National Lighthouse Day Aug 7, 2023

National Lighthouse Day

Happy National Lighthouse Day! A beacon, a warning, and a symbol of hope and home, lighthouses have existed for thousands of years. The earliest known was the Pharos of Alexandria, which stood an estimated 330 feet tall. Built by the ancient Egyptians in the 3rd century BCE, an open fire was lit at its highest part to guide ships into port. Illumination technology advanced over the centuries, culminating in today"s electric versions beaming light that can be seen from over 20 miles away. North Carolina"s Bodie Island Lighthouse, pictured here, was built in 1872 and overlooks a section of ocean once known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Since then, it"s been doing its best to outshine the stars above, as it guides sailors home to safe harbor.

© Michael Ver Sprill/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Aug 7, 2018Guiding ships to safety
Aug 7, 2019Nubble Island’s only industry
Aug 7, 2020A whale of a hug
Aug 7, 2021Salt of the earth
Aug 7, 2022National Lighthouse Day
Aug 7, 2024St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights, Michigan
Aug 7, 2025National Lighthouse Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Nov 22, 2025Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan, China
Jan 17, 2024Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany
Jul 3, 2020Dog days of summer
Jan 11, 2025Heri es-Swani in Meknes, Morocco
Dec 6, 2019 America s Playground by Derrick Adams
Dec 27, 2024Lake Bled, Slovenia
Mar 13, 2019A look at Uranus, seventh planet from the sun
May 9, 2024Tulips at Emirgan Park in Istanbul, Türkiye
Dec 31, 2023Happy New Years Eve!
Oct 5, 2020Hey, you two in the front!
Feb 18, 2024World Whale Day
Jun 29, 2021An island hopper s paradise
Mar 7, 2024Roques de Benet, Els Ports Natural Park, Catalonia, Spain
Jan 9, 2021The stylish Spanish shawl
Feb 5, 2019Welcome to the Year of the Pig
Dec 30, 2020Winter in the Wild West
May 5, 2019Celebrating Mexico in a Cultural Capital
Oct 1, 2025Clark Range, Yosemite National Park, California
Oct 7, 2023Fat Bear Week
Jul 19, 2018Cosplay strongly encouraged
Jan 30, 2021Even nature needs a backup plan…
Feb 17, 2024Black History Month
May 25, 2018Cheers! It’s National Wine Day
Oct 15, 2024Great wildebeest migration at Mara River, Kenya
Dec 21, 2023Winter solstice
Nov 12, 2021Beavers Bend
Apr 29, 2025Formal garden at Château de Villandry, Loire Valley, France
Feb 3, 2021The mountaintop of toppled gods
Nov 23, 20191, 1, 2, 3: It s Fibonacci Day!
Jan 4, 2020Celebrating whales—and a whale of a tale