Some plants simply sit quietly on windowsills. The poinsettia? It demands the spotlight — bright, bold and as red as Rudolph"s nose. Long before it became a popular Christmas decoration, it grew wild in Mexico, where the Aztecs used its leaves for dyes and its sap for traditional remedies. In the 19th century, it travelled across continents as people admired its vivid colour during colder months, eventually finding its place in winter celebrations around the world.
Poinsettia: A winter classic
Today in History
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Luna moth in New Braunfels, Texas, United States
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International Rock Day
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Salzburg, Austria
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Mangalore, Karnataka
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Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, England
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Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming, United States
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Gwalior Fort, Madhya Pradesh
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Happy winter solstice!
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Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Andalusia, Spain
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Asteroid Day
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The Great Blue Hole, Belize
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Devetashka Cave, Devetaki, Bulgaria
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103 years of Zion
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Autumn equinox
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Thomsons gazelles, Maasai Mara, Kenya
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Val Gardena, South Tyrol, Dolomites, Italy
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Marine Day, Japan
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World Space Week begins
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Polar bear cubs
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World Population Day
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Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy
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World Environment Day
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One rare streak
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‘Only one Earth’
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Man-made, meandering Lake Powell
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Vila Franca Islet, São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
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World Turtle Day
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Collared aracari
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

