If your first scheduled activity of the day has ever involved intentionally jumping into an icy lake or a frigid bay, then you understand the relevance of today"s image from the Svalbard Islands of Norway. Polar bear plunges, as these swims have come to be known, take place all over the world, often on New Year"s Day. Whether people take the plunge for charity, penance, or shock value, there"s no better way to put an exclamation point on the first day of the year. Of course, for actual polar bears, ice cold plunges are an everyday occurrence and won"t elicit much more than a yawn.
New Year s Day
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Giving Tuesday
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A view from the top
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Iceland awaits the Yule Lads
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Autumn in Piedmont
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National Museum of African American History and Culture
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A circular celebration
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World Art Day
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Light show at the skatepark
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Christmas comes to New York City
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Walk the line
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Spring blooms in the Netherlands
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Floating temples in the Land of Smiles
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Skógafoss waterfall, Iceland
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Maloja, Switzerland
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El Valle de la Luna, Chile
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The globe skimmers return
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Cheetah mother and cub
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International Womens Day
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World Whale Day
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Corfe gets creepy
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Squirrel Appreciation Day
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Casting a vote for women s history
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Up, up, and away for Hot Air Balloon Day
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Chestnut-eared aracari in the Pantanal, Brazil
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A bison preserve
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Here there be dragons
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Whooper swans in Lake Kussharo, Japan
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Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
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International Museum Day
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The power of the forest