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Apr. 18, 2024International Day for Monuments and Sites

Today is a monumental occasion: International Day for Monuments and Sites. Also called World Heritage Day, the event aims to highlight how important the task of conserving our cultural heritage is. A monument can be anything from an architectural work to a sculpture—something that has outstanding value from a historical, artistic or scientific point of view. Some of the amazing heritage sites around the world include Machu Picchu in Peru and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The stone structure in today"s image is part of the medieval city walls of Ávila in Spain. Built between the 11th and 14th centuries, these fortifications have a perimeter of over 2,438 metres. When they were first built, they served to defend the city against attacks from outsiders; nowadays, visitors can walk around nearly half of the circumference of the walls, enjoying views of the city and the surrounding countryside.Desktop Version

Sep. 10, 2023Grandparents Day

Have you called your oma or pop pop lately? No matter what you call them, there"s no better time to pick up the phone than Grandparents Day. The holiday was proclaimed in August 1978 and designated that, henceforth, the Sunday after Labour Day would celebrate and honour the special place that grandparents hold in our lives. Grandparents help raise new generations, hold and pass along history and memories, and share wisdom that can only be attained through years of experience. Wisdom is not always indicated by a thick Wilford-Brimley-esque moustache, but whiskers do lend a certain esteemed quality. Perhaps that"s why these Atlantic walruses look like they"re about to tell you what life was like back in their day.Desktop Version

Oct. 8, 2023World Octopus Day

Don"t blame yourself if you are not sure what you are looking at. The veined octopus, also known as the coconut octopus, is one of the smartest animals on Earth and has an exceptional talent for building deceptive shelter from seashells and coconut shells. If you peek inside, you may notice some arms covered with circular suction cups; octopuses have eight of these limbs, which is where their name originates from. "Októpus" is a Greek word, meaning "eight-footed". The arms, lined with suckers, have clusters of neurons in them, which make them particularly sensitive. Each arm—attached to the conical head—can be used separately, allowing the octopus to solve often complex tasks. Octopuses can match the colour—sometimes even the texture—of their environment, which might be another reason why you don"t spot them easily.Desktop Version

You otter check this out

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History awaits atop the hill

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May 4, 2024Star Wars Day

Lightsabers gleam and droids beep; let"s all geek! During this galactic holiday, fans around the world unite to revel in everything Star Wars—from watching these saga films to dressing up as their favourite characters. Today"s image flashes out a filming location from the "Star Wars" sequel trilogy, the island of Skellig Michael, off the coast of southwestern Ireland. This UNESCO World Heritage landmark houses a preserved monastery from the 6th century, founded by early monks. The site"s beehive huts and stone staircases were showcased as the backdrop of a cloistered island on planet Ahch-To, where Jedi Master Luke Skywalker sought refuge in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." Skellig Michael"s abundant seabird population, including puffins, inspired the creation of the penguin-like porgs that roost on Ahch-To. So, grab your Wookiee co-pilot, hop in your starship and may the force be strong as you journey through this galactic Earth location not so far away!Desktop Version

May 28, 2024The Monastery of Roussanou, Greece

When you think of Greece, you might picture sea, sandy shores, whitewashed buildings and blue domes. However, there is so much more to this country. Pictured here is the Roussanou Monastery, nestled amidst the towering cliffs of a rock formation called Meteora in Thessaly, northern Greece. Legend has it that in the 14th century, a group of monks seeking refuge from political turmoil scaled these cliffs to establish their hermitages. Roussanou is one of the six remaining monasteries in the Meteora UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once you"ve conquered the climb, you"ll be greeted by stunning panoramic views, but the real treasures lie within the monastery itself—a world of Byzantine art and architecture. This style emerged in the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire, which lasted from the 4th century CE until the fall of Constantinople in 1453. So, are you ready to take the climb?Desktop Version

Mar. 9, 2025Daylight saving time begins

It"s that time of year again—when clocks spring forward, stealing an hour of sleep but giving us longer evenings to enjoy. Daylight saving time (DST) starts today at 2 AM, reminding us that time, quite literally, waits for no one. The idea is simple: maximising daylight and reducing energy consumption by syncing our activities with the natural light cycle. This concept was popularised by Benjamin Franklin in the 18th century, though his suggestion to "save candles" was more satirical than a serious proposal. Fast forward to the early 20th century, and many countries adopted DST to conserve fuel during wartime. Today, DST runs from March to November in around 70 countries, giving us eight months of extended evening light.Desktop Version

Jul. 26, 2024Summer Olympics begin in Paris

Today marks the start of the Summer Olympics in Paris. The City of Light becomes the second city, after London, to host the Summer Olympics for a third time. What makes these Games truly unique is the opening ceremony: rather than in a stadium, participants will parade along the Seine on a flotilla of boats, passing under the Pont Neuf, pictured here, and cheered by spectators lining both banks. Paris is no stranger to historic firsts; the 1900 Games in the city was where women competed for the first time, although only 22 out of 997 athletes were women.Desktop Version

Little Island, Big Sea

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Stripes in sight

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Sep. 4, 2024Dusky eagle-owls, Pakistan

As daylight fades, dusky eagle-owls, the silent hunters seen in today"s image, emerge from their nests. These primarily nocturnal raptors were photographed in Pakistan but can also be found in the forests and scrublands across South and Southeast Asia. An impressive wingspan of 48-53 centimetres, piercing yellow eyes and exceptional hearing help them catch small mammals and birds with precision in dim light. Measuring up to 0.6 metres tall, these feathered predators can also be spotted hunting in the daytime when the weather is cloudy. They often live in the abandoned nests of other birds or in natural crevices. Dusky eagle-owls breed in December and January, usually rearing their young in the safety of tall trees or cliff ledges. Nature lovers and bird watchers are captivated by their solemn gaze and elegant stature.Desktop Version

An iridescent view

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Sep. 17, 2024Mid-Autumn Festival

For many Asian cultures, the point at which the moon reaches its fullest during the harvest season marks the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival. It"s traditionally observed on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. Dating back more than 3,000 years to China"s Shang Dynasty, this festival celebrates moon watching and the end of the harvest season. During the festivities, mooncakes—round delicacies filled with sweet bean paste, salted egg yolks or lotus seeds—are often shared among friends and family. Lanterns of different shapes, sizes and hues, symbolising good fortune, illuminate the night. Asian communities across the world come together to showcase a mélange of cultural performances, heartfelt renditions of the Moon Festival"s poetic tales.Desktop Version

Where are these illuminated walkways?

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Nov. 19, 2024Tasmans Arch, Tasman National Park, Tasmania, Australia

Ready for a coastal adventure? Welcome to Tasman National Park in Tasmania, an island state of Australia about 240 kilometres off the mainland"s southeastern coast. Spanning more than 100 square kilometres, this park covers sections of both the Forestier and Tasman peninsulas, including all of Tasman Island. This park is home to several unique flowering plants, as well as Australian fur seals and little penguins. Dramatic cliffs and distinctive columns of dolerite are a key feature of this area.Desktop Version