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Oct 26, 2022Brocken spectre in Central Balkan National Park, Bulgaria

With Halloween around the corner, we present the ghostly image of a Brocken spectre. Despite appearances and the season, there"s nothing paranormal about a Brocken spectre. It"s the magnified shadow of an observer cast in midair upon a cloud opposite a strong light source. Brocken spectres are rare but climb a mountain at dawn up to the misty slopes and you may be fortunate enough to witness the effect. The spectre, also known as a Brocken bow, mountain spectre, or spectre of the Brocken, can appear anywhere in which conditions are right—like here in the Balkans of Bulgaria. But it"s the thick fogs of the Brocken, a peak in the Harz Mountains in Germany, from which the phenomenon draws its name.Desktop Version

Jun 2, 2022Queen Elizabeth s Platinum Jubilee

Any royal watcher will tell you that the Brits know how to throw a good party. For Queen Elizabeth II"s Platinum Jubilee—she"s been monarch for an amazing 70 years—a slew of events are planned, hitting all the notes from pomp and ceremony to picnics on the village green. Of course, the Trooping of the Colour will take center stage today as the official birthday parade, with 1,400 soldiers in full military regalia, 200 horses, and 400 military band musicians. The royal family will watch the parade and then turn their gaze to the skies as the Royal Air Force flies past. The rest of the jubilee week will include a service of thanksgiving at St. Paul"s Cathedral in London, a live concert here at Buckingham Palace, and a special pageant featuring people from throughout Britain.Desktop Version

Oct 28, 2023Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

In the Spanish town of Consuegra, echoes linger of the adventures of Don Quixote, the hero of Miguel de Cervantes" epic novel. This tourist destination in Castilla-La Mancha is famous for its rocky ridge, known as Cerro Calderico, crowned with 12 white windmills. The windmills are thought to have inspired Cervantes to write the famous scene in which Don Quixote mistakes them for an army of giants. With their stone walls and wooden blades, some date back to the 16th century, when they were built to grind grain.Desktop Version

Aug 11, 2022It s Mountain Day in Japan

It makes a mountain of sense for Japan to celebrate Mountain Day, which occurs each August 11. First celebrated in 2016, it"s Japan"s newest holiday. Nearly three-quarters of the country is made up of mountains, thanks to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire volcanic zone. Japan"s four major islands—Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku—all have ranges running through them.Desktop Version

Nov 13, 2022River Quoich in Aberdeenshire, Scotland

In the eastern Highlands of Scotland, tucked into the forested plateaus of the Cairngorms mountain range, is a small but beloved river that runs through a ravine. The River Quoich is frequented by nature lovers, hikers, and intrepid paddlers willing to brave its surprisingly swift currents and its several waterfalls, including the one featured here, the Linn of Quoich. This spot is famous for the bowl-shaped cavity in the rock that you see on the left.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

Nov 18, 2022Keyholes to the kingdom

The International Day of Islamic Art, proclaimed by UNESCO in 2019, occurs every November 18 to celebrate past and contemporary artistic expressions of Islam, and to highlight Islamic artists' contributions to world civilization. November 18 also marks Morocco's independence day, commemorating Sultan Muhammad V's return to Morocco from exile in November 1955.Desktop Version

Jul 4, 2022Independence Day

Americans will spend this day in a myriad of ways, likely with others and likely outdoors. Many will be at carnivals and picnics, watching parades and listening to concerts. It"s all in honor of the moment that the people of 13 far-flung colonies collectively declared they would become a united and independent nation, free of the rule of Great Britain and its monarch King George III across the Atlantic Ocean. For millions of Americans, Independence Day, or the Fourth of July, will end with the launching of fireworks over towns and cities, including the nation"s capital of Washington, DC, shown here with the White House and the Washington Monument illuminated.Desktop Version

Apr 23, 2024World Book Day

In the heart of Ireland, amidst the storied halls of the Library of Trinity College Dublin, scrolls and tomes whisper tales of long-gone eras. Today, these silent storytellers shine for World Book Day. Established by UNESCO in 1995, the day serves as a reminder of the importance of reading, publishing, and copyright. But why April 23? It marks the shared death anniversary of William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes, and several other literary greats. From the annual street festival exhibiting authors, poets, and literary organizations in Kensington, Maryland, to the distribution of book vouchers to kids in many countries around the world, this day comes alive with the rustle of turning pages. Interestingly, each year, UNESCO crowns one city as the "World Book Capital." The chosen city then carries out activities aimed at promoting reading for the awarded year; this year it is Strasbourg, France. So, have you picked out a book to read yet?Desktop Version

Aug 7, 2024St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights, Michigan

Amid dusky hues, lighthouses mark where a Great Lake meets a river. Two piers were built on Lake Michigan, one either side of the mouth of the St. Joseph River to help protect ships sailing upstream. In the early 20th century, a lighthouse was built at the end of each pier; the St. Joseph North Pier Inner and Outer Lights, pictured here.Desktop Version

Oct 30, 2022Polar Bear Week

The largest carnivore on land roams the icy north. Polar bears like this one spend much of their lives on sea ice rather than terra firma, stalking their favorite prey: seals. Superbly insulated against the cold, polar bears are uniquely suited for life on the ice—so they"re especially vulnerable to a warming planet. Their plight is the focus of Polar Bear Week, observed the first week of every November, bringing attention to these creatures who live far out of sight of most humans.Desktop Version

Jun 18, 2024Lupine fields, Snæfellsnes, Iceland

As spring gives way to summer in Iceland, the rugged landscape bursts into color. Lupines were introduced here in the 1940s for their soil-binding properties, to reduce erosion. The plant flourishes in sandy and salty soils and spreads rapidly, bringing hues of purple, pink, and blue. Although some consider lupine to be a threat to native plants, it is welcomed by many as a cherished part of the summer landscape. You can find lupine fields in Reykjavík, near the Skógafoss waterfall, and lining the road to the Hellissandur Church in the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, as seen in today"s image.Desktop Version

Jun 30, 2022Asteroid Day

Today is Asteroid Day, and it"s a reminder that as our planet follows its path around the sun, it encounters a lot of stuff. Science tells us that every day, Earth"s atmosphere is hit with roughly 100 tons of dust and particles the size of a grain of sand. And every year, at least 30 small asteroids enter the atmosphere, only to burn up before touching the ground. NASA says it"s pretty much guaranteed that at least one of them will be about the size of a car. As time progresses, the likelihood increases that even larger celestial rocks will hit the ground and cause significant damage.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

Oct 29, 2024Great horned owl

The Halloween season is upon us, so let"s meet one of the holiday"s icons: the great horned owl. With its keen vision, eerie vocalizations, and silent flight, this owl has historically been revered and feared. In folklore and mythology, owls were considered symbols of wisdom and omens of death. On Samhain, the Celtic precursor to Halloween, the owl was believed to be the kin of roaming spirits.Desktop Version

Apr 2, 2024Beech trees and wild anemones, Jutland, Denmark

Today"s homepage takes us to Jutland, Denmark, where the arrival of spring showcases the green hues of the European beech, a national symbol of this northern land. The young leaves of these budding trees are significant to the Danish people, as they are harvested from April to May and used in cooking—particularly in salads. In the past, Europeans would often use the smooth bark of beech trees for writings texts and the word "book" is thought to be derived from the word for "beech." As the sun shines through the forest canopy, wild anemones brighten up the woodland with their white petals. These blooms, representing delicate beauty and sincerity, have even starred in masterpieces by artists such as Monet and Vincent van Gogh.Desktop Version

Jul 8, 2022Preveli Gorge

Trojan War-era rest stop? Local legend has it that this striking and historic location in southern Crete was a stopover on Odysseus" long return to Ithaca. Whatever credence you give to Homeric tales of island hopping, there"s no denying the appeal of the palm-lined Preveli Gorge or the enchanting beach it pours out to. Preveli Beach, just out of the frame of this image, was a favorite spot for hippie travelers in the "60s and "70s and remains an idyllic tourist destination today.Desktop Version

Jul 14, 2022Shark Awareness Day

For Shark Awareness Day, let"s consider things from the shark"s point of view. Sharks get a bad rap. They may be apex predators of the oceans, but we"re the ones most responsible for reducing their populations by more than 70% in the past half-century. Rather than perpetuate the stereotype of sharks being dangerous, let"s think of them as they are—amazing sea creatures with hundreds of millions of years of history in their genes. We may not always want to encounter them face to face, but they deserve our respect and for the health of our oceans as whole, sharks deserve protection.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

Sep 27, 2023Via Krupp, Capri, Italy

Via Krupp is a cliffside pathway on the Italian island of Capri, renowned for its dramatic serpentine design. Built between 1900 and 1902 by the German industrialist Friedrich Alfred Krupp, the footpath connects the town of Capri to Marina Piccola beach, and allowed Krupp to access his properties. The pathway"s intricate layout, with its sharp turns and steep inclines, was an engineering marvel of its time. Via Krupp"s panoramic vistas of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Faraglioni rock formations, and the lush landscape of the island have drawn admiration for generations. Due to concerns over preservation and safety, because of falling rocks, the pathway has faced intermittent closures, though it reopened in June this year for the first time in nine years.Desktop Version

May 29, 2023Memorial Day

On Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives serving in the US military. People mark the day in different ways by attending parades, laying flags or flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers, and participating in community events.Desktop Version

Sep 21, 2022International Day of Peace

Today we"re marking the International Day of Peace, first commemorated in 1981, when the United Nations dedicated the day to "strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of nonviolence and ceasefire." This year"s theme is "End racism, build peace." As the UN says, "Achieving true peace entails much more than laying down arms. It requires the building of societies where all members feel that they can flourish. It involves creating a world in which people are treated equally, regardless of their race."Desktop Version

Sep 30, 2022Southern right whale

The end of September in the Southern Hemisphere means warming weather and the nearing of summer. For southern right whales like this one off the coast of Argentina, it"s time to migrate southward toward Antarctica and rich feeding grounds. Southern right whales are a subspecies of right whale that inhabit the oceans below the equator. They feed on krill at the surface of the water, holding their mouths open as they swim through clouds of the tiny crustaceans.Desktop Version

Jan 20, 2025Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Today we honor the life and legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Prominent in the 1950s and 1960s, King was a Baptist minister who promoted nonviolent protest to effectuate social change. In 1963, he helped organize the March on Washington, DC, which 250,000 people attended to protest discrimination and support pending civil rights legislation. During this event, King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, imagining America free of racism and segregation. His speech is regarded as one of America"s greatest, and his leadership was instrumental in ending racial segregation of African Americans throughout many parts of the United States. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, but his life was cut short by an assassin in 1968.Desktop Version

Mar 11, 2024National Napping Day

Feeling sluggish from the effects of daylight saving time? Don"t worry, National Napping Day has you covered! This holiday, introduced in 1999 by Boston University professor William Anthony and his wife, Camille, promotes naps and their short-term benefits to mental alertness. Take a cue from today"s image; this sleepy koala may inspire you to catch some Z"s. These adorable Australian marsupials can sleep up to 20 hours a day, which helps them conserve the little energy they get from their eucalyptus-based diet. Koalas move slowly when awake, spend most of their time tucked into nooks in trees, and have a lower body temperature than other animals of their size. Let"s find some time today to sneak off to a peaceful spot to experience the benefits of Napping Day.Desktop Version

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