Bing Images archive 2024/06

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  2024-06-01Pride Month

  June is Pride Month, commemorating the Stonewall uprising, a series of protests by the LGBTQIA+ community that took place on June 28, 1969, in response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village in New York City. Various events around the world are held in June to honor and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, their history, achievements, and ongoing pursuit for equality. This month, vibrant parades hit the streets, and buildings light up in the colors of the rainbow—a symbol of the LGBTQIA+ social movements—in numerous cities to praise freedom for all. Today"s homepage shows the skyline of San Francisco, home to one of the largest and oldest Pride parades, with City Hall lit up in rainbow lights.

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  2024-06-02National Gardening Week

  It"s time to grab a trowel, roll up your sleeves, and get planting: National Gardening Week is starting today! Taking place in the first full week of June, this event was created by the National Garden Clubs, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the joys of horticulture. First celebrated in 1987 this week is all about getting more people involved in gardening and spreading awareness of how important gardens are. Being home to a wide range of trees, flowers, shrubs, and grasses, gardens can help the environment by absorbing carbon dioxide, filtering water, and encouraging insect life. Gardening clubs across the country celebrate this week by organizing workshops, visiting public gardens, or placing plants at public facilities. They"re also great for people; tending to a garden is good exercise, and being outside in the sunshine is a great way to get more vitamin D. Gardening can even boost your mood, helping you to feel more relaxed and peaceful.

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  2024-06-03World Bicycle Day

  Bicycles are the best! An environmentally friendly form of transportation that is fun, good for your health, affordable, simple, and durable. Once you learn to ride, you"ll never forget how to wheel around. Thanks to Polish-American scientist Leszek Sibiliski"s initiative, the United Nations declared June 3 World Bicycle Day in 2018.

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  2024-06-04Chestnut-headed bee-eaters, Bardia National Park, Nepal

  It"s not just a name. Chestnut-headed bee-eaters spend their days swooping after stinging insects. As well as bees, they also feast on wasps, hornets, and other bugs. The birds in today"s image are in Bardia National Park in Nepal, but they"re found across many other South Asian countries, from India and Bangladesh to Sri Lanka and Thailand. They catch their prey in mid-flight, returning to a perch where they beat insects to stun them and remove the stinger, which makes them safe to eat. These birds are designed to hunt: Their dazzling green plumage helps camouflage them in dappled jungle light, their curved beak is perfect for picking off insects with precision, and their eyes can move individually, which makes them all the better for spotting bees.

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  2024-06-05World Environment Day

  Happy World Environment Day! First celebrated back in 1973, this UN event is now celebrated in more than 143 countries. This year"s theme focuses on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience.

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  2024-06-06The 80th anniversary of D-Day

  Eighty years ago, on the beaches of Normandy, northern France, an event unfolded that would alter the course of history. The day was June 6, 1944, a date forever etched in time as D-Day. It marked the launch of Operation Overlord, the ambitious Allied invasion that became a turning point in World War II. The audacious assault by sea, air, and land involved nearly 160,000 troops.

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  2024-06-07World Oceans Day

  Today, let"s embark on a watery adventure as we celebrate World Oceans Day. This day is about honoring and protecting the world"s oceans and serves as a reminder of the critical role oceans play in supporting life on Earth. These gargantuan water bodies, after all, teem with wonders, from the tiniest plankton to the grandest whales like the humpbacks we see here. The oceans also produce almost half of the oxygen on our planet thanks to the photosynthesis of plankton—tiny plants, algae, and bacteria. Moreover, they absorb a significant amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping mitigate the impacts of climate change caused by human activities.

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  2024-06-08National Rivers Month

  The lush greenery of June is here, and so is National Rivers Month, a 30-day tribute to the veins of our planet that was created by Canadian activist Mark Angelo. Just like the confluence featured here today, where Alaska"s Easter Creek and Killik River unite in a beautiful display, we too come together every year to help preserve the nation"s rivers. With increasing threats such as pollution, habitat destruction, and overuse, it"s more important than ever to advocate for the protection of our waterways. Whether you"re paddling down a gentle stream, casting a line for some fishing fun, or simply enjoying a leisurely stroll along the riverbank, there are countless ways to connect with these flowing wonders. The US alone boasts a vast network of over 250,000 rivers that stretches more than 3 million miles across diverse terrains. Which one are you heading to?

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  2024-06-09Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve and Natural Park, Spain

  Within the scenic landscape of Navarra, northern Spain, the Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve and Natural Park is like a surrealist painting come to life! This park is renowned for its desert-like landscapes sculpted by millennia of erosion. Featuring rocky plateaus, canyons, and whimsically shaped clay structures called cabezos, the park is a playground of geological wonders.

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  2024-06-10The 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.

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  2024-06-11Southern gemsbok in the savannah, Botswana

  Horns up, heads high! Featured here is a group of gemsboks, a large antelope, reigning over the sprawling savannas in southwestern Africa. Indigenous to the arid territories of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and parts of Zimbabwe, they thrive mainly within the Kalahari and Namib Deserts. They can survive in extremely dry conditions and can go without water for weeks, getting moisture from the food they eat. Moreover, gemsboks are adept runners, achieving speeds of up to 37 miles per hour. Their distinguishing trait is their notably elongated, straight horns. Although both genders possess these formidable defenses, the females" horns tend to be slightly longer and sleeker while the males" horns are thicker with broader bases. So, if you ever find yourself in the sandy plains of the Kalahari, keep an eye out for these desert gems.

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  2024-06-12Big Bend National Park anniversary

  Ready to channel your inner nature enthusiast? Let"s explore Big Bend National Park in West Texas, which is celebrating its 80th birthday today. This park is the largest protected area in the Chihuahuan Desert, covering over 1,250 square miles. The Big Bend State Park was established on June 12, 1944, when the state of Texas transferred this land to the federal government.

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  2024-06-13Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

  Gather "round, explorers, as we tiptoe into the Registan Square in the city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan! Meaning "sandy place" or "desert" in Persian, Registan was the center of activity during the Timurid Empire. The square embodied the essence of the Timurid Renaissance, a period of cultural and intellectual revival, which spread throughout the Muslim world between the 14th and early 16th centuries CE.

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  2024-06-14Flag Day

  Wave our national symbol today; it"s Flag Day! On June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress, the nation"s first official flag was approved. Throughout US history, the flag"s design has changed. In its current arrangement, the 13 stripes represent the original colonies, and the stars stand for the states. The flag was last modified in 1960 when Hawaii became a state, and the number of white stars on a blue background increased from 49 to 50.

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  2024-06-15International Surfing Day

  Today, everybody"s hitting the waves for International Surfing Day! This event is about celebrating surfing while also drawing attention to the importance of protecting ocean environments to keep their waters pristine for wildlife and surfers alike. Surfing has a long history; around 5,000 years ago in Peru, people used reed watercraft to surf the waves when they were out fishing. It was in pre-colonial Hawaii, however, that modern surfing was born. Here, people started to stand on their boards and to surf for fun. Historians believe that surfing made its way to the US in 1885, when three teenage Hawaiian princes surfed on redwood boards while on a break from boarding school in California.

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  2024-06-16Happy Fathers Day!

  Today"s all about the dads. Father"s Day is the perfect time to celebrate everything they do for us, how they look after us, help us grow up, and tell the best dad jokes. There are also great dads in the animal kingdom, like the foxy father seen in today"s image. Female red foxes need to stay in their dens with their young after giving birth, so males spend their time going out to bring her food. When the pups are a little older, their father takes time to play with them, teaching them survival skills they"ll need in later life, like hunting and scavenging. The foxes seen here are melanistic, a condition in animals that results in darker coloring.

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  2024-06-17Pollinator Week

  Let"s celebrate the small heroes who help plants flourish! It"s Pollinator Week, celebrating the creatures which transport pollen to help plants reproduce. While some plants are self-pollinating, or pollinated by wind or water, the majority of them are fertilized with the help of bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, birds—like the green-crowned brilliant hummingbird in today"s image—and even bats. The non-profit organization Pollinator Partnership initiated Pollinator Week to raise awareness about the protection of these creatures. This celebration is now being joined by other programs and educational events around the country. Should we care? Absolutely! From fruits and veggies to nuts, chocolate, or sugarcane, there are plenty of ingredients in our diet that are brought to us by pollinators.

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  2024-06-18Lupine fields, Snæfellsnes, Iceland

  As spring gives way to summer in Iceland, the rugged landscape bursts into color. Lupines were introduced here in the 1940s for their soil-binding properties, to reduce erosion. The plant flourishes in sandy and salty soils and spreads rapidly, bringing hues of purple, pink, and blue. Although some consider lupine to be a threat to native plants, it is welcomed by many as a cherished part of the summer landscape. You can find lupine fields in Reykjavík, near the Skógafoss waterfall, and lining the road to the Hellissandur Church in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, as seen in today"s image.

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  2024-06-19Juneteenth

  Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the US. On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation issued by Abraham Lincoln. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, an acknowledgment of its indelible imprint on the country.

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  2024-06-20Summer solstice

  It"s that time of year again when the daylight stretches long into the evening hours. Today is the longest day of the year, known as the summer solstice, which happens when one of the Earth"s poles is most inclined toward the sun. Today"s image features the Kokino megalithic observatory, part of a wider archaeological site in North Macedonia. It is believed that it marked the position of the sun during summer and winter solstices, as well as the equinox, and consists of two platforms. A stone block on the upper platform of the observatory indicates the summer solstice sunrise direction when seen from a seat on the lower platform. This Bronze Age astronomical wonder sits more than 3,300 feet above sea level, on a hill overlooking the hamlet of Kokino.

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  2024-06-21World Giraffe Day

  Today is about honoring the tallest creatures on Earth and highlighting the importance of conservation efforts. Giraffes have fascinated travelers from around the world for a long time. These animals were once viewed as status symbols and were treasured as pets among royalty.

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  2024-06-22World Rainforest Day

  Fresh air, rustling leaves, and thousands of wildlife species—welcome to the Amazon rainforest. Covering more than 2,100,000 square miles, this South America treasure extends its branches across nine nations—Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. Today, the Amazon is home to more than 30 million people, but it also carries secrets of lost civilizations. Archaeologists recently discovered a network of cities here dating back 2,500 years.

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  2024-06-23Dhaka, Bangladesh

  Welcome to Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh. This South Asian megacity on the Ganges Delta, home to over 10.2 million people, is one of the world"s most densely populated cities. Dhaka has been nicknamed "City of Mosques" because of the hundreds of elegant minarets that dot the city. Here, the cheers from football and cricket stadiums fill the air, and colorfully decorated rickshaws, recognized by UNESCO as an important example of cultural heritage, meander through the streets. Even by rickshaw, it might take you a while to reach your destination: Dhaka has been recognized as the world"s slowest city. So, whether you"re weaving through its alleys or sampling its spicy street foods, take the time to savor everything Dhaka has to offer.

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  2024-06-24Kelimutu, Flores, Indonesia

  Atop Kelimutu, a volcano on the Indonesian island of Flores, sit three lakes, each with its own hue and folklore. Volcanic vents deep within the Earth release steam and gas that alter the lakes" mineral compositions, creating different colors, which can change independently. The westernmost lake, Tiwu Ata Bupu (Lake of Old People), not pictured, normally has a dark blue hue. Meanwhile, Tiwu Ko"o Fai Nuwa Muri (Lake of Young Men and Maidens), tends to be light green or light blue and Tiwu Ata Polo (Bewitched or Enchanted Lake) can be red, dark green, blue or brown. The local Lio people revere these lakes, believing them to be the resting place of souls.

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  2024-06-25Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

  Amid the arid expanse of the Mojave Desert in Nevada lies Valley of Fire State Park. Named after its red Aztec Sandstone, an Early Jurassic formation made from ancient sand dunes, the park stretches across 46,000 acres. Featured on our homepage is one of its highlights, Fire Wave, a geological marvel that appears like a frozen wave with its red, pink, and white stripes.

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  2024-06-26Banggai cardinalfish with sea anemone

  Dive deep beneath the waves surrounding the Banggai Islands in Indonesia and meet the Banggai cardinalfish. Cardinalfish have tiny, shimmery bodies with black vertical stripes and white-edged fins, which help to disguise them. Unlike some finned creatures that migrate long distances, these pint-sized fish inhabit a small world, rarely straying far from their local reefs.

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  2024-06-27Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence

  Welcome to Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. Let the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore transport you through time. More than just a church, this Gothic structure, with its red-tiled dome, is steeped in centuries of history. Built over an older cathedral, construction began in 1296 under the supervision of architect Arnolfo di Cambio. Italian architect Filippo Brunelleschi engineered its dome, the largest brick dome ever constructed. Its completion in 1436 was the final stage of the cathedral"s construction. It"s not just the outside that dazzles; inside there are artistic treasures to discover, from Giorgio Vasari"s fresco "The Last Judgment" to Paolo Uccello"s intricate clock face. The cathedral complex is also home to the Baptistery, a small basilica, and Giotto"s Campanile, a free-standing bell tower.

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  2024-06-28Pride 2024

  Fifty-five years ago today, an act of resistance marked a turning point in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. In the early hours of June 28, 1969, New York City Police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village. At the time, homosexuality was illegal, and such raids were common. However, that night, the patrons of the Stonewall Inn, fed up with the continued harassment, stood their ground. Violence escalated, leading to clashes between protesters and police. In the following days, there was more rioting as people gathered to protest the raids.