International Day of Light May 16, 2024

Today is the International Day of Light! Held on May 16, the day marks the anniversary of invention of the laser by the American physicist and engineer Theodore Maiman in 1960. This pioneering creation epitomises how innovation can revolutionise society, impacting fields from communications to healthcare. The scope of the celebration extends beyond lasers, embracing light"s presence in every aspect of human existence, from art and culture to science and technology.

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Today in History

Serene waters on a trembling earth
Owl be seeing you ... somewhere!
May 16, 2025Endangered Species Day

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Feb. 26, 2024Grand Canyon National Park, USA
On the open ocean road
Tomb of the Golden Pharaoh
Jan. 5, 2026A herd of impalas, Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa
Dec. 1, 2023Lake Minnewanka, Alberta
Jul. 17, 2024Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria, Germany
9,000-year-old handprints
Jun. 10, 2024The city of Osaka at night, Japan
Feb. 17, 2024Sassnitz lighthouse, Rügen, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Mar. 15, 2025Pacific Rim Whale Festival
History awaits atop the hill
The rivers run through us
Who uses this grassy bridge?
Immersing in nature
Remembering D-Day
Nov. 22, 2023Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
A future built on the past
Sep. 11, 2024Red fox mother kissing her baby
Nov. 11, 2024Banff National Park, Alberta
Jun. 14, 2025Cinque Torri, Dolomites, Italy
Apr. 2, 2024Beech trees and anemone wildflowers, Jutland, Denmark
Jan. 9, 2025Sossusvlei sand dunes, Namib desert, Namibia
Jul. 16, 2025Temple of Philae, Aswan, Egypt
Mar. 3, 2025World Wildlife Day
Nov. 26, 2025World Olive Tree Day
Aug. 30, 2025International Whale Shark Day
Aug. 2, 2025Petroglyphs near Fruita in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, United States
Aug. 21, 2024Nazca boobies, Wolf Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Out of this world
The Big Apple with a foggy topping