It’s the International Day of Happiness — one of Nice News’ favorite holidays. As per the United Nations, happiness is a fundamental human goal, and the achievement of that goal requires “a more inclusive, equitable, and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples.” The organization honors this day each year with the release of the World Happiness Report, which ranks the happiest countries around the globe and generally evaluates the state of joy on Earth. Read more about the 2024 report below, and check out our article on 10 science-backed ways to feel happier in your everyday life.
The 2024 World Happiness Report, which ranks countries based on self-reported happiness levels, has been released. And — drum roll, please — Finland was named the world’s happiest country for the seventh consecutive year. To arrive at their findings, scientists examined survey responses from people in 143 nations who participated in the Gallup World Poll over the previous three years. Residents were asked to rate their life satisfaction on a scale of zero through 10, with their answers determining the country rankings. Experts then analyzed factors like life expectancy, generosity, GDP, and a sense of freedom to account for variations across countries. For the first time this year, the report also focused on how well-being differs across age groups. Separate lists were created based on those findings, and, in many cases, they varied widely from the overall rankings. For example, Lithuania came in No. 1 for happiness in people under 30, but ranked 19th overall. Analysts were able to go through data as far back as 2006 to determine changes in those trends. Read our full rundown of the report, including the other top 10 countries on the “world’s happiest” list.
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Humanity
Hands-On Learning: Utah High School Students Build New Home in 2 Years
Zillow
Utah’s Murray High School allows students interested in construction to take part in the ultimate hands-on learning: building a house from scratch. Over the past two years, teens enrolled in the school’s CTE Construction Program worked to craft a new four-bed, four-bath home in a Salt Lake City suburb. Students receive credits toward the building program at Salt Lake Community College, per KSTU. “The very best way to learn something is to do it. And here they got to put their hands on and actually do it and learn real-life skills that they will be able to use for the rest of their life,” instructor Quinn Drury told the local news outlet. Murray’s program is one of many that have been operating around the country for years, offering experience to kids who see a potential career in construction or simply want to learn more about the process. The two-story home was listed earlier this month, and already has an offer pending, according to Zillow.
Environment
An Old Pay Phone in Maryland Plays Free Birdsong for Dialers
Pay phones as tools for actually making calls are largely obsolete, but a Maryland artist found a way to keep one old booth functional, in a manner of speaking. In 2016, violinist, composer, and audio producer David Schulman hot-wired a dilapidated pay phone to play the songs of native birds for an interactive public art contest in Takoma Park. He won the contest, and now his free birdsong pay phone is as popular as ever, The Washington Post reported in January. Each number is associated with a different bird’s call: 1 for a yellow-crowned night heron, 7 for a pileated woodpecker, 9 for a red-tailed hawk (pictured), and so on. “We also use the sound of a mourning dove as a dial tone,” Schulman told the outlet. “What else?” The phone offers residents and visitors a taste of nature in the city and a bit of calm — research has shown that birdsong can alleviate anxiety and paranoia. “I like to imagine Bird Calls Phones all over the country, featuring [each city’s] local birds,” Schulman added. “I’d love for it to become an experience for everyone.” See (and listen to) the pay phone.
A pill that kills ticks is showing promise in an early trial. If successful, it could become a new tool to fight Lyme disease.
Researchers developed a quadruped robot that can climb walls, traverse across rubble, and even do parkour.
Famed muse Pattie Boyd has put a trove of cultural artifacts from the ’60s and ’70s up for auction, including letters from ex-husbands George Harrison and Eric Clapton.
Frisco Fold & Carry Double Door Dog Crate This collapsible dog crate from Frisco by Chewy looks basic, but it has a few features that stand out from the rest. There are two doors — one at the front and one on the side — that make it incredibly versatile for positioning in your home or on the go. The removable divider panel also allows you to adjust the size of the crate as your puppy grows, so it will last throughout their lifetime. Finally, the fold-and-carry construction makes traveling with your dog a cinch.
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Inspiring Story
True grit, true love
During the Texas wildfires, nonagenarians Delmer and Mildred Barefoot were photographed working together to keep their cattle safe from the blaze, and the shot went viral. Meet the couple and learn about their 73-year love story.
This new Banksy mural creates the illusion of foliage on a pruned tree in London’s Islington North neighborhood. See the “before” photo of the denuded tree, pre-greenery.
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