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Dec 31, 2024New Years Eve in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

New Year"s Eve, also known as Old Year"s Day, is celebrated around the world with revelry, fireworks, and for some, religious and cultural observances. Many countries celebrate with foods symbolic of prosperity, long life, and good fortune for the coming year, and many people sing the Scottish folk song "Auld Lang Syne" at the stroke of midnight in remembrance of old friends and past experiences. The new year is often personified as a baby in a tradition that dates back to ancient Greeks, and paired with an old man who represents the year that is ending.Desktop Version

Feb 18, 2024World Whale Day

Ahoy there, giants of the sea! World Whale Day is surfacing, along with these sperm whales off the coast of the Caribbean island of Dominica. Established in 1980 in Maui, the day originally aimed to celebrate the humpback whales in Hawaiian waters but has evolved into a global event for all 92 whale species.Desktop Version

Apr 16, 2024Union Square, Manhattan

"These streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you." Alicia Keys sure knows how to serenade the vibrant, bustling life of the Big Apple. Today"s homepage image takes us to Union Square in lower Manhattan. At this historic intersection, you can find statues of George Washington—the oldest statue in any park in NYC—and Abraham Lincoln, crafted by the sculptor Henry Kirke Brown. In 1882, workers exercised their rights to free speech and assembly, organizing the first Labor Day parade here. In 1997, Union Square was recognized as a National Historic Landmark due to its importance in US labor history. These days, you"re more likely to see street chess players, musicians, skateboarders, dance crews, and vendors of all types in the square.Desktop Version

Oct 21, 2023International Archaeology Day

It"s International Archaeology Day, an opportunity to discover more about our past and different societies through ancient sites and artifacts. Across the world, events such as scavenger hunts, lectures, and interactive workshops will be held to mark the day and awaken your inner Indiana Jones.Desktop Version

Feb 2, 2024Groundhog Day

How long will winter last? Much depends on whether a certain groundhog sees his shadow today in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. On February 2, Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his tree stump, helped by members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club"s "inner circle." According to local legend, the same stocky groundhog has been predicting the weather since at least 1886 and if he sees his shadow, we can expect six more weeks of winter. If he does not, an early spring awaits.Desktop Version

Feb 20, 2025Ansel Adams birthday

Born on this day in 1902, Ansel Adams remains one of the most celebrated photographers in history, renowned for his striking black-and-white images of the American wilderness. His work immortalized the grandeur of national parks like California"s Yosemite, pictured here, showcasing the raw beauty of nature with depth and clarity. A pioneer of "pure photography," Adams believed in capturing a scene"s natural essence without manipulation, a principle he championed through his development of the Zone System—a technique to control exposure and contrast.Desktop Version

Jan 7, 2024Old Rock Day

These aren"t your ordinary rocks! One of the oldest-known religious locations, the Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve is a sacred site to Aboriginal Australians. The site, also called Karlu Karlu, in Australia’s Northern Territory, is home to a collection of giant, gravity-defying boulders. These rocks are composed of granite, and their peculiar shape is the result of millions of years of weathering and erosion.Desktop Version

Aug 11, 2023Edinburgh Art Festival

It might look futuristic, but this stunning pool was created a few years ago at the Jupiter Artland sculpture garden near Edinburgh, for the Scottish city"s annual art festival. Nearly 30 feet wide, "Gateway" is both a landscape sculpture and a functioning swimming pool. It was made by the artist Joana Vasconcelos from over 11,000 hand-painted tiles, produced in a traditional ceramic workshop in Portugal.Desktop Version

Jun 19, 2022Father s Day

Happy Father"s Day! To celebrate, we"re venturing into a tropical forest in Queensland, Australia, to visit one of nature"s most protective fathers, the southern cassowary, the largest of three species of this flightless bird. The cassowary has earned the title of the "world"s most dangerous bird" because of its sharp, dagger-like claws and aggressive behavior. Cassowaries, like this doting father and his chicks, are notorious for attacking and sometimes killing domestic animals and even humans. In the wild, adult birds are so belligerent that they have no natural predators. Their young, however, need some protection. That"s when dad steps in.Desktop Version

Mar 15, 2024Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California

The first day of spring may be just days away, but the season"s wildflowers at California"s largest state park—Anza-Borrego Desert State Park—are already here to say hello! Every spring, this barren desert floor undergoes a dramatic makeover. Flowers like heliotrope, brittlebush, and desert dandelion burst into a riot of bloom, creating a spectacle of color. For those seeking a more adventurous experience, this park has a lot to offer—from the mountains of the Peninsular Ranges and cactus-studded hills to slot canyons, badlands, and natural palm oases. In addition, as a designated International Dark Sky Park, it is an exceptional spot for stargazing. Beyond its natural wonders, the park, spanning over 600,000 acres, is also home to a rich cultural and historical legacy, including ancient pictographs, or rock paintings, from the Native American tribes that once lived here.Desktop Version

Sep 19, 2022State funeral of Queen Elizabeth II

Britain bids farewell to Queen Elizabeth II today, as her state funeral takes place in London"s historic Westminster Abbey. Crowds are lining the streets to pay their final respects to the queen, who died peacefully at her Scottish residence, Balmoral, at age 96 on September 8, after more than 70 years on the throne. The royal family, world leaders, and senior UK politicians are attending the funeral, which is being broadcast across the world. After the service, the queen will be laid to rest in St. George"s Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle, alongside Prince Philip, her beloved husband of 73 years, whom she described as her "strength and stay."Desktop Version

Jan 5, 2024International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, Harbin, China

Sculptors from around the world head to the Chinese city of Harbin at this time of year for the world"s largest ice and snow festival. From the frozen waters of the Songhua River, they carve more than 2,000 towering ice sculptures including castles, temples, animals, mythical figures, and massive ice slides. The stunning ice creations are illuminated at night in many colors, adding a new dimension to the spectacle.Desktop Version

Jan 13, 2025Happy Welsh New Year!

Who says New Year"s Day has to be on January 1? In Wales, the clocks turn back—figuratively—to celebrate Hen Galan, or the "Old New Year," on January 13. As part of this tradition, Calennig, meaning "New Year"s gift" in Welsh, plays a central role, linking the celebration to customs from the Julian calendar era. Even after most of the world switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1582, some Welsh communities clung to their old ways. Traditionally, the day involves children going door-to-door, singing songs, and offering good wishes in exchange for gifts like coins, food, or sweets. A unique feature is its clove-decorated apples. These aren"t for snacking, though; they"re miniature symbols of luck and prosperity.Desktop Version

Dec 22, 2023Ljubljana, Slovenia

What a lovely city! The Slavic word "ljub" means "to love," and it"s right there in the name of Slovenia"s capital city, Ljubljana, and the Ljubljanica River that runs through it. This relatively small capital, with a population of just under 300,000, grew up on a trade route connecting the northern Adriatic Sea and the Danube region. While modern buildings skirt the city"s periphery, its core preserves historic structures, some of which date back to ancient Rome. The Ljubljana Castle, pictured in the center of today"s homepage image, has towered over the city for 900 years. Other sights include the Triple Bridge, the Dragon Bridge, and the historic Old Town. Keep an eye out while you stroll around; you might encounter the city"s symbol, the Ljubljana Dragon.Desktop Version

May 20, 2023World Bee Day

As flowers start to bloom, you"ll hear the soft hum of bees buzzing between them, drinking nectar, and gathering pollen to take back to their hives. Some pollen grains on their bodies get carried between flowering plants, helping them to reproduce, yield better crops, and support other species. The UN proclaimed May 20 as World Bee Day to highlight the importance of these pollinators and the threats they face, including habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide use. Busy bees attend to over 90% of the world’s top 107 crops and are vital to our food supply, but populations worldwide have declined. So today, let"s support our industrious friends to help them go about their important work in peace.Desktop Version

Jul 21, 2024Kendwa village, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Off the coast of East Africa in the archipelago of Zanzibar is the village of Kendwa. This serene village plays a modest role in the islands" fishing industry, with traditional wooden boats, known as dhows, etching patterns across the waters. The local dhow builders offer a glimpse into an artisanal craft that has sailed through generations. Venture deeper and you"ll find lush spice farms where the air tingles with the scent of nutmeg and black pepper. Here, traditional Swahili dishes, including nyama choma, a roasted meat dish, and samaki wa kaupaka, fish with coconut sauce, blend spices with the bounty of the sea and land. As the sun sets, bonfires flicker into life and the island pulses with Taarab, a fusion of African, Arabic, and Indian music. With so much to see, Zanzibar proves that variety really is the spice of life.Desktop Version

Dec 16, 2022Atlanta Botanical Garden

Winter comes alive at the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Georgia for two months every year with a dazzling holiday light display, "Garden Lights, Holiday Nights," which began in 2011 and has become a tradition for local families and many tourists. Behind the shimmering lights, the garden staff has decades of experience in plant conservation and species recovery through the Southeastern Center for Conservation. The center works locally and globally to help efforts to preserve and proliferate a variety of plant species.Desktop Version

Oct 27, 2024Polar Bear Week

Polar Bear Week champions the Arctic"s majestic predator, one of nature"s greatest hunters. Established by Polar Bears International, it highlights the challenges they face due to climate change, particularly the rapid loss of Arctic Sea ice. At this time of year, polar bears gather in Churchill, Canada—known as the "polar bear capital of the world." Here, bears wait for Hudson Bay to freeze so they can start hunting for seals, their primary food source.Desktop Version

Dec 16, 2023Guild houses of Grand-Place, Brussels, Belgium

Located in the heart of Belgium, Brussels is a vibrant capital city that combines rich history with a modern, cosmopolitan feel. Famous for its architecture and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grand-Place of Brussels exudes an air of grandeur with its ornate guildhalls and centuries-old buildings.Desktop Version

Apr 15, 2023World Art Day

"Life imitates art far more than art imitates life." There is perhaps no better day to ponder these iconic words by Oscar Wilde than World Art Day. Celebrated each April 15, it marks the birthday of Renaissance luminary Leonardo da Vinci. The celebration, which started in 2012, continues to be a beautiful reminder of the power of art and its ability to heal, strengthen, and inspire society. The sculpture in today"s image, Italian artist Lorenzo Quinn"s "Together," displayed near the Great Pyramids of Giza, serves as a fitting commentary on this inimitable power of art and also a symbol of the unbreakable human connection.Desktop Version

Mar 12, 2025Château de Sully-sur-Loire, Center-Val de Loire, France

If you"re a lover of history with a dash of drama, the Château de Sully-sur-Loire, in the center of northern France, has you covered. This fortress has seen it all—battles, power shifts, and royal connections. Originally built in the 14th century, the medieval castle was designed to guard the Loire River and control access to the region. Over time, it evolved into a residence for nobility, most notably serving as the home of Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully, who was a trusted minister of King Henry IV. The castle played a significant role during the French Wars of Religion from 1562 to 1598 and has witnessed countless moments of intrigue and diplomacy. In 1940, during World War II, the castle wall was hit by shells, creating massive holes, but the framework remained intact.Desktop Version

Aug 20, 2022World Honey Bee Day

Today we"re celebrating World Honey Bee Day, honoring the humble bee"s role in pollinating our crops and sharing honey goodness with us. It"s remarkable to consider that there are around 20,000 different species of bees in the world, but just eight species of honey bees. And it"s sobering to realize how fragile their existence is. Billions of honey bees have disappeared over the last 15 years in what"s known as colony collapse disorder. There"s no definitive explanation for the die-off, though scientists believe pesticides, loss of habitat, climate change, mite infestation, and disease are contributing factors. Now we need to reintroduce bees and other pollinators to safeguard our food system.Desktop Version

Jul 6, 2023International Kissing Day

This photograph captures a heartwarming moment between two southern rockhopper penguins, the perfect image for International Kissing Day. Why do we kiss? Well, dozens of cultures don"t kiss on the lips at all. For those that do, theories range widely, from the chemical reactions in the brain, to ancient ancestral parents chewing food for their children, to simply smelling each other. Of course, no scientific explanation can capture the magic of a shared kiss. Perhaps that"s why artists including Prince, Faith Hill, and Hall & Oates have all had chart-toppers about lip-locking; they have found a way to put an indescribable feeling into words.Desktop Version

Jul 1, 2022Tour de France

Presiding over City Hall Square on the Richshuset building in Copenhagen, "The Weather Girls" sculpture will help launch this year"s Tour de France. The race will see riders in Stage 1 today cycling past iconic landmarks of the Danish capital like Tivoli Gardens and the Little Mermaid statue. From here, the racers will ride through other parts of Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, and of course France before ending with the final stage on the Champs-Élysées in Paris on July 24.Desktop Version

Aug 8, 2022Pantaleu

There isn"t much to the tiny island of El Pantaleu (or Es Pantaleu in Catalan), cast off the westernmost shore of Mallorca, itself an island only about 60 miles across. Pantaleu and Mallorca are part of the archipelago of Balearic Islands in the Balearic Sea, off the east coast of Spain. Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, and Formentera are the chain"s four major islands, famous as destinations for tourists seeking the warm Mediterranean climate and inviting shoreline.Desktop Version

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