…
Iowa State offers several types of financial aid, including grants, scholarships, loans and student employment. One of these, the work-study ...
60 years ago, the first episode of Star Trek, featuring “Space: the final frontier” and the USS Enterprise, began its three-year mission of exploration on TV screens across…
A 22-year-old Utahan with Down Syndrome has just become a certified fitness instructor for the popular fitness program UpBeat Barre. UpBeat Barre instructor and co-owner of VASA…
It's brilliant in its simplicity. The post Researchers discovered 1 phrase that can stop an argument before it spirals out of control appeared first on Upworthy .
This destination is one of the most affordable suburbs in its state and offers retirees plenty of activities, from antiques shopping to hiking and fishing.
From the UK comes the story of a baby called Macs, who seemed poised for final-stage heart failure, but who has been saved by a device called a Berlin Heart. The only device of…
Fifth graders calm school kindergartners in Los Angeles. Kids take the "bike bus" in Oklahoma. High school students take in a new high school building in Oregon.
A crew of Nazareth University students are trading campus orientation for crayon counting to make sure housing insecurity doesn't put local kids behind on day one.
31 years ago today, Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig’s baseball record when he played in his 2,131st consecutive game. Once considered a near-impossible feat, “the streak,” which…
FreeFrom has invested $10 million into direct cash transfers for survivors of gender-based violence since 2016. They say it’s better — and cheaper — than the alternatives.
Discover the 12 best cities to visit in Britain, from historic capitals to hidden gems. Explore these must-see UK destinations.
Human psychology really isn't that complicated, if you think about it. The post One simple word makes children 30 percent more likely to cooperate. It works on adults, too.…
Learn a few surprising facts about procrastination — and helpful tools to overcome it — with this quiz. It's based on social scientist Itamar Shatz's new book, Solving…
There’s arguably never been a better time to join a book club. According to reading subscription service Everand’s 2026 State of Reading Report, people read more often last year…
People prefer her guess to the actual answer. The post Woman’s whimsical ‘Wheel of Fortune’ guess is so bad it made her an instant legend appeared first on Upworthy .
A women's softball team in Colorado boasts players with lots of experience: the youngest is 60 and the oldest is 92.
A litter of 12 unexpected puppies were reunited with their golden mom and dad to celebrate their first birthday as a family. The humans, crucial to this dog family, were also…
City officials say the kitten, which was less than a week old, was trapped inside the engine grill for at least 76 miles.
A gym equipment company from Finland is bringing physical fitness to the homeless community of Paris. Inactivity is a growing public health concern, but especially in lower income…
252 years ago today, the First Continental Congress was organized in Carpenter’s Hall, Philadelphia, after the British Navy implemented a blockade of Boston Harbor and the…
In New York City, something magical has happened along the sidewalk in Washington Heights that can best be described in a metaphor. In the East, the lotus is not only a food…
In an Upworthy exclusive, popular podcaster Noah Rasheta explains how he finds peace in a stressful world. The post The ‘Secular Buddhist’ shares 2 practices to soothe everyday…
Officials say rescuers in Nepal have pulled two workers alive from a tunnel Friday during an ongoing operation. The rescues come nine days after the Aug. 26 floods.
Welcome back to The Spark, our monthly celebration of how people just like you are creating positive change, one meaningful step at a time. The Spark is generously supported by…
Richard E Grant struck gold in a charity shop – now he’s fronting a camping to inspire others to do the same The post ‘My life-changing career break happened because I was wearing…
The first inaugural “Hike for Hope” will honor the conservationist’s legacy.
“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off,” said Steinem, who founded Ms. magazine and pushed for equality.
Happy Birthday to Shaun White, the three-time Olympic gold medalist in half-pipe snowboarding, who turns 40 today. He was a champion skateboarder in his teens after undergoing two…
On Governor’s Island in New York City, a nonprofit is turning wasted oyster shells into new oyster reefs that filter pollutants from the harbor, absorb wave energy, and supply the…
Through education savings accounts, vouchers and tax-credit scholarships, families can get financial support for options beyond their assigned ...
A civil war, military standoff, and a state experiencing double-government are all hopefully set to end after Libya’s rival factions agreed to hold elections. The breakthrough…
They turned the dreaded parking maneuver into a fun celebration. The post Portlanders host hilarious ‘Parallel Parking Competition’ with pool noodle bumpers and prizes appeared…
KATHMANDU — At 9:10 a.m. on Aug. 26, head teacher Rajendra Dawadi received frantic phone calls about a flood heading downstream toward Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School. He…
Other vocational programs at the prison have led to incarcerated individuals refurbishing bikes, restoring memorial benches, and more.
Sick of cottage cheese? Here are the most underrated high-protein foods to incorporate into your diet.
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