Determining the top 10 most inspiring human interest stories worldwide in a given year can be subjective and may vary depending on individual perspectives. However, here are ten stories from 2021 that garnered significant attention and inspired people around the world:
1. Marcus Rashford’s campaign against child food poverty: The English footballer advocated for free school meals and successfully influenced the UK government to extend support to vulnerable children.
2. Captain Sir Tom Moore’s fundraising efforts: The late World War II veteran raised millions of pounds for the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during the COVID-19 pandemic by walking laps in his garden.
3. Simone Biles prioritizing mental health during the Olympics: The renowned gymnast decided to withdraw from several events to focus on her well-being, sparking conversations about the importance of mental health in sports.
4. Buddhist monk rescues dogs during China floods: A monk from China’s Henan province saved over 8,000 dogs from the devastating floods caused by heavy rainfall.
5. Novak Djokovic’s achievements in tennis: The Serbian tennis player became the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four Grand Slam tournaments in a single year, demonstrating perseverance and skill.
6. Malala Yousafzai graduates from Oxford: The Pakistani activist and Nobel laureate celebrated her graduation from the University of Oxford, reinforcing her commitment to education and women’s rights.
7. Gitanjali Rao’s innovation: The 16-year-old Indian-American scientist and inventor created a device that detects lead in drinking water, addressing a critical issue and empowering communities.
8. Syrian refugee climbs Mount Everest: Wasfia Nazreen, a Bangladeshi mountaineer of Syrian origin, became the first Syrian woman to climb Mount Everest, symbolizing resilience and hope.
9. Johanna Colon’s viral dance performance: A video of the seven-year-old dancing with unbridled joy during a recital captivated millions online, spreading happiness during challenging times.
10. SpaceX’s all-civilian Inspiration4 mission: A crew of four civilians embarked on a three-day journey aboard a SpaceX spacecraft, representing a significant step in commercial space travel accessibility.
These stories encapsulate achievements, acts of kindness, determination, and resilience that inspired people globally in 2021.
