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Everybody loves World Turtle Day
Everybody loves World Turtle Day
Our be-shelled buddy lives in Yasuni National Park in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The park is considered one of Earth’s most diverse ecosystems—and a great place to celebrate World Turtle Day. The observance focuses on protecting turtles and tortoises, and the habitats they call home. About those butterflies: They’re licking salt and other minerals off the yellow-spotted river turtle’s face. And now you know that’s a thing that some butterfly species do.Desktop Version
Pups of the prairie
Pups of the prairie
These swift fox pups make their home in Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan, Canada. Historically, the range of this cat-sized fox stretched across the short grass prairies of Canada down through the central US to the Texas Panhandle. But as agriculture and settlements overtook open grasslands, swift fox numbers declined precipitously. By the 1930s, they had completely disappeared from the wild in Canada.Desktop Version
Eurasian scops owl
Eurasian scops owl
In the owl world, you"re either a member of the Strigidae or Tytonidae. That might sound like two warring houses from "Game of Thrones," but these are the two families of classification that make up the 200+ species of owls around the world. The Tytonidae family includes barn owls, which have distinct heart-shaped facial disks, while the larger Strigidae family consists of true (or typical) owls, most of which have round faces.Desktop Version
Buddha in the roots of a tree, Ayutthaya, Thailand
Buddha in the roots of a tree, Ayutthaya, Thailand
This is the profile of Gautama Buddha, peeking out of tree roots at an ancient Buddhist temple in the city of Ayutthaya in central Thailand. This city once served as the capital of the ancient kingdom of Ayutthaya, a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767 before it was destroyed by the Burmese Army. You can explore the city’s remains at the Ayutthaya Historical Park.Desktop Version
A treaty for science
A treaty for science
Twelve nations signed the Antarctic Treaty System on December 1, 1959, establishing the ice-covered continent as a place for scientific study open to all nations and banning any military activity there. Since then, additional countries joined in the treaty—now 53 nations participate in activities at the various research stations there. Our photo shows the northernmost part of Antarctica, the Antarctic Peninsula, south of Chile and Argentina.Desktop Version
Computer science on the page
Computer science on the page
Computer Science Education Week begins today, and because the field can seem daunting to the uninitiated, we’re showing a very relatable document that humanizes the work behind computer science. The notebook in this photo contains equations and ideas crafted by Alan Turing, the British mathematician and early computer scientist who helped the Allies win World War II when he cracked the code of Nazi Germany’s Enigma machine. In 2015, Turing’s notebook, written while he was working on the Enigma code, was sold at auction for more than $1 million.Desktop Version
Sunburst at Angkor
Sunburst at Angkor
The spring equinox finds us at Angkor Wat, the most famous Buddhist temple in Angkor Archaeological Park. The park is essentially a 154-square-mile collection of historic temples and related holy sites just outside the city of Siem Reap, Cambodia. On the equinox, when the sun rises it aligns with the top of the main tower at Angkor Wat before climbing farther into the sky to usher in longer days and shorter nights. Of course, if this photo is any indication, every sunrise at Angkor Wat is spectacular.Desktop Version
Aerial view of the Colorado River Delta in Mexico
Aerial view of the Colorado River Delta in Mexico
For centuries, the Colorado River emptied into the Gulf of California between the Baja Peninsula and the mainland of Mexico. But dams and diversions have reduced the delta to a trickle, resulting in the desert-like landscape seen in this image. Conservation efforts on the parts of Mexico and the United States are helping to return the Colorado Delta to its former condition.Desktop Version
Celebrating Helsinki’s birthday at the Kiasma Museum
Celebrating Helsinki’s birthday at the Kiasma Museum
Greetings from Helsinki, the capital of the world’s happiest country. Edgy-looking sites like the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art—shown here—sure make the city look young for its 468 years. This year Helsinki has twice the reason to celebrate, as Finland received a #1 ranking in the 2018 World Happiness Report, a UN publication that ranks countries based on characteristics like income, health, freedom, and social support.Desktop Version
A bison preserve
A bison preserve
Once 60 million strong, bison were nearly wiped out from the North American plains in the 1800s. Then, in 1893, the owner of Antelope Island in Utah’s Great Salt Lake reintroduced 12 bison to the island as the foundation herd for a hunting operation. But the project failed, and without wolves on the island, the bison had no natural predators, so they thrived. (Incidentally, antelope brought to the island did not survive a similar effort.) Today, a herd of 550 to 700 bison roams here, protected as one of the attractions at Antelope Island State Park. Happy Bison Day!Desktop Version
Perfect timing
Perfect timing
If the first day of daylight saving time doesn"t have you springing for joy, this towering timekeeper might be more your speed. The astronomical clock at Lyon Cathedral in France was built in 1660, centuries before daylight saving time was widely adopted in the 20th century. The clock"s intersecting hands and dials don"t just tell time, they form a flattened model of our planet that tracks the positions of the sun and moon relative to Earth. The zodiac dial, offset to account for the planet"s rotational tilt, shows the star sign currently in season.Desktop Version
The puffin-rabbit connection
The puffin-rabbit connection
Atlantic puffins spend most of their lives at sea—either flying over the surf as they migrate and search for fishing spots, or diving into the water to gobble up fish. But in spring and summer they come ashore to nest, meet up with their mates, and with any luck, raise a chick or two. Puffins can dig their own burrows, as they prefer to build nests underground atop seaside cliffs. But if there are rabbit warrens around, the puffins have no problem moving into empty burrows. They’re not even above kicking a rabbit out to take over.Desktop Version
Celebrating Pie Day is as easy as, well…
Celebrating Pie Day is as easy as, well…
Can these frosty apples be salvaged in time for National Pie Day today? The annual event—a simple celebration of the beloved desserts–was created by the American Pie Council (APC), a group dedicated to ‘preserving America"s pie heritage and promoting America"s love affair with pies.’ According to a survey conducted by the APC in 2008, more Americans prefer apple pie over any other, and it’s that variety which inspired our homepage today. But while many things may be as American as apple pie, it’s generally believed that the pie itself originated in England. In fact, English poet Geoffrey Chaucer penned a recipe in 1381 for a pie that includes apples, spices, raisins, figs, pears, and saffron. If you have a favorite pie, it sounds like today’s a sweet day to celebrate.Desktop Version
Let s run em up!
Let s run em up!
Since most large social gatherings have been postponed or canceled, we"re bringing the Armed Forces Day air show to you, courtesy of the US Air Force"s demonstration squadron, the Thunderbirds. In recent weeks, the Thunderbirds have joined with the Navy"s Blue Angels air squadron to conduct formation flights over several American cities as a salute to essential workers and health care personnel on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The two services are flying over some cities together and others separately. In a press release, Air Force Lt. Col. John Caldwell, the Thunderbird commander and lead pilot, said, "We are honored to fly over these cities in a display of national unity and support for the men and women keeping our communities safe."Desktop Version
National Park Week: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
National Park Week: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Cactus flowers and historic landmarks await visitors at this national park east of El Paso, Texas. Here you’ll find the four largest peaks in Texas, as well as towering El Capitan, a dramatic looking peak that was used as a landmark by stagecoach drivers delivering passengers and mail. Visitors here can view the ruins of the stage line and visit Frijole Ranch–once a center of ranching in this mountain range. Ancient rock art and pottery indicate people lived here as early as 10,000 years ago.Desktop Version
Hiking the High Trestle Trail
Hiking the High Trestle Trail
The unique 130-foot-tall bridge you see here is just a small part of a longer 25-mile trail that connects five small towns in central Iowa. The High Trestle Trail is a rail trail—a decommissioned railroad track that’s been turned into a multiuse trail—and it follows the path of an old Union Pacific Railroad freight line. The rail-to-trail movement began in the 1960s when many railroad tracks began to be removed and people noted that the relatively flat rail corridors were perfect for hiking and biking trails. We can now enjoy thousands of miles of rail trails throughout the US. So today, on National Trails Day, find a trail near you and get outside to celebrate.Desktop Version
In Sicily, history is everywhere
In Sicily, history is everywhere
Today we"re in Montalbano Elicona on the island of Sicily. The town is known for the very old castle at the crest of the hill, as well as the quaint medieval village below. It"s no wonder that Montalbano Elicona has been called one of the most beautiful towns in all of Italy. The castle itself was built in the early 13th century by medieval power broker Frederick II of Swabia. He wore many hats, including King of Sicily, Holy Roman Emperor, and—as far-fetched as it sounds—King of Jerusalem, a title he claimed after conquering that city during the Sixth Crusade. The castle was originally designed as a fortress, but it also served as a summer residence for Frederick and rulers who followed him.Desktop Version
Frozen fun in the Canadian cold
Frozen fun in the Canadian cold
Not far downriver from Montreal, where the banks of the St. Lawrence River widen as it approaches the Atlantic, lies Quebec"s picturesque and often chilly capital. Quebec City, one of the continent"s oldest European settlements, is often called the most European city outside Europe. It"s the only North American city outside Mexico whose fortified walls still stand, and its winding streets showcase a French-tinged exemplar of old Romantic architecture (typified by the steep-roofed Château Frontenac in the photo"s foreground).Desktop Version
It s Republic Day in India
It s Republic Day in India
For India"s 70th Republic Day, we"re featuring an uncommon view of the Taj Mahal in Agra. It"s on this day that India celebrates its official beginning as an independent democratic republic after having endured nearly a century of British rule. Republic Day events include presentations of the Padma Awards (national service honors), a Republic Day parade in New Delhi, and other ceremonies.Desktop Version
Ronda, Spain
Ronda, Spain
Today we"re visiting the mountaintop town of Ronda in the Málaga province of Andalusia, in the south of Spain. First settled by the Celts and later inhabited by the Romans and Moors, this dramatic cliffside setting is split in two by the El Tajo gorge, a rocky drop plummeting nearly 400 feet to the Guadalevín River. There are three bridges that span the gorge, the largest and newest of which features in the center of our homepage image and is—appropriately enough—called Puente Nuevo (New Bridge). Despite its name, the bridge is more than a couple of centuries old—it was completed in 1793 and connects the Moorish old town, La Ciudad, with the new town, El Mercadillo.Desktop Version
‘Ocian in view! O! The joy.’
‘Ocian in view! O! The joy.’
At Ecola State Park, a part of the Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks, you can walk in the steps of Meriweather Lewis and William Clark, who arrived at the Pacific in mid-November in 1805. It was 1 year, 6 months, and a day after leaving St. Louis, Missouri, with the Corps of Discovery on their mission to explore the Pacific Northwest. Upon seeing the ocean, Clark wrote in his journal: ‘Ocian in view! O! The joy.’ Shortly after arriving on the west coast, the expedition voted to spend the winter near present day Astoria, where they constructed Fort Clatsop. These historic locations remain popular attractions for visitors to the scenic Oregon coast.Desktop Version
There once was a lighthouse from...
There once was a lighthouse from...
Nantucket is the island home of about 12,000 people. But venture to its sandy northern reaches, composed of narrow sand spits and only accessible via 4x4 vehicles, and you might not bump into many folks on your way to this historic—and still very important—lighthouse.Desktop Version
Replica of a Viking home in Dublin National Botanic Gardens, Ireland
Replica of a Viking home in Dublin National Botanic Gardens, Ireland
One of the more recent additions to the National Botanical Gardens in Dublin is this Viking house. This structure was hand-built in 2014 using 11th-century tools and represents what a typical Vikiing home looked like in this region. The home is roughly 340 square feet, a typical dwelling in Dublin 1,000 years ago.Desktop Version
Lights, camera, Sundance
Lights, camera, Sundance
The Sundance Film Festival begins today in Utah, bringing glitz and glamour to the ski town of Park City. When it first launched in 1978, the goal of the festival was to highlight American-made films and attract filmmakers to Utah. Robert Redford has long been involved in the festival, serving as chairman at the first event and in the years since, helping it become the media extravaganza it is today. In 1984 Redford’s Sundance Institute took over management of the festival, hence the ‘Sundance’ name, which comes from the name of the character he played in ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.’ In its 41-year history, Sundance has become perhaps the premier showcase for American independent and documentary film. We look forward to seeing what innovative new films steal the limelight in 2019.Desktop Version
‘The memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever’
‘The memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever’
The iconic Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC, is chock full of symbolism and details for eagle-eyed observers to discover. Dedicated on this day in 1922, the landmark has 36 columns, representing each of the states in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death. The president’s pose was designed to represent both his strength and compassion (one fist is clenched, the other at rest), and even the building materials were sourced from locations significant to his life and legacy. Look closely at the inscription on the wall of the north chamber and you’ll even spot a typo in the text of Lincoln’s second inaugural address, where the sculptor carved ‘EUTURE’ instead of ’FUTURE.’ Oops! The inscription has since been corrected, but the original mistake remains discernable.Desktop Version