Spiegelgracht canal in Amsterdam, Netherlands Dec 15, 2025

Have you ever wondered how canals changed the way cities developed? For thousands of years, people have built canals to transport goods, control water flow and connect places. From ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt to medieval Europe, they transformed cities like Venice and Bruges into trade hubs. The Netherlands took this even further—by the 17th century, they were designing waterways that shaped cities such as Amsterdam.

© Amith Nag Photography/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Winter wonderland for your wallet
Dec 15, 2023SantaPark, Lapland, Finland
Dec 15, 2024Lake Misurina, Dolomites, Italy

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Babbling on and on
76 glorious years of independence
Jul 24, 2025Adalaj Stepwell, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Sep 3, 2025Trullo buildings in Alberobello, Apulia, Italy
Feb 17, 2025Fatehpur Sikri, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Mar 15, 2026Pacific Rim Whale Festival
Jun 7, 2025Gadisar Lake, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Apr 27, 2025Coastal redwoods in Redwood National and State Parks, California, United States
Sep 7, 2025Gdańsk on the banks of the Motława river, Poland
Aug 23, 2023Cenotaphs, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
When only a hug will do
Feb 12, 2025Ashoka pillar, Kutagarasala Vihara, Vaishali, Bihar
A remote oasis in the Chihuahuan Desert
A ghost on the mountain
Oct 4, 2024World Space Week begins
A cuddling pair of Taiwan yuhina
Mar 21, 2024International Day of Forests
Sep 22, 2023World Rhinoceros Day
A one-of-a-kind splash
Aug 7, 2024St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights, Michigan, USA
Warm light through an ancient forest
Dec 28, 2024Dudhsagar Falls, Goa
The festival of breaking the fast
Feb 12, 2024Volcán Alcedo giant tortoises
The mystery of Stonehenge
Oct 11, 2023The Painted Hills, Oregon
Sep 11, 2025Butterfly Beach in Canacona, South Goa
Get ready for the blood moon
Feb 27, 2026International Polar Bear Day
Will we be ready for the ‘big one?’