Here Are The 25 BEST Things That Happened In 2015

Nathan Johnson Published 12/26/2015

While many of us are tempted to fast forward into the future, we should take a second to pause and reflect on some of the most uplifting things that happened this year

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1.
We started the year off strong with a global achievement: solid numbers in clean energy investment. After a three-year decline, investment amounts increased by 15% at the end of 2014, according to a statement released by released by Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
2.
American Rivers set a goal to deconstruct 75 dam removals, contributing to the natural flow of rivers and streams.
3.
Did you know that India is home to around 70% of the world's tigers? Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar announced that the tiger population saw a 30% increase.
4.
The nonprofit Free Minds book club helps keep ex-offenders out of jail through reading, writing, and sharing.
5.
The Jerdon's babbler, a bird that has been marked as extinct for more than 70 years, was rediscovered in the grasslands of Myanmar.
6.
According to an annual survey conducted by state biologists in February, the number of manatees in Florida is at an all-time high. There were over 6,000 tallied.
7.
Following an investigation by Associated Press, Indonesian government officials evacuated an isolated island of Burmese slaves who were lured or tricked into working as fishermen. Findings revealed that the men had endured brutal conditions, including beatings from a paid 'enforcer.'
8.
Costa Rica ends this year with 99% renewable energy. Talk about clean!
9.
Brian Banks spent 5 years in prison plus an additional 5 years of high custody parole for a rape crime he didn't commit. He now works for the NFL and volunteers for the California Innocence Project to exonerate those in similar situations.
10.
A 21-mile commute to and from work isn't bad, but when you have to walk most of it, it can be hell. When readers learned of 56-year-old factory worker James Robertson and his daily trek, they came together to raise over $350,000 in donations.
11.
Following the significant but violent Baltimore protests, volunteers gathered at the epicenter of the action to clean up.
12.
In early May, Central African Republic militias agreed to free child soldiers and other youth workers.
13.
Ireland became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage through popular vote on May 22, 2015.
14.
Stephen Colbert gave $800,000 to teachers in South Carolina when he funded every DonorsChoose project in the state.
15.
The United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage on June 26.
16.
World War II vet, Anthony Brutto, graduates from college at the age of 94.
17.
McDonald's announced an All-Day Breakfast Menu in October after a successful test run in San Diego.
18.
In early December, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that the Defense Department will lift all gender-based restrictions on military service. As a result, all combat jobs will be open to women who wish to serve.
19.
In a historic election held on December 12, Saudi Arabian women voted for the first time and 17 were elected to public office.
20.
Global greenhouse gas emissions have dropped, a great motivator as we continue to respond to the major issue of climate change. Speaking of which, climate protesters left 10,000 shoes on the Place de la Republique when their march was canceled due to the horrific Paris attacks.
21.
The Americas became the first region of the world to eliminate Rubella, or German measles. Health officials launched a wide vaccination program 15 years ago, and no home-grown cases have been received in the past 5 years.
22.
Elishe Wittes, a 17-year-old transgender boy, was one of many who were able to change their gender in the new Social Security Administration under Obama's new administration policy.
23.
Clients are staying HIV-free with Truvada PrEP prescriptions.
24.
This puppy was lost at sea and rescued by Italian sailors.
25.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens, released December 18, breaks box office records in its opening weekend.

1.
We started the year off strong with a global achievement: solid numbers in clean energy investment. After a three-year decline, investment amounts increased by 15% at the end of 2014, according to a statement released by released by Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
2.
American Rivers set a goal to deconstruct 75 dam removals, contributing to the natural flow of rivers and streams.
3.
Did you know that India is home to around 70% of the world's tigers? Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar announced that the tiger population saw a 30% increase.
4.
The nonprofit Free Minds book club helps keep ex-offenders out of jail through reading, writing, and sharing.
5.
The Jerdon's babbler, a bird that has been marked as extinct for more than 70 years, was rediscovered in the grasslands of Myanmar.
6.
According to an annual survey conducted by state biologists in February, the number of manatees in Florida is at an all-time high. There were over 6,000 tallied.
7.
Following an investigation by Associated Press, Indonesian government officials evacuated an isolated island of Burmese slaves who were lured or tricked into working as fishermen. Findings revealed that the men had endured brutal conditions, including beatings from a paid 'enforcer.'
8.
Costa Rica ends this year with 99% renewable energy. Talk about clean!
9.
Brian Banks spent 5 years in prison plus an additional 5 years of high custody parole for a rape crime he didn't commit. He now works for the NFL and volunteers for the California Innocence Project to exonerate those in similar situations.
10.
A 21-mile commute to and from work isn't bad, but when you have to walk most of it, it can be hell. When readers learned of 56-year-old factory worker James Robertson and his daily trek, they came together to raise over $350,000 in donations.
11.
Following the significant but violent Baltimore protests, volunteers gathered at the epicenter of the action to clean up.
12.
In early May, Central African Republic militias agreed to free child soldiers and other youth workers.
13.
Ireland became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage through popular vote on May 22, 2015.
14.
Stephen Colbert gave $800,000 to teachers in South Carolina when he funded every DonorsChoose project in the state.
15.
The United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage on June 26.
16.
World War II vet, Anthony Brutto, graduates from college at the age of 94.
17.
McDonald's announced an All-Day Breakfast Menu in October after a successful test run in San Diego.
18.
In early December, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that the Defense Department will lift all gender-based restrictions on military service. As a result, all combat jobs will be open to women who wish to serve.
19.
In a historic election held on December 12, Saudi Arabian women voted for the first time and 17 were elected to public office.
20.
Global greenhouse gas emissions have dropped, a great motivator as we continue to respond to the major issue of climate change. Speaking of which, climate protesters left 10,000 shoes on the Place de la Republique when their march was canceled due to the horrific Paris attacks.
21.
The Americas became the first region of the world to eliminate Rubella, or German measles. Health officials launched a wide vaccination program 15 years ago, and no home-grown cases have been received in the past 5 years.
22.
Elishe Wittes, a 17-year-old transgender boy, was one of many who were able to change their gender in the new Social Security Administration under Obama's new administration policy.
23.
Clients are staying HIV-free with Truvada PrEP prescriptions.
24.
This puppy was lost at sea and rescued by Italian sailors.
25.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens, released December 18, breaks box office records in its opening weekend.

We started the year off strong with a global achievement: solid numbers in clean energy investment. After a three-year decline, investment amounts increased by 15% at the end of 2014, according to a statement released by released by Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

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1. We started the year off strong with a global achievement: solid numbers in clean energy investment. After a three-year decline, investment amounts increased by 15% at the end of 2014, according to a statement released by released by Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

2. American Rivers set a goal to deconstruct 75 dam removals, contributing to the natural flow of rivers and streams.

3. Did you know that India is home to around 70% of the world's tigers? Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar announced that the tiger population saw a 30% increase.

4. The nonprofit Free Minds book club helps keep ex-offenders out of jail through reading, writing, and sharing.

5. The Jerdon's babbler, a bird that has been marked as extinct for more than 70 years, was rediscovered in the grasslands of Myanmar.

6. According to an annual survey conducted by state biologists in February, the number of manatees in Florida is at an all-time high. There were over 6,000 tallied.

7. Following an investigation by Associated Press, Indonesian government officials evacuated an isolated island of Burmese slaves who were lured or tricked into working as fishermen. Findings revealed that the men had endured brutal conditions, including beatings from a paid 'enforcer.'

8. Costa Rica ends this year with 99% renewable energy. Talk about clean!

9. Brian Banks spent 5 years in prison plus an additional 5 years of high custody parole for a rape crime he didn't commit. He now works for the NFL and volunteers for the California Innocence Project to exonerate those in similar situations.

10. A 21-mile commute to and from work isn't bad, but when you have to walk most of it, it can be hell. When readers learned of 56-year-old factory worker James Robertson and his daily trek, they came together to raise over $350,000 in donations.

11. Following the significant but violent Baltimore protests, volunteers gathered at the epicenter of the action to clean up.

12. In early May, Central African Republic militias agreed to free child soldiers and other youth workers.

13. Ireland became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage through popular vote on May 22, 2015.

14. Stephen Colbert gave $800,000 to teachers in South Carolina when he funded every DonorsChoose project in the state.

15. The United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage on June 26.

16. World War II vet, Anthony Brutto, graduates from college at the age of 94.

17. McDonald's announced an All-Day Breakfast Menu in October after a successful test run in San Diego.

18. In early December, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that the Defense Department will lift all gender-based restrictions on military service. As a result, all combat jobs will be open to women who wish to serve.

19. In a historic election held on December 12, Saudi Arabian women voted for the first time and 17 were elected to public office.

20. Global greenhouse gas emissions have dropped, a great motivator as we continue to respond to the major issue of climate change. Speaking of which, climate protesters left 10,000 shoes on the Place de la Republique when their march was canceled due to the horrific Paris attacks.

21. The Americas became the first region of the world to eliminate Rubella, or German measles. Health officials launched a wide vaccination program 15 years ago, and no home-grown cases have been received in the past 5 years.

22. Elishe Wittes, a 17-year-old transgender boy, was one of many who were able to change their gender in the new Social Security Administration under Obama's new administration policy.

23. Clients are staying HIV-free with Truvada PrEP prescriptions.

24. This puppy was lost at sea and rescued by Italian sailors.

25. Star Wars: The Force Awakens, released December 18, breaks box office records in its opening weekend.

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1.
We started the year off strong with a global achievement: solid numbers in clean energy investment. After a three-year decline, investment amounts increased by 15% at the end of 2014, according to a statement released by released by Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

2.
American Rivers set a goal to deconstruct 75 dam removals, contributing to the natural flow of rivers and streams.

3.
Did you know that India is home to around 70% of the world's tigers? Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar announced that the tiger population saw a 30% increase.

4.
The nonprofit Free Minds book club helps keep ex-offenders out of jail through reading, writing, and sharing.

5.
The Jerdon's babbler, a bird that has been marked as extinct for more than 70 years, was rediscovered in the grasslands of Myanmar.

6.
According to an annual survey conducted by state biologists in February, the number of manatees in Florida is at an all-time high. There were over 6,000 tallied.

7.
Following an investigation by Associated Press, Indonesian government officials evacuated an isolated island of Burmese slaves who were lured or tricked into working as fishermen. Findings revealed that the men had endured brutal conditions, including beatings from a paid 'enforcer.'

8.
Costa Rica ends this year with 99% renewable energy. Talk about clean!

9.
Brian Banks spent 5 years in prison plus an additional 5 years of high custody parole for a rape crime he didn't commit. He now works for the NFL and volunteers for the California Innocence Project to exonerate those in similar situations.

10.
A 21-mile commute to and from work isn't bad, but when you have to walk most of it, it can be hell. When readers learned of 56-year-old factory worker James Robertson and his daily trek, they came together to raise over $350,000 in donations.

11.
Following the significant but violent Baltimore protests, volunteers gathered at the epicenter of the action to clean up.

12.
In early May, Central African Republic militias agreed to free child soldiers and other youth workers.

13.
Ireland became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage through popular vote on May 22, 2015.

14.
Stephen Colbert gave $800,000 to teachers in South Carolina when he funded every DonorsChoose project in the state.

15.
The United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage on June 26.

16.
World War II vet, Anthony Brutto, graduates from college at the age of 94.

17.
McDonald's announced an All-Day Breakfast Menu in October after a successful test run in San Diego.

18.
In early December, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that the Defense Department will lift all gender-based restrictions on military service. As a result, all combat jobs will be open to women who wish to serve.

19.
In a historic election held on December 12, Saudi Arabian women voted for the first time and 17 were elected to public office.

20.
Global greenhouse gas emissions have dropped, a great motivator as we continue to respond to the major issue of climate change. Speaking of which, climate protesters left 10,000 shoes on the Place de la Republique when their march was canceled due to the horrific Paris attacks.

21.
The Americas became the first region of the world to eliminate Rubella, or German measles. Health officials launched a wide vaccination program 15 years ago, and no home-grown cases have been received in the past 5 years.

22.
Elishe Wittes, a 17-year-old transgender boy, was one of many who were able to change their gender in the new Social Security Administration under Obama's new administration policy.

23.
Clients are staying HIV-free with Truvada PrEP prescriptions.

24.
This puppy was lost at sea and rescued by Italian sailors.

25.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens, released December 18, breaks box office records in its opening weekend.