Today"s image features one of the simplest yet most essential inventions in human history: the umbrella, or parasol. Over 4,000 years ago, in ancient Egypt, Assyria and China, these foldable canopies were first used to shield people from the sun. It wasn"t until the 17th century that the umbrella, as we know it today, gained popularity in Europe, initially as a luxury item primarily for women. Fast-forward a few centuries and these weather shields have become a staple in pop culture, too. Remember Mary Poppins with her iconic umbrella that helped her fly, or Rihanna"s hit song "Umbrella"?
Art Installation of umbrellas, London, England
Today in History
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Jackson Square, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
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The Matterhorn reflected in Lake Stellisee at sunrise, Zermatt, Switzerland
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Hemakuta Hill, Hampi, India
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Zahara de la Sierra, Andalusia, Spain
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Harbour and longtail boats at Ko Samui, Thailand
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Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho, USA
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Giant anteater
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Lava flows spill into the ocean on Big Island, Hawaii
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Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Spain
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Boneyard Beach, Hunting Island, South Carolina, United States
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Sunflowers
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Coastal redwoods in Redwood National and State Parks, California, United States
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Lion, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
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Fireworks over Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Canada
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Large anvil clouds, Amazon, Brazil
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Baia del Silenzio in Sestri Levante, Italy
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Sahara, Algeria
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Glenariff Forest Park, Northern Ireland, UK
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Dolphin pod near Réunion island
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International Space Station
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Château de Sully-sur-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, France
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Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park, Germany
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Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park, Sweden
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Chinstrap penguins
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An iris garden in Tokyo, Japan
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Winding road of Julier Pass, Switzerland
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Jaswant Thada and Mehrangarh Fort, India
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Asian swallowtail butterfly
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Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA
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