There once lived a cow named Big Bertha who drank whiskey, lived until she was 48, had 39 calves, broke two Guinness World Records and raised $75,000 for cancer research. Sounds crazy, but it's true... mostly. According to fact-checking site Snopes, anyway. Their experts couldn't verify the cow's beverage of choice, nor the actual amount raised, but they did find evidence to prove everything else, and didn't dispute that the Irish cow managed to raise a substantial amount of money doing appearances.
Why are we telling you this? Because it's cool and interesting, and we all need a break from the misery of bad news that seems to haunt us on a daily basis. The tale of Big Bertha is one of many happy and random facts that can be found on an IG account called Book of Leaders. The page has an impressive following of more than a million people, and we can see why. It's the perfect place to go when you need a dollop of dopamine or a dash of general knowledge.
Bored Panda has put together the best tidbits from the account to warm your icy heart. Feel free to share them with anyone who seems down, and don't forget to upvote your favorites. We've also written an article about the positive effects of happy facts and stories. You'll find that info between the pics.
#42
She told the outlet she’d do it again because some of them couldn’t afford the basic meals, and possibly hadn’t eaten enough the night before.
Debbie Solsman, a cafeteria worker in Wilmington, Ohio, was fired in February 2017 after admitting to giving extra food to students who couldn’t afford it. She acknowledged providing additional meals to students who were still hungry after their regular lunch, sometimes using her own money or leaving IOUs to cover the cost. The district terminated her employment for ‘failure to account for food sales at her cashier job in the cafeteria.
Solsman expressed that she would continue to help hungry children if given the opportunity, emphasizing her belief in addressing students’ immediate needs over strict adherence to policies.
Unfortunately, she passed away on October 5, 2019, at the age of 59.
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69points
#43
A 99-year-old woman from the Netherlands named Annie fulfilled her unusual “bucket list” wish of experiencing time in a police cell.
Although she had committed no crime, local police in Nijmegen Zuid granted her family’s request to briefly let her sit in a cell.
Annie was delighted by the experience, and pictures of the event, shared by the police online, gained widespread attention and positive reactions from social media users worldwide.
The gesture was praised as heartwarming, with many applauding the police for accommodating Annie’s special wish.
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68points
#44
In a heartwarming story from rural Minnesota, a man suffered a heart attack while shopping at a local grocery store. In an extraordinary display of community spirit, 20 people who were nearby stepped up to help.
They lined up to perform CPR on the man for over an hour and a half, working together until paramedics arrived.
Thanks to their quick and coordinated actions, the man survived the ordeal. This incredible act of kindness and teamwork highlights the power of people coming together in times of crisis.
They lined up to perform CPR on the man for over an hour and a half, working together until paramedics arrived.
Thanks to their quick and coordinated actions, the man survived the ordeal. This incredible act of kindness and teamwork highlights the power of people coming together in times of crisis.
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65points
#45
Penguins have an adorable courtship ritual where males search for the smoothest, most perfect pebble to offer a female- essentially a proposal.
This gesture is particularly common among Gentoo penguins. If the female accepts the pebble, it signals the start of their bonding, and they become a pair.
These pebbles are later used to build nests together, reinforcing their partnership and laying the foundation; literally and emotionally, for raising their chicks.
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63points
#46
In 2018, the Swedish YouTuber behind the channel “Never Give Up” posted a 24-minute video titled “Being Ugly: My Experience,” where he openly discussed his dissatisfaction with his appearance, detailing features he disliked about his face and physique. He expressed feelings of loneliness and the challenges he faced due to his perceived unattractiveness.
The video garnered widespread attention, amassing over 20 million views and numerous supportive comments. Among them was a comment from a user named Juli.Romina.M, who wrote, “I actually think you’re kinda cute tbh. I mean it.” This simple comment led to further communication between the two, evolving into a long-distance relationship. Within a year, they met in person, and their connection grew even stronger. Their love story led to marriage, and in July 2024, they announced they were expecting a baby girl named Stella. A reminder that kindness, no matter how small, can change a life forever.
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61points
#47
A baked sweet potato in its skin contains about 1,403 mcg of vitamin A, which is 561% of the daily recommended amount.
Vitamin A is important for eye health and immune function.
Sweet potatoes are also high in vitamin C, manganese, copper, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B6.
Sweet potatoes are also high in vitamin C, manganese, copper, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B6.
Deep-orange sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, an antioxidant that may help protect against illness.
Sweet potatoes are also good for your reproductive system and organs like your heart and kidneys.
They can help keep your blood sugar steady and may even reduce your cancer risk.
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51points
#48
Lois Gibson, former model and Guinness World Record holder for sketch artist who has solved the most crimes.
Motivated by her own experience surviving a violent incident at the age of 21, Gibson’s composite sketches have led to the identification of over 1,300 criminals. She also drew the first forensic sketch on America’s Most Wanted, which helped identify the suspect and solve the case.
Gibson has shared her knowledge through teaching at Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety and through her book, Forensic Art Essentials, which is used by law enforcement agencies nationwide.
In addition to her crime-solving work, Gibson also gained attention for analyzing historic photos, such as identifying Glenn McDuffie as the sailor in the iconic “V-J Day in Times Square” photograph
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51points
#49
In 2019, priests in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, conducted a symbolic wedding between two frogs as part of a traditional ritual meant to appease the rain gods and end a drought!
The ceremony was rooted in ancient beliefs that marrying frogs could bring about rainfall. Remarkably, after the wedding, the region saw heavy, unrelenting rain, raising fears of flooding. To symbolically “halt” the downpour, the priests later performed a ritual “divorce” between the frogs.
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47points
#50
Oita Airport in Kunisaki has officially been rebranded as Oita Hello Kitty Airport — complete with Sanrio characters, themed decor, and even special merch.
The transformation, which began April 13 and runs through October 13 to coincide with Expo 2025 in Osaka, kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Kuromi.
Inside the airport, travelers will find Hello Kitty-themed signage, a photo zone with giant bath buckets (a nod to Oita’s famous hot springs), and a souvenir shop selling exclusive items like T-shirts, cookies, and luggage tags. A new bus service also now connects the airport to Sanrio’s Harmonyland theme park, about an hour away.
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27points
