5. Hostages released and found: Laura Ling and Euna Lee were released from North Korea; Jaycee Dugard was found and reunited with her family after 18 years.

4. Captain Sullenberger became an unexpected, but much needed hero with the Miracle on the Hudson.

3. Twitter became a household name and united millions when brave Iranians tweeted out their version of elections gone bad; and millions of others connected with their 140 character tweets.

2. Susan Boyle reminded everyone it’s not too late to follow their dreams when she competed in Britain’s Got Talent and has sold 2.98 million records.

1. A decade of unhappiness that includes wars, unprecedented natural disasters, recessions, almost financial collapse, increased terrorism, and political unrest finally ends with the hopes of a happier decade beginning in 2010.

Happiest Moment of the Decade: The Science of Happiness Turns 10