Belgium celebrates its independence Jul 21, 2020

Belgium celebrates its independence

On July 21, Belgium celebrates its independence from the Netherlands and the anniversary of the establishment of the Kingdom of Belgium in 1831. The holiday brings us to the bank of the River Meuse across from the Collegiate Church of Notre Dame de Dinant, the best-known landmark in the Belgian town of Dinant in Namur province. For such a small city (population about 14,000), Dinant has a rich history. It"s the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone, and has a museum dedicated to his life and instruments. The Charles de Gaulle Bridge, which crosses the Meuse, is lined with 28 saxophone sculptures, each one representing a different country in the European Union. Namur province is also the birthplace of Leffe beer, which was brewed by monks in the abbey of Leffe starting in 1240.

© Kadagan/Shutterstock

palette

Today in History

Jul 21, 2018And you thought moths were boring
Jul 21, 2019A peek behind the royal curtain
Jul 21, 2021An octagonal architectural treasure
Jul 21, 2022Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds, England
Jul 21, 2023Storseisundet Bridge, Norway
Jul 21, 2024Kendwa village, Zanzibar, Tanzania

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jul 22, 2023National Hammock Day
Sep 3, 2024Wilderness Act anniversary
Aug 31, 2021Bridge over the River Tara
Feb 5, 2021A sea of swirling stone
Dec 22, 2021Illuminating Annecy
Mar 17, 2019St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland
Oct 4, 2023World Space Week
Sep 11, 2024Patriot Day
Oct 7, 2024Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg, Germany
Jun 6, 2024The 80th anniversary of D-Day
Jun 3, 2018Travel Sunday: Liverpool
Nov 23, 2020Autumn comes to Old Town
Jul 31, 2018Honoring the rangers on World Ranger Day
Oct 23, 2021Eurasian scops owl
Feb 10, 2021A throng of ice and spires
Mar 7, 2019March of the flowers
Sep 17, 2023Cuban tody, Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, Cuba
Nov 15, 2023Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park, Sweden
Mar 27, 2023New York City skyline
Mar 3, 2020All eyes on sustainability
Jun 22, 2020Pollinators: not to be sneezed at
Jul 23, 2021Let the games (finally) begin!
Oct 24, 2024Bodie State Historic Park, California
Jan 31, 2021A glittering diamond in the rough
Jul 13, 2023International Rock Day
Feb 11, 2020Celebrating women in science
Apr 19, 2024Ring of Brodgar, Orkney, Scotland
Nov 3, 2024International Day for Biosphere Reserves
Dec 21, 2018Paper lanterns on the longest night
Aug 2, 2020Bellissima!