One of the most popular features on msnbc.com — with almost 40 million visits! — is Wonderful World. In this section you will find uplifting, happy stories and videos from the U.S. and abroad — tales of rescues and heroism; cute stories about kids and animals; and heartwarming acts of generosity that demonstrate the best of the human spirit.
But which ones are — drum roll, please — the Happiest of the Year? Well, the tally is in, and here are the Top 10 Happiest Stories of 2008, as measured by the numbers of times site users clicked on them.
Read them all — they're bound to warm your heart during this cold end-of-year weather. In fact, we're so sure that you'll want to read more of these positive postings that we've included 10 more of our personal favorites.
A very happy holiday season to you from the editors of Wonderful World!
THE TOP 10 HAPPY NEWS STORIES OF 2008
The envelope, please:
1: McDonald's employee returns check to bank after finding it on sidewalk
2: 8-foot-5 frame gives Ukrainian trouble, but bike, van, PC give joy, hope
3: 11-year-old catches sign error that has rankled staffers for 27 years
4: Stranded after fall, plucky climber attracts lumberjacks with undergarment
5: Young New Zealand couple says they've had a 'rough' couple of years
6: 75-year-old discovered money in a bag hanging from the stall door
7:
African grey parrot — missing two weeks — is returned to owners
8: The German shepherd remembered his training and saved his owner's life
9: Plucky pooch credited with waking teen as blaze begins to consume home
10: Seattle student's school project comes full circle 21 years, 1,735 miles later
EDITORS' PICKS: FAVORITE HAPPY NEWS STORIES