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Happy World Whale Day!
Happy World Whale Day!
On the third Sunday of February, World Whale Day highlights the beauty of whales and the challenges they face. This year, on February 16, we honor these majestic creatures, like the humpback whale pictured in today"s image, known for its enchanting songs and dramatic breaches. World Whale Day began in 1980 in Maui, Hawaii, led by Greg Kauffman of the Pacific Whale Foundation, to protect humpbacks from extinction. Today, it urges global action on threats like ocean pollution, climate change, and habitat loss.Desktop Version
International Surfing Day
International Surfing Day
Today, everybody"s hitting the waves for International Surfing Day! This event is about celebrating surfing while also drawing attention to the importance of protecting ocean environments to keep their waters pristine for wildlife and surfers alike. Surfing has a long history; around 5,000 years ago in Peru, people used reed watercraft to surf the waves when they were out fishing. It was in pre-colonial Hawaii, however, that modern surfing was born. Here, people started to stand on their boards and to surf for fun. Historians believe that surfing made its way to the US in 1885, when three teenage Hawaiian princes surfed on redwood boards while on a break from boarding school in California.Desktop Version
Apple trees in spring, Germany
Apple trees in spring, Germany
In this picturesque orchard, spring heralds the blossoming of apple trees. As the chill in the air starts to fade, delicate apple blossoms unfurl, releasing a sweet fragrance that permeates the countryside. This marks the beginning of a process that culminates in the harvest of one of the world"s most beloved fruits. Known for their crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor, apples belong to the Rosaceae family. These fruits come in a variety of colors, from vibrant reds to golden yellows and bright greens. Each type boasts its unique flavor profile, from the tangy Granny Smith to the sweetness of Fuji. These fruits are rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants, and essential vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin K, promoting overall health and well-being. Whether you like them fresh, baked in your favorite desserts, or pressed into cider, apples are a classic culinary delight.Desktop Version
Arbor Day
Arbor Day
The first Arbor Day in the US was held in 1872. Since then, the event has really taken root. On the last Friday of April, people across the country mark the occasion by planting trees, often dedicating them to a loved one. It"s also a great day to celebrate trees themselves. As well as providing homes for countless species of animals, trees absorb carbon dioxide and clean the air we breathe. They also help to keep cities cooler and can even play a role in preventing floods.Desktop Version
Happy Fat Tuesday!
Happy Fat Tuesday!
Mardi Gras, or "Fat Tuesday," is a vibrant tradition that marks the last day of indulgence before the Christian season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Rooted in ancient Roman celebrations like Saturnalia, Mardi Gras evolved as Christianity spread, blending local customs—most notably Carnival festivities—with religious observances. The name itself originates from French, with the word gras meaning "fat," referring to rich, fatty foods like meat, eggs, and cheese that are traditionally enjoyed before the fasting season begins.Desktop Version
Happy St. Patricks Day!
Happy St. Patricks Day!
St. Patrick"s Day, celebrated on March 17, honors Ireland"s patron saint and national apostle, Saint Patrick—a fifth-century missionary. A national holiday in Ireland, the festivity is marked by a range of cultural events, parades, and traditional music and dance enjoyed across the globe. Interestingly, the first St. Patrick"s Day parade wasn"t held in Ireland but in the US. The earliest celebration was organized by Irish vicar Ricardo Artur in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1601.Desktop Version
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument anniversary
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument anniversary
Welcome to Katahdin, where dense woodlands and pristine waterways stretch out as far as the eye can see. Covering nearly 87,500 acres, this new national monument was established eight years ago today. Maine"s logging industry was a big part of this region for over a hundred years but declined toward the end of the 19th century. Efforts to preserve its landscape were spearheaded by philanthropist Roxanne Quimby. She started buying land near Baxter State Park in 2001 and donated it to the federal government in 2016, ensuring its preservation for future generations.Desktop Version
Redwood National and State Parks, California
Redwood National and State Parks, California
Step into a world where trees touch the sky. The redwood groves of Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP) in California are home to some of the tallest trees on Earth, soaring over 370 feet high. The combined RNSP contain Redwood National Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Some of these redwoods were alive when the Mayans built their temples, and the Great Wall of China was under construction. Protected since 1968, the park preserves nearly half of the world"s remaining old-growth redwoods.Desktop Version
International Archaeology Day
International Archaeology Day
Today, dig deep and unearth your inner Indiana Jones or Lara Croft on International Archaeology Day. The event celebrates archaeology"s benefits for society, and includes exhibits and hands-on excavations, some of which run throughout the month. Many US national and state parks, historic landmarks, and local museums also hold events.Desktop Version
Collared aracari in Costa Rica
Collared aracari in Costa Rica
Black and yellow plumage, bright eyes, and an oversized bill—meet the collared aracari, a fascinating tropical bird. Gracing the forests from Mexico through Costa Rica, where today"s image was taken, to Colombia and Venezuela, this toucan gets its name from the red marking on the back of the neck. These birds circle through the air in groups of up to 15, and at night, snuggle together in tree cavities. Their song is as unique as their look—a high squeaky note that sounds like "seek," sometimes a "purr" or even a raspy "grhhrr." Although deforestation and hunting pose threats to these birds, they are not endangered. For now, collared aracaris remain a captivating sight, a splash of color, and a burst of life amid the sprawling branches.Desktop Version
International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples
International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples
Today we are celebrating the heritage and culture of native populations worldwide. There are some 5,000 Indigenous cultures in 90 countries around the world, from Samoa and Greenland to New Zealand and Nepal. One of the major challenges they face is the loss of their languages: It"s estimated that of the 4,000 Indigenous languages in the world, around 2,600 are in danger of becoming extinct.Desktop Version
World Elephant Day
World Elephant Day
Get ready to celebrate elephants, the largest living land animals. There are three elephant species alive today: African bush, African forest, and Asian. All three species are endangered, and World Elephant Day is dedicated to highlighting the challenges they face, like the ivory trade and habitat loss.Desktop Version
Earth Day
Earth Day
Today is Earth Day—a day dedicated to celebrating the planet we call home and raising awareness of environmental problems. The seeds of this day were planted back in 1969 when Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin witnessed events like the Cuyahoga River catching fire and the Santa Barbara oil spill and decided that the world needed an environmental initiative. A year later, the first Earth Day event was held. Now, it has grown into an annual event with more than a billion people in over 193 countries taking part.Desktop Version
Songkran—Thai New Year
Songkran—Thai New Year
New Year celebrations don"t always come with fireworks—sometimes, they come with buckets and a nationwide water splash fest! Thailand"s Songkran festival is a unique mix of spiritual traditions and all-out water fights. Held from April 13 to 15 this year, the holiday is deeply rooted in Buddhist customs and focuses on cleansing and starting afresh. During this time, people visit temples, offer food to monks, and pour scented water over Buddha statues and elders" hands as a sign of respect. Meanwhile, the streets turn into water battlegrounds, with locals and tourists alike getting soaked in the spirit of renewal. Traditional parades roll through the lanes, and in some places, the "Lady Songkran" or "Miss Songkran" contest steals the show, with contestants dressed in stunning Thai outfits.Desktop Version
Presidents Day
Presidents Day
Presidents" Day, celebrated on the third Monday in February, is a time for Americans to reflect on the legacies of those who have served in the country"s highest office. The day is officially Washington"s Birthday at the federal level, but it has evolved into a celebration that recognizes the achievements of all US presidents. Parades and patriotic displays are held across the country, and many people take the opportunity to learn about presidential history.Desktop Version
National Fossil Day
National Fossil Day
For National Fossil Day, we"re looking at the mesmerizing Painted Hills, found in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in Oregon. Those stripes of red, tan, orange, and black were formed over tens of millions of years, the different layers in the claystone hills reflecting changes in the climate over that period. The monument itself is divided into three units, Painted Hills, Clarno, and Sheep Rock. In the latter, you"ll find the Thomas Condon Visitor Center with a paleontology lab and a museum displaying hundreds of fossils. In the fossil beds, the remains of more than 100 species of mammals have been found, including saber-toothed tigers, turtles, and opossums, as well as many fossilized plant species. While the landscape might sometimes look otherworldly, it offers us a peek into Earth"s dynamic and fascinating history.Desktop Version
The Great Blue Hole, Belize
The Great Blue Hole, Belize
The Great Blue Hole, found near the center of Lighthouse Reef off the coast of Belize, is one of nature"s most incredible creations. The massive marine sinkhole, 1,043 feet across and 407 feet deep, was formed during the last ice age when a limestone cave system collapsed and rising sea levels flooded the area, leaving behind a striking natural wonder.Desktop Version
Veterans Day
Veterans Day
Freedom is not free, and nobody understands that better than veterans. Today, America honors its military men and women for their service. The holiday originally celebrated a temporary halt in fighting between Allied nations and Germany during World War I—the official end of the war came the following year in 1919. Armistice Day, as it was later named, commemorated this respite, and it became a federal holiday in 1938. A few years later, America fought in World War II, and later, the Korean War. As a result, Congress amended the holiday in 1954, exchanging the word "Armistice" with "Veterans" to include veterans of all the country"s wars.Desktop Version
International Womens Day
International Womens Day
Happy International Women"s Day! We celebrate IWD with London"s famous Tate Modern art gallery, lit up in purple. Why purple? The color associated with IWD symbolizes dignity, justice, and loyalty to the cause. This event celebrates women"s achievements in politics, culture, and society. Every year on March 8, educational and cultural activities, demonstrations, campaigns, and discussions highlight the importance of gender equality and women"s rights.Desktop Version
Lei Day
Lei Day
As the first day of May dawns in Hawaii, Lei Day bursts forth in a riot of color, fragrance, and festivity. Leis are garlands crafted from flowers, leaves, and even shells, carrying significant cultural importance in Hawaiian culture. Leis were brought by the Polynesians as they migrated eastward through the Pacific Islands before reaching Hawaii between 1000 and 1200 CE. They represent love, respect, and the ever-present aloha spirit, described as "the coordination of mind and heart within each person." Lei Day is an all-day fiesta that includes parades, pageants, lei-making contests, hula dances, and feasts. It also marks the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.Desktop Version
Black History Month
Black History Month
Today, the United States begins an annual, monthlong celebration of African Americans and their contributions to the country"s history and culture. The forerunner of Black History Month was created in 1926 by historian Carter Woodson and minister Jesse Moorland to study and promote the legacy of Black Americans. The weeklong celebration was observed in the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and African American abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Its popularity grew over the next 50 years in large part because of the civil rights movement, and President Gerald Ford expanded it to a full month in 1976. Other countries honor their own Black histories, including Canada, which also celebrates Black History Month throughout February.Desktop Version
Khao Sok National Park in Thailand
Khao Sok National Park in Thailand
Today we"re in a wildlife-packed wonderland with rainforests older than the Amazon—Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani province, southern Thailand. Established in 1980, the park is home to diverse wildlife, including the Malayan tapir, white-handed gibbon, gaur, and hornbill, making it an ideal destination for anyone ready to swap city noise for jungle sounds. There are trails to tackle, kayaks to paddle, and, if you"re fortunate, you might even catch a glimpse of the massive (and stinky) Rafflesia flower when it"s in bloom.Desktop Version
Indigenous Peoples Day
Indigenous Peoples Day
Our homepage today celebrates Indigenous Peoples" Day. In the US, the second Monday in October is dedicated to the enduring cultures that have shaped the nation. Among them are the Fremont people, who lived in and around what is now Utah, for more than 1,000 years up to 1300 CE. This broad group of communities left a lasting mark on their region with their distinctive petroglyphs, a form of ancient art chipped or carved into rock. Today, many Americans participate in Indigenous Day celebrations such as art exhibitions, traditional music, and storytelling. Locations such as Dinosaur National Monument, Fremont Indian State Park, and McKee Spring provide insights into the history of this ancient culture that lived here for centuries.Desktop Version
Lake Magadi, Kenya
Lake Magadi, Kenya
What an unearthly view! This aerial photograph shows a flamboyance of lesser flamingos against the backdrop of Lake Magadi in Kenya. The lesser flamingo is one of six species of flamingo, a bird known for its vibrant pink plumage and distinctive feeding behavior. They use their specialized beaks to filter algae near the water"s surface and are often found in African soda lakes like Lake Magadi, which are brimming with cyanobacteria and algae for them to eat. The spectacle of thousands of these avian wonders congregating at the lake reveals the importance of these unique ecosystems.Desktop Version
White trilliums blooming in Ontario, Canada
White trilliums blooming in Ontario, Canada
Three petals, three leaves, and three stigmas—that"s the white trillium for you, whose name derived from the Latin word for "three." Native to eastern North America, the spring-blooming species is one of the most common woodland wildflowers. Unlike some impulsive blossoms that burst into color at the slightest hint of warmth, this plant is a slow bloomer. From gracing US postage stamps to being the state wildflower of Ohio and an official symbol of Canada"s Ontario, the white trillium is ingrained in our culture. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the plant has earned its stripes in the world of herbal medicine. So, next time you find yourself wandering through the woodland realm, keep an eye out for this floral gem!Desktop Version