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 2009, 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 2009
The envelope, please:
1:
Hungarian cave-dwellers could split grandmother's $6.6 billion fortune
2: Former state employee says he doesn't think the money will change him
3: Memories flood back for man, 78, after discovery behind gym bleachers
4: 2 men hailed as ‘heroes’ for preventing 18-month-old from hitting ground
5: Comic-loving autistic kid on balcony had refused to let others near him
6: They shared lunch and laughs with little one who was teen sister's charge
7: 23-year-old man bought $15 worth of tickets in nearby town of Winner
8: She bought the raffle ticket to celebrate couple's 16th anniversary
9: New Zealander had promised wife he would find her band in murky harbor
10: Mass. woman raced to save turkey after daughter gave birth 2 weeks early
EDITORS' PICKS: FAVORITE HAPPY NEWS STORIES