Shari Arison launches first ‘Good Deeds Day’
Launched 15 years ago in Israel as a small local event, the project has since expanded to include participants in 108 countries unifying for a day of good.
Good News Links
Massachusetts becomes first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that it was unconstitutional under the Massachusetts Constitution to allow only opposite-sex couples to marry.
Belgium becomes second country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Belgium since 1 June 2003, making it the second country in the world to open marriage to same-sex couples, after the Netherlands, and 9 days ahead of the Canadian province of Ontario. Legislation to grant marriage rights to same-sex couples was passed by both chambers of the Federal Parliament in November 2002 and January 2003 with the support of most political parties, and received royal assent on 13 February 2003.
The Human Genome Project is completed
The Human Genome Project was an international scientific research project to determine the sequence of nucleotide base pairs of human DNA, and of identifying and mapping all of the genes of the human genome.
Bangladesh becomes world’s first country to ban thin plastic bags
The South Asian nation took unprecedented action when it found that plastic bags played a key role in clogging drainage systems during disastrous flooding.
New Zealand’s prime minister Helen Clark formally apologizes to Samoa
New Zealand’s prime minister Helen Clark formally apologized for two incidents during the period of New Zealand’s administration: a failure in 1918 to quarantine the SS Talune, which carried the ‘Spanish ‘flu’ to Samoa.
Bangaldesh implements world’s first plastic bag ban
In 2002, Bangladesh became the first country in the world to ban lightweight plastic bags, a groundbreaking move inspired by devastating floods caused by clogged drains. The ban set a global precedent and sparked international attention to plastic pollution. While challenges with enforcement and alternatives have slowed progress, the policy has raised public awareness and inspired innovations in eco-friendly materials like jute, cassava, and cloth bags. Bangladesh’s pioneering step continues to influence environmental policy worldwide, and ongoing efforts to strengthen enforcement and expand sustainable alternatives keep the country positioned as a trailblazer in the fight against plastic waste.
The African Union is founded by 55 member states
The AU has many key objectives, including fostering greater unity, cohesion and solidarity between the African countries and African nations.
Banksy creates “Girl with Balloon” mural in London
Girl with Balloon is a 2002-started London series of stencil murals by the graffiti artist Banksy. A 2017 Samsung poll ranked Girl with Balloon as the United Kingdom’s number one favorite artwork.
The Netherlands became the world’s first country to legalize same-sex marriage
No country recognized marriage between two people of the same sex prior to the 21st century, but a law to legalize marriage equality passed the Dutch legislature in 2000 and went into effect several months later.