🦸 Superman Makes $9.1 Million

Good morning. It’s been a remarkable week filled with stories of discovery, kindness, and transformation. A long-lost Superman No. 1 comic book found in a San Francisco attic has soared to a record-breaking $9.1 million at auction, captivating collectors everywhere.

On The Kelly Clarkson Show, tears flowed as a mom met the volunteer baker who made her daughter’s birthday unforgettable, highlighting the joy Cake4Kids brings to families in need.

And in Louisiana’s Angola prison, a daddy-daughter dance offered hope and healing, reminding us that love and second chances can flourish even in the most unexpected places.

—Stephanie S

Acts of generosity light up the brain’s reward pathways,
creating a measurable increase in well-being.

A long-forgotten Superman No. 1 comic book, tucked away in a San Francisco attic, has just set a new record by selling for $9.1 million at auction. The comic, preserved in near-mint condition thanks to the cool climate, was discovered by three brothers while clearing out their late mother’s home.

Originally published in 1939, Superman No. 1 marked the Man of Steel’s first solo issue after his debut in Action Comics. Only 500,000 copies were printed, making surviving editions extremely rare.

The comic was authenticated and graded a remarkable 9.0 out of 10, the highest ever for this issue at auction. Its pristine state and storied history captured the imagination of collectors.

This sale surpasses all previous comic book records, highlighting the enduring appeal and cultural impact of Superman.

On the Kelly Clarkson Show, the nonprofit Cake4Kids was spotlighted for its heartwarming mission of delivering custom birthday cakes to children in need. The emotional segment featured a mom, Kasandra, who met Roberta, the volunteer baker who made her daughter's first birthday cake.

Kasandra shared how the cake brought joy during tough times, moving everyone to tears. Cake4Kids has delivered thousands of cakes, spreading love and hope nationwide.

The show ended with a $5,000 donation to support their work.

Join us for the Kindness Chain Challenge this December. Do one small act of kindness each day and share your favorite moment with us (reply to this email). We will highlight a few of our favorites at the end of the month.

Romania has achieved a remarkable 94% recycling rate for beverage containers after launching the world’s largest deposit return system. The program, a public-private partnership with RetuRO, incentivizes consumers to return plastic, glass, and metal containers for a refund.

Retailers receive tax credits to install return machines, making participation easy and rewarding. In just two years, Romanians have returned over 7.5 billion containers.

This success shows how fresh ideas and community engagement can drive real environmental progress.

At Louisiana’s Angola prison, a special daddy-daughter dance brought together 29 incarcerated fathers and their daughters, some of whom had not seen each other for years. Organized by God Behind Bars, the event offered suits, beauty services, and a Thanksgiving meal.

The night allowed men often labeled as “the worst of the worst” to shed those identities and be dads, sharing joy and love with their children.

For one evening, the prison was filled with laughter, tears, and hope for restoration.

Hold a kind thought for yourself.

Let it settle with your breath.

From this calmer place, here is something light and joyful we wanted to share.

🦎 Mexico: The adorable axolotl featured on Mexico's 50 peso note is so beloved that people are hoarding the bills instead of spending them.

🚑 New York: A 10th grader in Lancaster used CPR skills learned at school to save his stepfather's life after cardiac arrest.

🦂 Brazil: Scientists are testing venom from an Amazonian scorpion that shows promise in killing breast cancer cells as effectively as standard chemotherapy.

🧬 California: A 3-year-old boy with Hunter syndrome became the first in the world to receive a groundbreaking gene therapy.

🎨 New York: John Oliver auctioned a Bob Ross painting and show memorabilia, raising a record $1.5 million for public television funding.

146 years ago today, Clyde Cessna was born. His curiosity for flight began in 1910 after watching an aerial exhibition in Kansas, an experience that pushed him to pursue aviation full time. He moved to New York to learn aircraft construction and built his first plane at 32. Though his early aircraft, the “Silverwing,” failed repeatedly, he refused to quit. After his twelfth crash he famously declared he would “fly this thing, then burn it,” yet instead he succeeded and became the first person to build and fly an airplane in the American heartland.

By 1917, Cessna had established a factory and flight school, where he trained new pilots each year. He founded the Cessna Aircraft Company in 1927, and his early designs, including the AW and CW-6, gained international respect. Although he died young, his innovations shaped modern aviation. The company went on to build more than 100,000 single-engine aircraft and survived major economic downturns, eventually merging with Textron Aviation in 2014.

Other notable December 5 events:

1933: Prohibition was repealed in the United States, ending the nationwide ban on alcohol.

1955: Martin Luther King Jr. launched the Montgomery Bus Boycott after Rosa Parks’ arrest.

1968: The Rolling Stones released Beggar’s Banquet.

1973: Paul McCartney released Band on the Run, his most successful post-Beatles album.

— Phyllis Diller

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:

👁️ Cataract Cure: Low-cost cataract surgeries are restoring sight to millions in developing countries every year.

⚖️ Legal Libraries: Accessible online law libraries are empowering citizens with free legal knowledge.

🍲 Kitchen Co-ops: Community kitchen co-ops provide low-cost meals and train local chefs.

♻️ AI Recycling: AI-powered robotics are sorting recycling more efficiently than human-operated facilities.

☀️ Irrigation Co-ops: Solar-powered irrigation cooperatives are transforming drylands into productive farmland.

A) They started a new religious order in Vienna.

B) They escaped a senior home to return to their abbey.

C) They opened a bakery in Salzburg.

D) They traveled to Rome to meet the Pope.

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B) They escaped a senior home to return to their abbey.

Three elderly nuns in Austria made headlines when, with the help of supporters, they left a senior care home to return to their beloved Goldenstein Castle Abbey, defying the wishes of their religious superiors and inspiring a large following on social media.

Read the full story here.