International Tea Day May 21, 2024

There"s nothing quite like a nice cup of tea. Whether you like Darjeeling, Earl Grey, oolong, matcha or English breakfast, today"s the day to celebrate this beloved brew: May 21 is International Tea Day. People have been drinking tea for at least 5,000 years. The drink originated in China, but in the 16th and 17th centuries, it was introduced to Western merchants, who helped to spread it around the world. It is now the second most consumed drink in the world after water.

© alex cheong/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

A bridge that holds up history
MPs most photographed big cat
May 21, 2025International Tea Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jan 26, 2026Republic Day
Apr 17, 2024Rama Navami
Nov 17, 2025Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, United States
A very public display of affection
Feb 28, 2024Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, England
Dec 21, 2025Winter solstice
Will we be ready for the ‘big one?’
Feb 23, 2024Haghartsin Monastery, Armenia
Where are these birds headed?
Nov 19, 2025Hungarian Parliament Building, Budapest, Hungary
Mar 22, 2024World Water Day
Back to the future
Aug 22, 2023Amphitheatre of El Jem, Tunisia
Aug 21, 2025Wheatear, Peak District National Park, England
Mar 5, 2024Bangkok, Thailand
A church atop a hill
May 30, 2025Little Pigeon River, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States
May 21, 2025International Tea Day
Feb 12, 2024Volcán Alcedo giant tortoises
Nov 8, 2023Crystal River, Three Sisters Spring, Florida, USA
Jun 3, 2025World Bicycle Day
Jun 10, 2025Everglades National Park, Florida, United States
Aug 21, 2024Nazca boobies, Wolf Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Jun 13, 2025Vila Franca Islet, São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
Aug 31, 2025Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska, United States
Jul 28, 2024Colourful bathing huts on the beach in Skåne County, Sweden
Underwater underground
In the tropics, land greets sea warmly
Jun 15, 2024Nazaré, Portugal
Oct 29, 2024Great horned owl