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English National Ballet performing The Nutcracker
English National Ballet performing The Nutcracker
Every holiday season, as snow begins to fall and Christmas lights twinkle in the night, the story of "The Nutcracker" comes to life on stages around the world. Written by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1892, this beloved ballet is based on E.T.A. Hoffmann"s fairy tale "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King." Set on Christmas Eve, it follows a young girl named Clara, who goes on an adventure with the Nutcracker Prince as they battle the evil Mouse King. Many renowned ballet companies present their rendition of this classic every year, including the New York City Ballet, the Boston Ballet, and the English National Ballet, pictured here.Desktop Version
Saint Nicholas Day in Verbier, Switzerland
Saint Nicholas Day in Verbier, Switzerland
We"re used to Santa Claus sliding down chimneys, but who knew he could ski? Thousands of Santa Clauses make a stunning downhill display to open the ski season in Verbier, Switzerland, each year. Why the costumes? Their annual descent also celebrates the feast day of Saint Nicholas, observed in Europe on December 5 and in the US on December 6.Desktop Version
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
The Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument is an untamed wilderness of cliffs and canyons in the heart of southern Utah. The Grand Staircase is a sequence of five majestic sandstone cliffs, rising approximately 5,500 feet across the expanse of the monument. Each step records a different era in Earth"s geological history, a vast showcase of changes over 200 million years. Archaeologists have found prehistoric artifacts, petrified wood, and dinosaur fossils which are over 75 million years old. In human history, the Ancestral Puebloan and Fremont people mastered the art of farming in this challenging terrain. They constructed granaries to store and preserve their harvests. Today, it is a popular getaway for nature enthusiasts and travelers seeking adventure.Desktop Version
Black History Month
Black History Month
Born in New Orleans around the turn of the 20th century, with a sound that came from the blues, ragtime, and call-and-response vocals, jazz music is a notable chapter in Black history. You can almost hear John "Dizzy" Gillespie playing his signature bent trumpet, featured on our homepage today. Gillespie made his name in bebop, often called the first modern form of jazz, playing alongside other greats including Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and Thelonious Monk. Black musicians created genres like rock and roll, funk, hip-hop, and soul, the soundtrack to American culture and Black history.Desktop Version
World Wildlife Day
World Wildlife Day
It"s time to step into the wild! This year"s World Wildlife Day focuses on how advances in digital technology can help to preserve wildlife, for example through research, communication, and DNA analysis. Digital platforms can also be a way to get younger people involved in protecting our planet"s animals and plants.Desktop Version
Lake Tyrrell, Victoria, Australia
Lake Tyrrell, Victoria, Australia
At Lake Tyrrell, in southern Australia, the sky meets the Earth in a dazzling display. The state of Victoria"s largest salt lake was formed around 120,000 years ago. Over time, climate changes caused water levels to drop; these days, the lake is normally dry, except in winter when it"s covered in about 2 inches of water. The name "Tyrrell" comes from the local Wergaia word for "sky," a nod to the Boorong Aboriginal People"s interest in astronomy. Spanning more than 70 square miles, Lake Tyrrell is a haven for wildlife, including kangaroos, emus, and various reptiles.Desktop Version
Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds, England
Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds, England
Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds comprise a living, vibrant park, and just not because of their 14 acres of colorful displays and ornate flowerbeds. The gardens have changed with the times, all while still jealously guarding their history. The site here in the county of Suffolk, in eastern England, was originally home to a powerful Benedictine abbey in medieval times—in fact, 2022 marks the 1,000th anniversary of the storied abbey. You can still visit the abbey ruins and marvel at the 14th-century Great Gate and Norman Tower, which have survived through the ages. Nathaniel Hodson took the original abbey gardens and designed them as a botanical garden in 1831, using the Royal Botanic Gardens in Brussels, with their concentric circles, as his inspiration.Desktop Version
National Park Week continues
National Park Week continues
As National Park Week unfurls its green banners, let"s take a stroll down Sparks Lane, a gem situated within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee. Established in 1934, the park encompasses over 522,419 acres of wilderness. The forests, which cover most of the park, are home to 1,500 species of flowering plants, 952 algae, 65 species of mammals, and over 240 species of birds, making it an International Biosphere Reserve.Desktop Version
Three Natural Bridges, Wulong Karst, China
Three Natural Bridges, Wulong Karst, China
Carved by nature over centuries, the Three Natural Bridges tower over a deep gorge in Wulong Karst. This part of China is known for its karst landscape, which includes towering arches, extensive caves, and other rock formations. These limestone bridges are named after three dragons: Tianlong (Sky Dragon), Heilong (Black Dragon), and Qinglong (Azure Dragon), which is the tallest at 922 feet. Visitors can explore the mossy gorge beneath and the wider Wulong Karst National Geology Park, including the 9,337-foot Furong Cave with its huge limestone stalactites. Standing beneath these magnificent natural bridges, you can"t help but be humbled by the sheer power of time and nature.Desktop Version
Presidents Day
Presidents Day
The United States of America has had 46 commanders in chief, and today, the third Monday of February, we commemorate their legacies. Initially established to honor George Washington"s birthday, Presidents Day has evolved into a celebration of all presidents. Revered among them is Abraham Lincoln, a towering figure in American history, who guided the country through the Civil War and abolished slavery in America. The Lincoln Memorial, seen in today"s image, overlooks the Reflecting Pool at the west end of the National Mall in Washington, DC. Designed in a neoclassical style, the memorial is a poignant destination for those seeking to connect with American history during Presidents Day, and beyond.Desktop Version
Great Backyard Bird Count
Great Backyard Bird Count
For the next four days, birdwatchers all over the world will be taking part in the Great Backyard Bird Count. Bird lovers will identify the feathered friends they see or hear in their area and report their findings. The data helps scientists protect birds by providing information about how populations and habitats change over time.Desktop Version
Short-eared owl
Short-eared owl
The short-eared owl, featured in today"s image, is a grassland-dwelling member of the owl family. Found on all continents except Antarctica and Australia, it"s one of the most widely distributed bird species. This raptor belongs to the genus Asio, whose members are characterized by feather tufts ("ears") on their head. The short-eared owl only reveals its tufts when feeling defensive.Desktop Version
Mountain goats at Glacier National Park in Montana
Mountain goats at Glacier National Park in Montana
You"re maybe more likely to see a mountain goat in Montana"s Glacier National Park than anywhere else in the lower 48 states. And you may not just see the goats from afar—they are accustomed to humans and will saunter right up to visitors. You"re going to want to keep your distance, though: Mountain goats can deliver forceful headbutts.Desktop Version
Fat Bear Week
Fat Bear Week
Are you ready for winter? These brown bears of Katmai National Park sure are, and their efforts won"t go unrewarded. Each year, park rangers organize a bracketed tournament to crown one ravenous contender as the fattest bear. Webcams are set up so anyone can join the crowds watching these bears chow down on sockeye salmon, as the fish return to the park to spawn. Once you"ve witnessed the feast, you can vote for which bear you think should win the title. New generations will bring new competitors, but they have big paw prints to fill. Bears such as Beadnose and 747—each animal has an ID number and several have names—are repeat champions but fat bear Otis reigns supreme, with four titles to his name. This year"s Fat Bear Week finishes on Tuesday, October 10.Desktop Version
World Rivers Day
World Rivers Day
On World Rivers Day, we honor what may be thought of as the queen of them all—the Amazon, which flows more than 4,000 miles mostly through the South American countries of Peru and Brazil. The Amazon discharges a whopping 58 million gallons of fresh water into the ocean every second, enough to fill 83 Olympic-sized swimming pools, far more water than any other river in the world. It accounts for 20% of all fresh water that flows into the world"s seas and oceans. It"s also the vital heart of the largest and most diverse rainforest in the world. The Amazon rainforest is home to a third of the world"s animal species and its trees and plants pull billions of tons of heat-trapping carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year, making it one of the Earth"s best defenses against climate change.Desktop Version
Mid-Autumn Festival
Mid-Autumn Festival
As summer"s warmth gently yields to autumn"s cool embrace, the Mid-Autumn Festival lights up the Chinese city of Guiyang, celebrating the full moon and the autumn harvest. Also known as the Moon Festival, it takes place on the 15th day of the year"s eighth lunar month in the Chinese calendar.Desktop Version
Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg, Austria
Today, we"re in the Austrian city of Salzburg, a place that never goes out of style. The Advent season here creates a magical atmosphere, making it a truly unforgettable time to visit this city. Twinkling decorations bring the place to life, and the cozy scents of warm chestnuts, mulled wine, and freshly baked cookies mingle in the air. During this time, Salzburger Christkindlmarkt, a world-famous traditional Advent market, is hosted here. Seen on the hill in today"s image is the Hohensalzburg Fortress, home to the popular Fortress Advent market, brimming with holiday cheer.Desktop Version
Lavender field, Hertfordshire, England
Lavender field, Hertfordshire, England
This lavender landscape stretching over fields in the English county of Hertfordshire is the quintessential summer scene. A member of the mint family, lavender has been popular through various civilizations. It was used by the Egyptians for mummification; traces of lavender were discovered in the tomb of Tutankhamun. It was also treasured by the Romans for its healing and cleansing properties.Desktop Version
The city of Osaka at night, Japan
The city of Osaka at night, Japan
In the heart of Japan, where the past and future intertwine, lies a city pulsating with life and culture—Osaka. Traditionally an economic hub, Osaka has twice served briefly as the imperial capital, once in the 7th and once in the 8th century. It flourished culturally during the Edo period (1603–1867) and became a major industrial center after the Meiji Restoration in1868, which restored imperial rule to Japan.Desktop Version
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
These immensely photogenic and relatable trees, their shaggy, sinewy limbs thrust upward into the pale light of the desert sky, are the main reason people come here to California"s Joshua Tree National Park. Joshua Tree was declared a national monument on August 10, 1936, before being designated a national park in 1994. Perhaps no other national park is so completely defined by a single feature, be it a plant or wildlife or natural formation. While Joshua Tree National Park contains other wonders, this tree that looks drawn by Dr. Seuss is what visitors come to celebrate.Desktop Version
Floating market, Kaptai Lake, Bangladesh
Floating market, Kaptai Lake, Bangladesh
Every Saturday, the largest artificial lake in Bangladesh comes to life with colors and flavors. Kaptai Lake in Rangamati District is home to the floating market of seasonal fruit seen in today"s image. The lake was created in the early 1960s to generate hydropower, submerging not just land and the palace of the king of the Chakmas, Bangladesh"s largest ethnic minority group, but a way of life, displacing 100,000 people. Sixty years on and the landscape has changed. This buoyant bazaar has become a livelihood, as farmers navigate their wooden vessels along the bank to engage with eager buyers. You leave with a bag full of fresh fruit or just a bunch of unforgettable memories, whatever floats your boat.Desktop Version
Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia
Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia
Cemeteries are not usually tourist attractions but Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia, defies expectations. The city is often referred to as the most haunted in America, so devotees to all things spooky head here to test their nerves. A cemetery since 1846, the 160-acre site is perched on a bluff overlooking the Wilmington River. Its oak trees, dripping with Spanish moss, loom over walkways, monuments, and elaborate burial vaults. If it sounds like stepping into a southern Gothic novel, you"re on the right track: The cemetery featured in John Berendt"s 1994 bestseller "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." Among the famous figures resting here is poet Conrad Aiken, whose grave is mentioned in the novel. His tombstone is a bench, said to have been designed to allow poetry lovers somewhere to sit to enjoy a drink in these soul-stirring surroundings.Desktop Version
Kinder Scout, Peak District National Park, England
Kinder Scout, Peak District National Park, England
Within the vast expanse of England"s Peak District National Park lies Kinder Scout Nature Reserve, the site of an historic people"s protest. At around 2,087 feet, Kinder Scout is the park"s highest point and its rugged moorlands and windswept plateaus have drawn walkers and nature enthusiasts for generations. In 1932, it was the stage for a "mass trespass," in which hundreds of people on foot protested for public access to these lands. At the time, many areas of open countryside were closed to the British public. This act of civil disobedience prompted much public sympathy, which eventually led to the establishment of the UK"s first national parks. The Peak District National Park was the first, designated in April 1951, ensuring that these hills and valleys would be preserved for future generations to enjoy.Desktop Version
Go Fly a Kite Day
Go Fly a Kite Day
Is there a simpler joy than flying a kite on a windy day? The date of this magical invention is unknown, but the first written documentation of kite flying comes from China in 200 BCE. There they were initially used to measure distance, but over the years they have been tapped for fishing, sport, science, celebration, communication, and recreation. Kites can take many shapes and be made of various materials, but all of them have a wing surface, a tether, and a bridle that keeps the surface at an angle to the wind. In fact, you can easily make your own, and there"s no better time than today: Go Fly a Kite Day.Desktop Version
Salt ponds of Maras, Peru
Salt ponds of Maras, Peru
Peru"s spectacularly beautiful Cusco region has plenty of Incan wonders waiting to be rediscovered. Take, for example, these ancient salt ponds, stepping their way down the mountainside in Maras, nestled in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You"ll find more than 6,000 of the little salt pans near Maras, many of them owned and mined by local families.Desktop Version