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Dec 22, 2024Christmas tree at Crystal Pier, San Diego, California

Santa has plenty of runway to land, but good luck trying to find a chimney. Today, we"re getting ready for Christmas at Pacific Beach in San Diego, California. While it might not snow here, there"s still plenty of yuletide spirit leading up to Christmas in sunny Southern California. Among many beautiful examples on San Diego"s Christmas Tree Trail is the 20-foot tree at the end of a festively decorated Crystal Pier.Desktop Version

Dec 21, 2024Happy winter solstice!

The winter solstice is here. Today marks the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere, while last night was the longest night of the year. This has been an important event for millennia, with evidence of celebrations going back as far as 10,000 BCE. Some of the world"s most famous Stone Age monuments, including Stonehenge, are aligned with the point that the sun rises or sets on the winter solstice. Traditionally, it was a time for feasting and lighting of fires to symbolize the darkest day of the year. Ancient Germanic tribes celebrated the winter solstice by bringing evergreens into their homes as a symbol of the returning light and the coming spring.Desktop Version

Dec 20, 2024Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland

Nestled in Rovaniemi, Finland, and pictured in today"s image, Santa Claus Village is a magical year-round destination where visitors can step into the enchanting world of Christmas. Situated right on the Arctic Circle, this village offers unique experiences, like meeting Santa Claus himself or crossing the Arctic Circle line. Children and adults alike can meet Santa"s loyal reindeer and explore a vibrant collection of Christmas-themed attractions designed to delight visitors of all ages.Desktop Version

Dec 19, 2024Sibiu Christmas market, Romania

As the winter chill sets in, the city of Sibiu transforms into a dazzling holiday wonderland as it hosts one of Romania"s most popular Christmas markets. The Sibiu Christmas Market, known in Romanian as Târgul de Crăciun din Sibiu, is held in the central square from the end of November until early January. Sparkling strings of lights drape across the square, seen in today"s image, creating a canopy that bathes the cobblestone streets in a warm, festive glow. There also stands a beautifully lit Christmas tree, surrounded by charming wooden huts selling everything from handcrafted ornaments to locally made treats like cozonac, a traditional Romanian sweet bread; vin fiert, an aromatic mulled wine; and covrigi, a type of pretzel served warm and sprinkled with salt.Desktop Version

Dec 18, 2024English National Ballet performing The Nutcracker

Every holiday season, as snow begins to fall and Christmas lights twinkle in the night, the story of "The Nutcracker" comes to life on stages around the world. Written by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1892, this beloved ballet is based on E.T.A. Hoffmann"s fairy tale "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King." Set on Christmas Eve, it follows a young girl named Clara, who goes on an adventure with the Nutcracker Prince as they battle the evil Mouse King. Many renowned ballet companies present their rendition of this classic every year, including the New York City Ballet, the Boston Ballet, and the English National Ballet, pictured here.Desktop Version

Dec 17, 2024Traditional red fishermens cabins, Reine, Norway

Step aside, regular beach houses—Reine"s little red cabins are here to steal the show. One of the prettiest places in the Lofoten Islands of Norway, Reine is a fishing village with a population of around 300. A trading post since 1775, it has evolved from a commercial hub to become a sought-after tourist destination. The village"s waterfront is lined with the traditional fishermen"s cabins called rorbu or rorbuer, which are mostly red in color, as seen in today"s image. Once important to fishermen, these cabins have now become a popular pick for tourist rentals. In 1999, German painter Ingo Kühl set up a pop-up studio in a rorbu in Reine, where he painted scenes of the harbor framed by the towering mountain range. This village truly shines in winter, when you have the chance to see the northern lights twinkling in the night sky.Desktop Version

Dec 16, 2024Salzburg, Austria

Today, we"re in the Austrian city of Salzburg, a place that never goes out of style. The Advent season here creates a magical atmosphere, making it a truly unforgettable time to visit this city. Twinkling decorations bring the place to life, and the cozy scents of warm chestnuts, mulled wine, and freshly baked cookies mingle in the air. During this time, Salzburger Christkindlmarkt, a world-famous traditional Advent market, is hosted here. Seen on the hill in today"s image is the Hohensalzburg Fortress, home to the popular Fortress Advent market, brimming with holiday cheer.Desktop Version

Dec 15, 2024Lake Misurina, Dolomites, Italy

You might have heard of a pool of tears, but have you ever heard of a lake of tears? Well, legend has it that Lake Misurina, pictured here, in Italy"s Dolomites, was born from the sorrow of a giant named Sorapis. At more than 5,700 feet above sea level, it is the largest natural lake in the Cadore region, with its perimeter stretching more than 1.5 miles. The area around the lake is known for its beneficial climate, especially for those with respiratory conditions. Its crystal-clear waters and surrounding hotels provide a perfect getaway for up to 500 visitors. The lake played a role in the 1956 Winter Olympics, where it hosted speed skating events on natural ice, and it has even been immortalized in a pop song by singer Claudio Baglioni. With astounding views, mythical roots, and activities for every season, this lake may well be the Dolomites" most alluring reflection.Desktop Version

Dec 14, 2024Christmas Bird Count turns 125

For 125 years, bird enthusiasts across North America have turned the holiday season into a festive, feathered affair with the Christmas Bird Count. Founded by ornithologist Frank Chapman as an eco-friendly twist on holiday hunting parties, this annual event replaced shotguns with binoculars. Since then, it has become one of the world"s longest-running citizen science projects. Every year from December 14 to January 5, volunteers of all ages and birding skill levels come together to survey designated areas called "circles." Each circle has a 15-mile diameter, and participants count every bird they see or hear within it. The result is a colossal snapshot of bird diversity, with data collected from over 2,500 locations each season. It"s a serious effort to track changes in bird populations, providing valuable data for scientists working to protect vulnerable species.Desktop Version

Dec 13, 2024Christmas market, St. Stephens Basilica, Budapest, Hungary

As the holiday season kicks off, St. Stephen"s Basilica becomes the dazzling centerpiece of one of Budapest"s iconic Christmas markets. The fair buzzes with holiday spirit, offering a mix of Hungarian craft, festive décor, and local delicacies, capturing the essence of a traditional Christmas. The Advent Feast—an event held in the weeks leading up to Christmas and part of Hungary"s holiday traditions—invites guests to savor dishes like chimney cakes, stuffed cabbage, and goulash soup, while the scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts fills the air. A highlight for many is the 3D light show projected onto the basilica"s facade, a modern touch that brings this historic structure to life.Desktop Version

Dec 12, 2024Poinsettia Day

Here"s the red poinsettia, one of the plants synonymous with the holiday season in the United States. With its striking star-shaped leaves, the poinsettia has become a symbol of Christmas cheer, brightening homes and public spaces during winter. Today, National Poinsettia Day celebrates the legacy of Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first US ambassador to Mexico, who introduced these vibrant plants to America in the 1820s. He discovered them while exploring the Taxco region in Guerrero. So taken by their beauty, he sent clippings back to his home in Charleston, South Carolina.Desktop Version

Dec 11, 2024International Mountain Day

Today, we celebrate International Mountain Day, an event to honor the towering giants of our planet. Among them are the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, or the "Three Peaks of Lavaredo," seen on the right in today"s image. A part of the Sexten Dolomites in northeastern Italy, they"re one of the most famous mountain groups in the Alps. These three peaks—Cima Grande, Cima Ovest, and Cima Piccola—are a UNESCO World Heritage Site that captivates adventurers and nature lovers alike. During World War I, the front line between Italy and Austria-Hungary cut through the peaks, leaving the area with many remnants of the conflict, such as fortifications, trenches, tunnels, and commemorative plaques.Desktop Version

Dec 10, 2024Lands End, Cornwall, England

Windswept cliffs, rugged beauty, and dramatic ocean views—welcome to Land"s End in Cornwall, England. Since ancient Greek times, when it was known as "Belerion" or "Place of the Sun," or in Arthurian legends about the lost land of Lyonesse, Land"s End has always been a place of fascination. Land"s End is the most southwestern point on mainland Britain. It"s often the starting point or end of charity races that run the length of the island of Great Britain from Land"s End to John o"Groats at Britain"s northeastern tip.Desktop Version

Dec 9, 2024Llama Day

Prick up your ears and crane your neck—it"s National Llama Day. Part of a family that includes camels, alpacas, and guanacos, llamas have long been domesticated in South America because of their hardiness and ability to thrive on the bleak vegetation in the mountains and plateaus of the Andes. At up to 6 feet tall and weighing up to 400 pounds, they were used primarily as pack animals for about 6,500 years. They were also bred as a source of food, hides, tallow for candles, dung for fuel, and fabric. While inferior to alpaca and guanaco wool, llama fleece is soft, warm, durable, and fairly lightweight. It"s used for clothing, rugs, and rope.Desktop Version

Dec 8, 2024Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens

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.Desktop Version

Dec 7, 2024National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Today, the country remembers "a date which will live in infamy." President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke these words to Congress in 1941, the day after Japan"s attack on the Pearl Harbor naval base in Oahu, Hawaii. The destruction inflicted on the US Pacific Fleet is one of military history"s most devastating surprise attacks. More than 3,500 US servicepeople were killed or wounded, and eight battleships were destroyed or damaged in less than two hours. Following Roosevelt"s speech came a declaration of war and the entrance of the US into World War II. Congress named December 7 National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in 1994.Desktop Version

Dec 6, 2024Finnish Independence Day

Happy Independence Day, Finland! On this day in 1917, the Nordic nation declared its independence from Russia. Finland had been a grand duchy of the Russian Empire since 1809, and it was part of the Swedish Empire for the previous 600 years. However, during the Russian revolutions of 1917, Finnish nationalists saw their chance to establish an independent nation. After several months of negotiations, Finland declared independence on December 6.Desktop Version

Dec 5, 2024Tufa formations in Mono Lake, California

Shaped by the slow passage of time, tufa—a type of porous limestone—emerges as one of nature"s most spectacular formations. While these towers can be found in many places, today"s image shows some at Mono Lake in Mono County, California. These structures develop when calcium-rich fresh water, flowing into the lake from several creeks and streams, mixes with the lake"s alkaline water. Over centuries, this interaction caused calcium carbonate to build up, forming tufa spires above the lake"s surface. To preserve the tufa towers, the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve was established in 1981.Desktop Version

Dec 4, 2024Wildlife Conservation Day

It"s Wildlife Conservation Day—an important reminder to celebrate and defend our planet"s incredible biodiversity. Many species face extinction, including African forest elephants, Cross River gorillas, and Yangtze finless porpoises. Since its launch in 2012, this special day has highlighted illegal wildlife trade and other threats that animals face. It also draws attention to the need for stronger long-term solutions.Desktop Version

Dec 3, 2024Amber Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Grand palaces and towering forts shape the landscape of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Among the most prominent is Amber Fort, also known as Amer Fort or Amber Palace, which is perched on a small hill about 7 miles from the main city of Jaipur. Within its regal walls lies the Sattais Katcheri, which means "court of 27 pillars," featured in today"s image. Amber Fort was built in 1592 and it served as the residence of the maharajas, or rulers, of the area. Famous for its unique blend of Hindu, Rajput, and Mughal architectural styles, it is constructed from pale yellow and pink sandstone alongside white marble. This masterpiece is spread across four levels, each with its own courtyard. Part of the wider Hill Forts of Rajasthan UNESCO World Heritage Site, Amber Fort invites visitors to explore a rich blend of history and royalty.Desktop Version

Dec 2, 2024Moose, Denali National Park, Alaska

Have you ever experienced the awe of seeing an Alaskan moose? The largest moose species, these creatures can weigh 1,400 pounds and reach heights of up to 6 feet at the shoulder. Male moose are called bulls, females are known as cows, and their young are referred to as calves. One thing that really sets moose apart is their incredible antlers, which are only sported by the males.Desktop Version

Dec 1, 2024Antarctica Day

Today, Antarctica Day shines a spotlight on one of the world"s most remarkable international agreements—the Antarctic Treaty. Signed in 1959 by 12 nations, this treaty designated the entire continent as a demilitarized zone, with a special focus on promoting scientific research and collaboration.. This day honors the spirit of global cooperation, reminding us of the collective responsibility to protect the planet"s last great wilderness.Desktop Version

Nov 30, 2024Saint Andrews Day

Put on your tartan and let the bagpipes play—it"s St. Andrew"s Day! Scotland"s national day is a public holiday there—though not everyone takes the day off. A fisherman by trade, St. Andrew—also the patron saint of several other countries including Greece, Barbados, Romania, and Ukraine—was one of the 12 apostles and a key figure in Christianity. Though he never set foot in Scotland, his influence is immortalized in the country"s flag, a white saltire on a blue background, said to represent the cross on which he was martyred.Desktop Version

Nov 29, 2024Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy, France

A tidal marvel and a slice of medieval life all rolled into one rocky outcrop—welcome to Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, northern France. The story of this "Wonder of the West" goes back to the early 8th century, when Archangel Michael was said to have appeared to the bishop of Avranches in a vision. The divine message was clear: build a sanctuary on this rock. Taking this angelic advice seriously, the bishop laid the foundations of what would eventually become the abbey that dominates the island today. Over the centuries, this UNESCO World Heritage Site grew in size and reputation, attracting monks, pilgrims, and invaders alike.Desktop Version

Nov 28, 2024Happy Thanksgiving!

Today, many Americans will spend time with friends and family, giving thanks and enjoying what some consider to be the best meal of the year. The tradition dates back to English colonists who celebrated the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1621. Their treacherous journey from England the year before and their first winter claimed half of the colonists, and the rest might have died too if not for the generosity of the Wampanoag people. To celebrate their first corn harvest and thank the Native Americans who helped them, the colonists held a three-day feast.Desktop Version

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