🎖️ Hero Gets the Honor He Deserves

We hope you had a great long weekend. A 100-year-old D-Day veteran finally received the medal he’d quietly hoped for, thanks to the persistence of his family and community.

In the UK, a woman won a $4.5 million mansion after entering a contest her husband thought was a waste of time.

And in Mauritius, scientists are making progress with heat-resistant coral, showing how careful work can help restore reefs. Each story is a reminder that sometimes, the little things really do matter.

👉 P.S. If you enjoy these stories, consider joining our premium newsletter. You’ll be supporting our small team and a community that believes good news is worth sharing.

—Stephanie S

This morning, we’re pausing to honor a remarkable centenarian whose final wish was quietly powerful. Don Butt, a 100-year-old D-Day veteran, recently received the campaign medal he had long hoped for, a recognition that arrived just in time.

Butt’s story is a gentle reminder of the quiet persistence that often shapes history. He landed on Juno Beach in 1944, one of the first to brave the chaos, and spent decades quietly advocating for his fellow soldiers to be remembered.

What makes this moment especially moving is the way Butt’s wish was fulfilled with the help of his community and family. Don received his award shortly after his 100th birthday.

It’s worth wondering how many stories like Don’s are still waiting to be heard, and what small acts of recognition might mean to those who gave so much.

Nicola Dickinson just proved that sometimes it pays to ignore your spouse’s advice. After years of her husband telling her contest entries were a waste, she won a $4.5 million mansion in England’s Lake District with a $33 ticket.

The best part? The house is mortgage-free, fully furnished, and comes with its own lake. Nicola says the win is a game-changer for her family.

Curious how it all unfolded? It’s a fun reminder that a little hope can go a long way.

In a recent follow-up story, a group of Buddhist monks walking across America for peace just got a big boost after a scary setback. When their support vehicle was totaled in a crash that sent four monks to the hospital, a Texas business owner stepped in and donated a new car, fully outfitted and ready to roll.

The monks, joined by a rescue dog, are still on their journey, spreading unity and compassion. It’s a story about generosity, resilience, and the kindness that keeps people moving forward.

Catch the full story for a dose of hope and humanity.

Mauritius is making waves in coral science, breeding heat-resistant corals that survived a major bleaching event with a stunning 98% success rate.

This isn’t just a win for marine biologists. Healthy reefs mean thriving fisheries and more resilient coastal communities.

If you’re curious about how these tiny animals are getting a fighting chance against climate change, this story is worth a look.

Read more about the breakthrough here.

🐌 Australia: Scientists have rediscovered a snail species and launched the greatest breeding and reintroduction effort in history on Norfolk Island.

💌 Indiana: Two best friends have exchanged the same birthday card for 81 years, creating a record-breaking tradition that began in 1944.

🌊 International: The long-awaited High Seas Treaty has officially entered into force, enabling countries worldwide to create marine protected areas and jointly protect ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction.

🏥 UK: A new eye injection therapy using a simple surgical gel restored vision in patients with hypotony, offering a groundbreaking cure for a rare eye condition.

☀️ China: The country is installing renewable energy at an unprecedented pace, underscoring monumental progress in the global transition to clean energy.

45 years ago today, Iran released all 52 American hostages held for 444 days, just minutes after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as president of the United States. The hostages were flown out of Tehran aboard an Algerian aircraft to Algiers, where they were formally transferred to US representative Warren M. Christopher, marking the end of one of the most painful diplomatic crises in modern American history.

From Algeria, the former hostages traveled to West Germany and then to a US Air Force hospital in Wiesbaden, where former President Jimmy Carter met them as an emissary. After medical evaluations and debriefings, they returned home and were honored ten days later with a ticker-tape parade through New York City’s Canyon of Heroes. While theories persist about Iran’s timing, historians widely agree that the Carter administration conducted the negotiations that ultimately secured their release.

Other notable January 20 events:

1265: England’s parliament met for the first time at the Palace of Westminster.

1971: Marvin Gaye released What’s Going On, redefining Motown and protest music.

2008: Breaking Bad premiered on AMC, later becoming one of television’s most acclaimed series.

2009: Barack Obama was sworn in as the first multiracial president of the United States.

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

Every day brings amazing advances and uplifting moments that remind us just how wonderful the world can be. Here are five reasons why today is the best time ever to be alive:

💧 AI Water Planning: AI-powered water management is predicting droughts and optimizing irrigation.

🔬 Open Labs: Open-source lab equipment is lowering barriers for scientific discovery in developing countries.

🐺 Predator Return: Rewilding efforts are reintroducing apex predators to restore ecological balance.

🌍 Cultural Exchanges: Virtual cultural exchanges are connecting classrooms across continents to share traditions.

🧬 Plastic Enzymes: Plastic-eating enzymes are breaking down waste, offering a solution to global plastic pollution.

Spread a little good news, and good things come back your way.

When you share your unique link, you’re not just passing along uplifting stories; you’re earning a few surprises from us, too. Brighten someone’s day, grow the circle, and enjoy some goodies while you’re at it. You’re currently at {{rp_num_referrals}} referrals.

Click the button below, then copy and paste the link to share.

If that button doesn’t work, you can copy and share your referral link with your friends: {{rp_refer_url}}

Manage your referrals here