J.R.R. Tolkien Day Jan 3, 2026

J.R.R. Tolkien Day

Our picture of the day takes us to the Swiss village of Lauterbrunnen, where the Staubbach Falls shimmers in the distance beyond a quiet alpine valley. This is the landscape a young traveler, J.R.R. Tolkien, crossed during a hiking trip in 1911, long before he became the storyteller behind "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit." Its soaring cliffs, silver waterfalls, and crisp mountain air left a lasting impression and are believed to have inspired his vision of Rivendell, the elven refuge hidden deep in Middle-earth.

© pongnathee kluaythong/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Jan 3, 2019How do ladybugs winter?
Jan 3, 2020 Field of Light at Sensorio by Bruce Munro
Jan 3, 2021An Alpine fairy-tale castle
Jan 3, 2022Lick Observatory
Jan 3, 2023Sandhill cranes, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
Jan 3, 2024J.R.R. Tolkien Day
Jan 3, 2025Happy Birthday, J.R.R. Tolkien!

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jul 30, 2020International Day of Friendship
Mar 4, 2026Purple crocus flowers, Seven Rila Lakes, Bulgaria
Oct 17, 2021A walk among the giants
Apr 24, 2018National Park Week: Everglades National Park
Jan 6, 2022Kochelsee in Bavaria
Dec 12, 2025National Poinsettia Day
Jul 15, 2021A river runs through rice fields
Jan 4, 2021Sparkling ice diamonds on a black sandy beach
May 22, 2021Blue paradise on the Costa Brava
Nov 3, 2019It s time to fall back
Mar 23, 2020A peak in the clouds
May 21, 2023Pont dArcole over the Seine river, Paris, France
Apr 4, 2021A yearly sign that spring has sprung
Dec 11, 2018‘The mountains are calling’
Nov 19, 2023Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve, Estonia
Nov 10, 2024Caribbean flamingos, Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
Aug 16, 2026Ross Errilly Friary, County Galway, Ireland
Jan 14, 2023Feast of the Donkey
Dec 23, 2024Celebrating Festivus
May 31, 2022World Parrot Day
Sep 1, 2023National Mushroom Month
Jul 30, 2025International Day of Friendship
Mar 13, 2025Happy Holi!
Aug 10, 2023World Lion Day
Sep 26, 2018Art in the chapel
Aug 6, 2019Storks ready for takeoff
Jul 27, 2019Longer days mean warmer sand
May 13, 2025Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile
Oct 28, 2020A grotesque scene
Nov 10, 2023Badlands National Parks 45th anniversary