As the new year dawned over Times Square, an electronic board beamed a simple message of celebration: 'Happy New Year' on 1 January 2025. Yet, as the year unfolded, the news cycle was often dominated by more difficult stories. Now, The Guardian is reaching out to people across the United States to hear about the moments that cut through the gloom.
A Call for Stories of Hope
We are asking our readers to reflect on the past year and identify the news events that served as a genuine ray of light. While 2025 presented its share of challenging headlines, we believe there were also stories that lifted spirits, offered hope, or simply brought a smile. What was that moment for you? Did a particular headline or report give you a sense of optimism or happiness? We want to hear about your favourite positive news story of the year.
How to Share Your Experience
You can tell us about a moment that brought you hope using the secure form provided below. We welcome contributions from anyone aged 18 or over, and you are free to share your story anonymously if you wish. All responses are encrypted, and only The Guardian will have access to your contribution.
We will use the data you provide solely for the purpose of this feature and will delete any personal information when it is no longer required. For full details, please refer to our terms of service and privacy policy.
Secure and Anonymous Communication
For those who prefer alternative methods, we also offer secure ways to get in touch. You can contact us via WhatsApp or Signal on +447766780300. For fully anonymous communication, we recommend using our Secure Messaging service. If you encounter any issues with the form, further guidance is available.
By sharing these moments of hope and happiness, we can collectively highlight the positive developments that often go unnoticed. Your story could be the one that reminds others of the light amidst the headlines.
