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Death Valley National Park, California
Death Valley National Park, California
Stretching for miles below the desert sun, the salt flats of Badwater Basin shine in Death Valley National Park, California. This sweltering spot is the lowest point of elevation in North America, 282 feet below sea level. In this otherworldly landscape, the hardened mineral surface glistens like a mirror as the scorching heat dances upon it, creating rippling waves in the air. Composed of sodium chloride, borax, and other minerals, the flats" brittle crust conceals a treacherous mud layer beneath. For those who venture beyond the flats and up a mountainside, Dante"s View reveals a panoramic view of Badwater Basin from a height of nearly 5,500 feet. With its surreal landscapes, Death Valley National Park serves up unique beauty in the harshest of conditions.Desktop Version
Autumn in Alaska
Autumn in Alaska
It"s that time of year when Alaskan caribou are beginning to feel a little frisky. From late September until early November, males will be strutting their stuff, locking antlers with one another, and competing for the attention of females in hopes of furthering the species. Successful males will mate with 15-20 females a season. After the rutting season males will shed their antlers while females keep theirs until spring. In today"s photo we"re looking at some caribou in southcentral Alaska crossing the Susitna River.Desktop Version
National Moth Week
National Moth Week
How come bees and butterflies get all the pollinator credit? Moths may not be as buzzy or flashy, but they get the job done, too. Cue National Moth Week, which starts today. Whether you generally swat at moths with a rolled-up newspaper or drape them in a towel to release outside, there"s a place for you in Moth Week. You can join enthusiastic "moth-ers" around the world to observe and document our flying friends and to help us understand more about them.Desktop Version
International Museum Day
International Museum Day
To mark International Museum Day, we"re featuring a destination that hasn"t (yet!) achieved the fame of the Louvre or the Getty or the Met, although it"s as unmistakable in appearance as any of them. This relatively small wonder proves that inspiration can be found in many places, including a suburb of Kansas City. At 42,000 square feet, the Museum at Prairiefire in Overland Park, Kansas, is about 1/50th the size of the American Museum of Natural History in New York, with which it has a partnership. But to those who find beauty and truth behind its walls, Prairiefire is no less enriching.Desktop Version
Womens History Month
Womens History Month
Every March, we celebrate Women"s History Month, a tribute to the generations of women who have shaped our past and are inspiring our present. Today, let"s take a moment to highlight a crucial step that was taken for a more representative democracy—the women"s suffrage movement. This image shows a sea of determined faces in a 1915 Manhattan suffrage parade. Pioneers like Susan B. Anthony and Lucy Stone spearheaded this effort, which culminated in the historic 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote. Over a hundred years later, women now hold 28% of seats in Congress, a dramatic leap forward from the past and a reminder of progress still to be made.Desktop Version
International Roller Coaster Day
International Roller Coaster Day
From single rails to virtual reality, roller coasters have been thrilling people for centuries. Their origins can be traced back to 17th-century Russia, where wooden slides—"Russian Mountains"—provided seasonal entertainment. The first roller coaster was built in early 19th-century Paris, France. Called "Les Montagnes Russes à Belleville," it featured wheeled carts securely attached to tracks. By the 1900s, coasters were looping the loop for the first time.Desktop Version
World Theater Day
World Theater Day
Lights on, curtains rise—it"s World Theater Day. Since 1961, this annual event by the International Theater Institute (ITI) has united audiences and artists in a shared appreciation of storytelling, creativity, and culture. Every year, a renowned theater figure is invited by ITI to deliver a message that resonates across the industry. Their words are translated into more than 50 languages and shared with people all over the world. These messages highlight theater"s role in society—be it as a mirror to reality, an agent of change, or a refuge for the imagination. From Shakespeare"s soliloquies to experimental avant-garde productions, theater has continuously evolved while holding onto its core: human connection.Desktop Version
National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month
From early Spanish colonialism to modern day civil rights struggles, the timeline of Hispanic and Latino history in the US is a rich one. Hispanic Heritage Month—September 15 to October 15—is dedicated to the history, culture, and heritage grounded in Latin America. It began as Hispanic Week in 1968 and has since evolved into a 30-day celebration. Why does it start in the middle of the month? September 15 sees the first of a series of independence days in several Latin American countries—El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. They are followed by Mexico, Chile, and Belize, which mark theirs on September 16, 18, and 21, respectively.Desktop Version
Sea Otter Awareness Week
Sea Otter Awareness Week
We"re celebrating Sea Otter Awareness Week with this laid-back little guy in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Sea otters are native to the northern and eastern coasts of the North Pacific Ocean. They"re expert foragers, diving to the seabed to find food and using rocks to crack open shellfish, one of the few animals that use tools. There used to be as many as 300,000 sea otters in the wild, but they were heavily hunted for their dense fur for almost two centuries. By 1911, it is thought that only around 2,000 sea otters were left. Thankfully, an international hunting ban and conservation efforts have helped them rebound in their historic habitat to an estimated 125,000. Despite this success, some populations continue to struggle, and sea otters are still an endangered species. So, unlike our homepage star, we can"t relax on sea otter conservation just yet.Desktop Version
Pride 2022
Pride 2022
We"re commemorating Pride Weekend, a time when the focus turns to the LGBTQI+ community and a celebration of gay rights. The first pride parades took to the streets in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles in June 1970, in remembrance of the Stonewall Uprising in Greenwich Village, New York City, the previous year. In the early hours of June 28, 1969, police dragged staff and patrons from the Stonewall Inn bar, a gay venue, sparking six days of protests. Now pride parades and events are celebrated each June in most parts of the world—New York City"s is still one of the largest pride celebrations. In 1999, President Bill Clinton gave Pride Month national recognition by declaring June "Gay & Lesbian Pride Month."Desktop Version
Festivus
Festivus
Family time during the holidays isn"t always harmonious. Sometimes you might be tempted to channel this chinstrap penguin and give your nearest and dearest an earful. If you need a break from all the seasonal joy, Festivus might be the holiday for you. The idea was popularized in a "Seinfeld" episode, which detailed the Costanza family"s December 23 traditions, including putting up an unadorned aluminum Festivus pole and airing their year-end personal grievances. Since the episode debuted in 1997, Festivus has taken on a life of its own both among fans and people looking for an alternative way to celebrate the season. While most embrace the trappings of the holiday season, Festivus is for the rest of us.Desktop Version
Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington
Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington
Olympic National Park, established in 1938, offers an escape into unspoiled wilderness. It covers nearly 1,440 square miles on Washington"s Olympic Peninsula. With a labyrinth of ecosystems that range from glacier-capped mountains to temperate rainforests, the park is a home for wildlife and an International Biosphere Reserve. Within it lies Shi Shi Beach, a serene stretch where the Pacific laps against sea stacks and sandy shores, as seen in today"s image.Desktop Version
Arbor Day
Arbor Day
With a little love, support, and luck, this wee sprout at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in California has a big future in store. It"s a coast redwood, the species that includes the tallest trees on Earth. Some top out at more than 350 feet tall and live for over 2,000 years. These redwoods are heroes of nature, affecting the weather and climate, while creating conditions essential for a healthy ecosystem along this stretch of the Pacific Coast.Desktop Version
Golling Waterfall, Salzburg, Austria
Golling Waterfall, Salzburg, Austria
This chilly scene captures Austria"s stunning Golling Waterfall, less than 20 miles south of the city of Salzburg. Tumbling down in two stages from the mouth of the Schwarzbachfall cave, the 249-foot fall is a sight to behold in every season—whether it"s framed by the lush greenery of spring or the icy embrace of winter. This region is known for its natural wonders and is also home to the world’s biggest ice cave, Eisriesenwelt, and the narrow Salzachöfen Gorge, considered to be the birthplace of white-water kayaking. Whether you are into hiking, photography, or just looking to spend some quality time in nature, this is a great Austrian destination.Desktop Version
International Day for Biological Diversity
International Day for Biological Diversity
Life on Earth, from tiny bacteria to towering trees, is interconnected. International Day for Biological Diversity is about celebrating this web of life that keeps our planet thriving. Biodiversity ties into everything, from sustainable farming and clean water to climate action and disaster preparedness. A decline in biodiversity can increase the spread of zoonotic diseases—those transmitted from animals to humans. In contrast, protecting biodiversity strengthens our ability to prevent and respond to health crises like pandemics. Recognizing its crucial role for current and future generations, the United Nations observes this day each year to raise awareness and foster action for conserving the planet"s biological treasures.Desktop Version
International Jazz Day
International Jazz Day
Born in the Black communities of New Orleans, jazz music quickly caught on outside the Big Easy and became an international sensation. Due to its improvisational nature, jazz never stays the same, fusing with other cultures and genres to create styles such as Afro-Cuban, Latin, and Indo Jazz. UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and jazz pianist Herbie Hancock created International Jazz Day to celebrate the global genre, first held in 2012 with events in New York, Paris, and New Orleans. We hope you celebrate by putting on your favorite jazz record, or if you can swing it, visit New Orleans" legendary jazz venue, Preservation Hall, seen in our photo here.Desktop Version
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
If you"re looking for a Halloween destination that combines history with a hefty dose of hauntings, Edinburgh Castle is the place to be. Positioned high on an extinct volcano, the castle"s royal connections go back nearly 1,000 years, and its walls have witnessed wars, royal births, executions, and other dramas. But what really sets it apart, is its reputation as one of Scotland"s most haunted spots.Desktop Version
Daylight saving time begins
Daylight saving time begins
It"s the time of year again when clocks spring forward, stealing an hour of sleep but giving us longer evenings to enjoy. Daylight saving time (DST) starts today at 2 AM, except in Arizona and Hawaii, reminding us that time, quite literally, waits for no one. The idea is simple: maximizing daylight and reducing energy consumption by syncing our activities with the natural light cycle. This concept was popularized by Benjamin Franklin in the 18th century, though his suggestion to "save candles" was more satirical than a serious proposal. Fast-forward to the early 20th century, when many countries adopted DST to conserve fuel during wartime. The US officially standardized it in 1966 with the Uniform Time Act. Today, DST runs from March to November in around 70 countries, giving eight months of extended evening light.Desktop Version
World Population Day
World Population Day
In 1987, sometime around July 11, the world population reached the 5-billion mark. The United Nations recognized the need to address issues like family planning, infrastructure, waste, and pollution and established World Population Day in 1989. It is estimated that we hit 8 billion people in November 2022 and the UN expects the world to reach 9.7 billion people in 2050. But not everywhere faces the same challenges. While some areas struggle with overcrowding, others grapple with decreasing populations. The Italian town of Gangi, Sicily, seen in today"s image, had about 16,000 residents in the 1950s. Today, it is home to little more than 6,000. Keen on revitalization, Gangi attracts new residents by giving away abandoned houses, on the condition that the properties are then restored.Desktop Version
International Museum Day
International Museum Day
For International Museum Day, we’re featuring the towering aluminum-clad Plaza Carso building, part of the Museo Soumaya in Mexico City. It was built to house Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim’s vast art collection, which includes the largest collection of sculptures by Auguste Rodin outside France. The building, designed by Fernando Romero, is a sculpture in itself. Covered in 16,000 hexagonal aluminum plates, the windowless facade looks stunning and helps protect the artwork inside from intense sunlight. It is one of many eye-catching museum buildings worldwide which attract interest both for their collections and for their creative design.Desktop Version
Vasco da Gama Bridge, Lisbon, Portugal
Vasco da Gama Bridge, Lisbon, Portugal
Today"s image features the Vasco da Gama Bridge in Portugal, which looks like a sleek line cutting through Lisbon"s skyline. Up close, it is a cable-stayed bridge with viaducts, stretching across the Tagus River in Parque das Nações, a civil parish in Lisbon. The second longest bridge in Europe, it also holds the title of being the longest in the European Union. Built to ease the traffic jam on Lisbon"s 25 de Abril Bridge and make travel smoother between the north and south of Portugal, the construction of the Vasco da Gama Bridge began in February 1995. It is earthquake-resistant, designed to absorb shifting during a quake. Since its deck is not fixed to the pylons, it can move both lengthwise and sideways. Inaugurated on March 29, 1998, the bridge"s opening was perfectly timed for Expo 98, the World"s Fair celebrating the 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama"s historic sea route discovery from Europe to India.Desktop Version
Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, England
Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, England
Bamburgh Castle perches on a crag of volcanic rock, overlooking sand dunes and the coast of Northumberland, England. The fortress, once a strategic Anglo-Saxon stronghold, evolved over centuries into the imposing structure seen today. The site was the seat of the ancient Northumbrian kingdom—an early medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom covering present-day northern England and southeast Scotland. The original castle was destroyed by invading Vikings in 993 and a new castle was built here by the Normans. Today"s castle is the result of various restorations in the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries. After surviving its share of attacks, Bamburgh Castle has made its way to the limelight due to its impressive silhouette against the North Sea, featuring in productions like "Macbeth," "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," and "Ivanhoe."Desktop Version
National Public Lands Day
National Public Lands Day
National Public Lands Day takes place every fourth Saturday of September. Today is all about preserving public lands, which can be anything from national parks to urban green spaces. On this day, entry fees to many federal lands are waived, and those who participate in conservation activities like cleanups or restoring historic structures receive free entry coupons for future visits to these locations. This day has grown substantially since it began in 1994. Its first celebration was started by three national agencies and drew 700 volunteers. By 2010, the number of volunteers had increased to 170,000, spreading across more than 2,000 sites.Desktop Version
International Day for Biological Diversity
International Day for Biological Diversity
On this day when we honor all the world"s species and their interdependence, the Burchell"s zebra and the cattle egret give us a great example of commensalism, a type of symbiosis in which one species gets a benefit without helping or hurting the other species: As the zebra grazes in the grass, it stirs up insects for the egret to eat.Desktop Version
Ocracoke Lighthouse on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina
Ocracoke Lighthouse on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina
Welcome to Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This secluded island, with 16 miles of beaches, can only be reached by ferry or small plane. The Ocracoke Lighthouse, seen in today"s image, stands out as a notable landmark. The lighthouse celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2023, making it the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in North Carolina. It boasts an 8,000-candlepower light, which can be seen up to 14 miles offshore.Desktop Version