Every year, for four days in September, locals and tourists flock to one of Barcelona’s biggest events, La Mercè Festival. It got its beginnings in 1687 when Barcelona was suffering from a plague of locusts. In desperation, city officials voted to ask for the assistance of La Mare de Déu de la Mercè (the Virgin of Mercy). Eventually, having been delivered from the pestilence, the officials named the Virgin of Mercy the patroness of Barcelona, and an annual festival has been celebrated in her honor in the city ever since.
Barcelona bids farewell to summer
Today in History
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The confluence of the Arve and Rhône Rivers
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World Bicycle Day
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The Grand Départ: Tour de France begins
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The call of the wild in Alaska
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Independence Day
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National Fossil Day
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International Tiger Day
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Seville, Spain
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The moai you know
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World Rainforest Day
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A night of art and culture
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A winter wonderland in Northeast China
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Menton, France
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International Day of the Tropics
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Least chipmunk, Kootenai National Forest, Montana
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Happy trails for the 21st century
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Deep in the North Woods wetlands
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Great Backyard Bird Count
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International Jazz Day
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Father s Day
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Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
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Carnival comes to Olinda
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Presidents Day
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Hello, harbinger of spring
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Here’s why landmarks are going dark
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Gem State views
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

