In the heart of Paris stands one of the city"s most enduring icons: Notre-Dame Cathedral. Built between the 12th and 13th centuries on the Île de la Cité—an island in the Seine—Notre-Dame has witnessed centuries of French history, from the Hundred Years" War to the French Revolution, and beyond. Although it was chosen by Napoleon as the site of his coronation as emperor in 1804, by the early 19th century, the cathedral was in a state of disrepair. However, one novel changed its fortunes: "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" by Victor Hugo, published in 1831. The popularity of this book helped encourage a restoration project that renewed the cathedral"s former beauty.
Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens
Today in History
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Celebrating the first day of spring
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Monarch butterflies, Pismo Beach, California
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A ‘Superior’ paddle
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Maybe we should be looking up
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Anniversary of Bryce Canyon National Park
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Birthplace of Roman emperors
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A ‘circus of chaos’ for Stravinsky
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A grotesque scene
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An island for the birds
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National Trails Day
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A day for the oceans
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Giant kelp in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
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First day of National Park Week
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Ravens
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Roques de Benet, Els Ports Natural Park, Catalonia, Spain
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The most Instagrammable bird?
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Nothing plain about it
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A national icon
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Nursing the world to health
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Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park, Australia
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National Library Week
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Unbearable cuteness
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It s time for spring
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Endangered Species Day
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Star Wars Day
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Thomas Edison s bright idea
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In the Himalayas for International Mountain Day
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Heavens Gate Cave, Tianmen Mountain National Park, China
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Penguins can t fly!
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

