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Anniversary of Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
Anniversary of Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
Within the remote canyons of southeastern Utah, Natural Bridges National Monument highlights the power of erosion and the passage of time. Shaped by the relentless forces of wind and water, this monument features three magnificent natural bridges—Sipapu, Kachina, and Owachomo. These bridges were named to honor the Ancestral Puebloans who once lived here. Sipapu is the largest bridge, with a massive opening that could almost fit the dome of the United States Capitol. Kachina, pictured here, is equidistant from Sipapu and Owachomo. It was named after the petroglyphs and pictographs found at its base. Owachomo is believed to be the oldest of the three. Its thin, arching structure suggests it may eventually collapse.Desktop Version
Andean cocks-of-the-rock, Ecuador
Andean cocks-of-the-rock, Ecuador
If fashion had a bird ambassador, the cock-of-the-rock would steal the spotlight. The males look like they"re wearing a bright orange-red costume, complete with a huge crest that almost covers their beak. With its bold colors, this native South American bird isn"t just about looks—it"s got the moves too. The Andean and Guianan cock-of-the-rock are renowned for their theatrical courtship dances, making them true head-turners of the feathered kingdom. Females are far less flashy, with brownish feathers that help them stay hidden. During the mating season, males gather in leks—noisy display arenas—where they hop, squawk, and shake their heads in an effort to impress a female. She watches, picks the best dancer, mates, and then flies off to build a concave, cup-shaped mud nest on a rocky surface.Desktop Version
International Day for Monuments and Sites
International Day for Monuments and Sites
Imagine a world without the pyramids, the Great Wall, or ancient cave cities—hard to picture, right? That"s why April 18 is the International Day for Monuments and Sites, an event recognized by UNESCO dedicated to protecting cultural treasures worldwide. This day is all about celebrating our history, raising awareness about endangered sites, and making sure future generations can enjoy them too.Desktop Version
First day of National Park Week
First day of National Park Week
Get your hiking boots on—it"s National Park Week! This nine-day-long event encourages people to explore and appreciate the natural beauty and cultural heritage of our national parks. It"s an excellent time to learn about these protected areas, participate in preservation efforts, and enjoy their scenic views. You can join in by visiting a national park, sharing information about these natural treasures, and appreciating the vital role they play in our country"s heritage.Desktop Version
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter!
Today is a special day for billions of Christians worldwide—a time of renewal, celebration, and traditions. Easter, also called Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ as described in the New Testament. It"s also a time for festive traditions, from sunrise services to Easter egg hunts and, of course, the beloved Easter Bunny.Desktop Version
International Dark Sky Week
International Dark Sky Week
Imagine standing under a sky so dark that the Milky Way stretches across it like a luminous ribbon. This is the experience that International Dark Sky Week aims to bring back. Every April, during the week of the new moon (this year from April 21 to 27), we are invited to turn off our lights and gaze at the stars. The event was initiated by Jennifer Barlow, a high school student in 2003, to combat light pollution. One of the best places to experience the night sky"s beauty is Joshua Tree National Park in southeastern California, an International Dark Sky Park. Here, the absence of artificial light allows visitors to see the stars as our ancestors once did. Did you know that light pollution prevents us from seeing most of the stars in the Milky Way? By reducing it, we can reconnect with the universe"s beauty and wonder.Desktop Version
Earth Day
Earth Day
On Earth Day, let"s journey to one of nature"s most stunning displays of geothermal power—Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. The largest hot spring in the US, it spans 370 feet across and reaches temperatures of 160°F. This geothermal marvel is fueled by the immense heat of the massive Yellowstone volcano beneath the surface. Its vivid rings of blue, green, yellow, and orange are created by heat-loving microorganisms—called thermophiles—that thrive in the mineral-rich waters.Desktop Version
Shakespeare Day
Shakespeare Day
"All the world"s a stage ..." and only a few have shaped that stage like William Shakespeare. Every April 23, we celebrate Shakespeare Day, honoring one of England"s greatest playwrights and poets. This date is special as it marks both his birth and death. Born in 1564, Shakespeare revolutionized English literature with unforgettable works like "Hamlet," "Macbeth," and "Romeo and Juliet." Four centuries after his death, his influence remains undeniable—his stories continue to captivate, challenge, and inspire.Desktop Version
Spire Cove in Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Alaska
Spire Cove in Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Alaska
As National Park Week rolls on, let"s turn our attention to Kenai Fjords National Park, a gem on Alaska"s Kenai Peninsula. Stretching over 1,000 square miles, this landscape features fjords, river valleys, and alpine landscapes. More than half of the terrain is blanketed in ice. Throughout the 20th century, the park"s glaciers have receded, uncovering new land for plant and animal life to take root. From ancient Sitka spruces to delicate fireweed shoots and moss carpeting the forest floor, plant life in Kenai Fjords flourishes. The park is also home to diverse terrestrial and marine mammals, including timber wolves, porcupines, Canadian lynxes, and cetaceans like orcas and fin whales. It also hosts a variety of birds, such as bald eagles and Peale"s peregrine falcons.Desktop Version
World Penguin Day
World Penguin Day
Cute, clumsy, and completely captivating, penguins steal the show today. World Penguin Day is all about celebrating these flightless birds while raising awareness about their habitats. This day originated at McMurdo Station, an American research center on Ross Island in Antarctica, where scientists observed Adélie penguins starting their yearly migration around this time. Inspired by this natural event, the observance was created to shed light on penguins" role in the ecosystem, the threats they face, and the urgency of protecting their habitats.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
Halemaumau Crater, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Halemaumau Crater, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
As National Park Week wraps up today, let"s explore a park in a land sculpted by fire and time—Hawai"i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. The Halema"uma"u Crater is an intermittent lava lake in Kīlauea, one of Earth"s most active volcanoes. Since it was first documented in 1823, volcanic activity has caused the crater to fill with lava, partially collapse, erupt in fountains of lava, expand to twice its size on two occasions, and at times fill with groundwater. All this activity demonstrates the unpredictable raw power that lies below the surface of the Earth. The natural and cultural importance of this site led to the establishment of Hawai"i Volcanoes National Park in 1916, and to it being named a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site in the 1980s.Desktop Version
Impala in Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
Impala in Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
Here"s a place where the wild rules and nature moves at its own pace. Moremi Game Reserve stretches across the eastern side of Botswana"s Okavango Delta, covering 1,900 square miles. Established in 1963, it became Africa"s first reserve created by local people—the Batawana, a Bantu ethnic group native to Southern Africa—to protect the region"s wildlife from uncontrolled hunting. The combination of permanent water and dry land makes it one of the best places in Africa to observe wildlife in its natural habitat.Desktop Version
Formal garden at Château de Villandry, Loire Valley, France
Formal garden at Château de Villandry, Loire Valley, France
The grass truly is greener on the other side—especially when that side is Château de Villandry. While the Loire Valley in France is packed with stunning châteaux (French for castles), Villandry stands apart, not for its towering turrets or medieval might, but for its gardens. Built in the 16th century by Jean le Breton, a minister to King Francis I, Villandry was always meant to impress. Unlike fortified castles built for war, it was designed for comfort, featuring large windows and an open, welcoming layout. Its gardens are arranged across terraces with distinct themes. The ornamental garden showcases geometric patterns like the one pictured here. The water garden offers a serene retreat, and the vegetable garden turns everyday crops into artistic displays.Desktop Version
International Jazz Day
International Jazz Day
It"s time to jazz up—literally. From the smoky clubs of New Orleans to the bustling streets of Tokyo, jazz has crossed borders, blended cultures, and turned improvisation into an art form. Every April 30, International Jazz Day—established by UNESCO in 2011—celebrates this genre"s role in promoting peace, dialogue, and unity. This music form emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in New Orleans, a city alive with musical traditions from Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean. Rooted in blues and ragtime, jazz quickly evolved, with pioneers like Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald giving it a voice. What started as an American sound soon found a global audience. Swing and bebop took over dance halls, Latin jazz brought a new rhythm, and cool jazz mellowed the mood.Desktop Version
Lei Day in Hawaii
Lei Day in Hawaii
Today, while the world celebrates May Day with parades and protests, Hawaii takes a more fragrant approach—by draping itself in flowers. On May 1, Hawaii celebrates Lei Day, a tradition that honors culture, craftsmanship, and the ever-present aloha spirit, described as "the coordination of mind and heart within each person." Since 1928, this Hawaiian tradition has been in full bloom, with leis—or garlands made of flowers, leaves, or shells—serving as symbols of connection. The idea for Lei Day came from poet Don Blanding, who suggested a holiday dedicated to Hawaii"s iconic floral garlands. Local writer Grace Tower Warren gave it its slogan, "May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii," and the tradition quickly took root.Desktop Version
Striated heron on a Victoria water lily, Pantanal, Brazil
Striated heron on a Victoria water lily, Pantanal, Brazil
In the lush Pantanal wetlands of Brazil, a striated heron perches on a Victoria water lily. This water bird, also known as the mangrove heron, is about 16 inches tall. It is a master of patience, waiting to ambush its prey. It uses clever tactics, such as dropping feathers or insects to lure fish. Common in the wetlands of South America, the striated heron is also found in North America, Australia, Africa, Asia, New Guinea, and the Pacific islands.Desktop Version
Happy International Astronomy Day!
Happy International Astronomy Day!
Ever wondered what Saturn"s rings look like through a telescope? Or how astronomers spot distant galaxies? International Astronomy Day is the perfect time to find out. This annual event, first launched in 1973, is all about "Bringing Astronomy to the People"—the official theme of Astronomy Day. From local parks to astronomy clubs, museums, and observatories, visitors can enjoy activities like telescope viewings, space talks, and even moon gravity simulators.Desktop Version
Star Wars Day
Star Wars Day
On May 4, "Star Wars" fans celebrate Star Wars Day, a tribute to the beloved franchise created by George Lucas. The film series consists of nine movies, collectively referred to as the "Skywalker Saga." One of the memorable filming locations is Plaza de España in Seville, Spain, as seen in today"s image. This beautiful square, with its semi-elliptical shape and stunning architecture, was used as the city of Theed on the planet Naboo. The scene where Senator Amidala arrives in Naboo, featuring Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen, was filmed here. Plaza de España"s unique design, with its central building, towers, and fountain, adds a touch of magic to the Star Wars universe. This historic square, designed by Aníbal González, was originally built for the Ibero-American Exposition in 1929.Desktop Version
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo, or the Fifth of May, marks the Mexican army"s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. While it is only celebrated sporadically in Mexico, it has become a vibrant celebration of Mexican culture and heritage in the US, especially in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston. This holiday is often mistaken for Mexican Independence Day, but that falls on September 16. Instead, Cinco de Mayo honors Mexico"s fight against foreign rule and symbolizes resilience and unity. The battle itself was brief, lasting from daybreak to early evening, but the Mexican army, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, managed to defeat a much larger and better-equipped French force. Today, Cinco de Mayo festivities feature parades, mariachi music, folk dancing, and delicious foods like tacos and mole poblano. Whether you"re joining a festival or just enjoying a plate of Mexican cuisine, it"s a great day to appreciate Mexico"s rich history and traditions. Viva Mexico!Desktop Version
An ultralight aircraft flying over the sands of Namibia
An ultralight aircraft flying over the sands of Namibia
Imagine soaring through the skies in an ultralight aircraft, the wind rushing past as you take in the picturesque views. Below, the world"s oldest desert, the Namib, stretches endlessly, shaped by winds over 55 million years. This is Namibia—a surreal landscape of towering dunes, dry riverbeds, and shifting sands.Desktop Version
Dunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Dunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
If Dunluce Castle, pictured here, feels like something straight out of "Game of Thrones," that"s because it is the real-life inspiration for Pyke, the seat of House Greyjoy. Built in the 13th century, this castle in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, was once a stronghold of the MacDonnells of Antrim, a branch of the Clan MacDonnell that played a key role in Irish politics from the 15th to the 17th century. The family"s fortunes declined after the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, and with little money for upkeep, the castle gradually fell into ruin.Desktop Version
World Donkey Day
World Donkey Day
On May 8 each year, donkeys get their moment in the sun—though they"d probably prefer the shade. World Donkey Day, established by Dr. Abdul Raziq Kakar, a livestock expert from Pakistan, is all about celebrating these hardworking animals. Donkeys have a reputation for being stubborn, but that"s just a misunderstanding. They"re actually cautious thinkers. Unlike horses, which might bolt at danger, donkeys take a moment to assess the situation before reacting. From ancient trade routes to modern farms, donkeys have been essential to transportation and agriculture. In many parts of the world, they"re still the backbone of rural economies, carrying supplies across difficult terrain where vehicles can"t go. Despite their vital role, donkeys face serious challenges. Many endure overwork, poor treatment, and abandonment.Desktop Version
International Chameleon Day
International Chameleon Day
One moment they"re blending in, the next they"re flaunting a new shade—chameleons really know how to color the world. But every May 9, these masters of disguise can"t hide from the spotlight. International Chameleon Day celebrates their color-shifting skills, zippy tongues, and wild adaptations. Chameleons change colors to help regulate their body temperature, attract mates, and communicate with others. Specialized skin cells, including iridophores, reflect light to create dazzling displays. Some species turn bright to signal aggression, while others adopt subdued tones to avoid attention.Desktop Version
Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota
Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota
A grand and gilded sight—the heart of the Minnesota State Capitol is waiting to be explored. Home to the Minnesota Senate, the House of Representatives, the governor"s office, and the attorney general"s office, this building also houses a chamber for the Minnesota Supreme Court. Designed in the Beaux-Arts and American Renaissance styles, the Capitol integrates modern materials like iron, glass, and steel. The term "Beaux-Arts" was not used when the Capitol was built, but the style gained popularity, partly due to the architecture showcased at the 1893 Chicago World"s Columbian Exposition. Architect Cass Gilbert"s design features a remarkable dome, which is inspired by St. Peter"s Basilica in the Vatican City. Featured in today"s image, it is the second-largest self-supported marble dome in the world.Desktop Version