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Big Bend National Park anniversary
Big Bend National Park anniversary
Ready to channel your inner nature enthusiast? Let"s explore Big Bend National Park in West Texas, which is celebrating its 80th birthday today. This park is the largest protected area in the Chihuahuan Desert, covering over 1,250 square miles. The Big Bend State Park was established on June 12, 1944, when the state of Texas transferred this land to the federal government.Desktop Version
International Rock Day
International Rock Day
Are you ready to make some noise? Wait, not that sort of rock. Today, we"re all about granite, limestone, and slate. There are three types of rock: igneous rocks formed from magma and lava; sedimentary rocks made from a mixture of particles like sand and mud; and metamorphic rocks that are the result of heat and pressure on other kinds of rock.Desktop Version
Black History Month
Black History Month
As we celebrate Black History Month, we"re taking a moment to highlight an institution in the world of dance—the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. Founded by the visionary choreographer Alvin Ailey in 1958, it fuses elements of modern dance, ballet, jazz, and theater. The company"s performances demonstrate the importance of artistic expression in preserving and celebrating Black culture in America. Congress described it as a "vital American cultural ambassador to the world" in 2008.Desktop Version
The citadel in Bonifacio, Southern Corsica, France
The citadel in Bonifacio, Southern Corsica, France
Set at Corsica"s southern edge, Bonifacio looks out across a narrow strait to Sardinia, its limestone cliffs towering above the waves. Bonifacio didn"t begin as a picturesque tourist destination—it was originally established as a coastal fortification and has spent centuries guarding one of the Mediterranean"s busiest sea lanes. Established in 828 CE by Boniface II of Tuscany, the commune gradually became a meeting point for traders, soldiers, and sailors—each group contributing to the evolution of the town"s structure. Bonifacio is divided into two sections, with the "vieille ville" (old town)—also known as "la Haute Ville" (the Upper City)—standing on a high cliff within the original citadel walls. Below, the marine area lines the narrow inlet with harbors, waterfront homes, and a growing valley community.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
Fibonacci Day
Fibonacci Day
On Fibonacci Day, mathematicians and scientists honor one of their own: Leonardo Bonacci, better known as Fibonacci. The medieval mathematician popularized the Hindu-Arabic numeral system, with its use of zero, decimal points, and 10 numbers instead of the ponderous Roman numeral system. He"s most famous, however, for his sequence of numbers: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8... By adding the first two numbers, you arrive at the third, and adding the previous two numbers, you arrive at the next number, and so on. Disregarding the zero, the first four numbers correspond to today"s date, 11/23.Desktop Version
Craters of the Moon centennial
Craters of the Moon centennial
Buckle up, Earthlings, as you venture into an extraterrestrial realm right here on our planet! Surrounded by the rugged landscape of Idaho, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve was born of the volcanic forces that shaped the region thousands of years ago. Visitors are greeted by vast lava fields, cinder cones, and spatter cones, spread across almost 54,000 acres. The Apollo 14 astronauts trained here, gaining insight into lunar conditions by exploring the volcanic geology of this surreal landscape.Desktop Version
Royal Alcázar of Seville, Spain
Royal Alcázar of Seville, Spain
Today we"re stepping into the heart of the historic empire of Islamic Spain. The Royal Alcázar of Seville, in the southern region of Andalusia, stands on the site of a 10th-century citadel, which was expanded over the following 200 years. When Christian forces captured the city in 1248, this historic palace was almost totally rebuilt in the Mudejar style, which takes inspiration from the intricate patterns and decorative motifs found in Islamic architecture. Within the Alcázar, there are several courtyards lined with delicately carved columns. One of these is the Patio de las Doncellas, or Courtyard of the Maidens, pictured here today.Desktop Version
Chestnut-headed bee-eaters, Bardia National Park, Nepal
Chestnut-headed bee-eaters, Bardia National Park, Nepal
It"s not just a name. Chestnut-headed bee-eaters spend their days swooping after stinging insects. As well as bees, they also feast on wasps, hornets, and other bugs. The birds in today"s image are in Bardia National Park in Nepal, but they"re found across many other South Asian countries, from India and Bangladesh to Sri Lanka and Thailand. They catch their prey in mid-flight, returning to a perch where they beat insects to stun them and remove the stinger, which makes them safe to eat. These birds are designed to hunt: Their dazzling green plumage helps camouflage them in dappled jungle light, their curved beak is perfect for picking off insects with precision, and their eyes can move individually, which makes them all the better for spotting bees.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
World Migratory Bird Day
World Migratory Bird Day
Celebrate our traveling feathered friends on World Migratory Bird Day! Some migrations are truly astounding. The bar-tailed godwit embarks on a 6,835-mile nonstop flight across the Pacific from Alaska to New Zealand. The tiny ruby-throated hummingbird, weighing less than a nickel, makes the trip all the way across the Gulf of Mexico. Migratory birds navigate the globe, instinctively knowing when and where to move to exploit seasonal abundance. The Arctic tern outshines them all with its intercontinental journey from pole to pole, covering roughly 25,000 miles in its annual round trip.Desktop Version
Poinsettia Day
Poinsettia 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
World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day
Today, let"s embark on a watery adventure as we celebrate World Oceans Day. This day is about honoring and protecting the world"s oceans and serves as a reminder of the critical role oceans play in supporting life on Earth. These gargantuan water bodies, after all, teem with wonders, from the tiniest plankton to the grandest whales like the humpbacks we see here. The oceans also produce almost half of the oxygen on our planet thanks to the photosynthesis of plankton—tiny plants, algae, and bacteria. Moreover, they absorb a significant amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping mitigate the impacts of climate change caused by human activities.Desktop Version
Celebrating Pi Day
Celebrating Pi Day
Calculating the ratio of a circle"s circumference to its diameter is as easy as pi. Today is Pi Day, an event that celebrates this mathematical constant. This date was chosen because 3, 1, and 4 are the first three significant figures of pi (π) when it is written out. Pi is an irrational number, which means that it can"t be written as a fraction. When written out, its decimal representation goes on infinitely without repeating. The oldest attempts to calculate pi date back to ancient Babylon and Egypt, around 1900 BCE.Desktop Version
International Literacy Day
International Literacy Day
"Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope." These words by former secretary-general of the United Nations Kofi Annan capture the essence of International Literacy Day, celebrated every September 8. Established by UNESCO in 1966, this observance not only celebrates those who can read but also highlights the ongoing battle against illiteracy. With approximately 775 million people worldwide still lacking basic literacy, this day resonates powerfully within the hallowed walls of the Stockholm Public Library in Sweden, or "Stadsbiblioteket" as it is known to locals, featured in today"s image.Desktop Version
Summer solstice
Summer solstice
It"s that time of year again when the daylight stretches long into the evening hours. Today is the longest day of the year, known as the summer solstice, which happens when one of the Earth"s poles is most inclined toward the sun. Today"s image features the Kokino megalithic observatory, part of a wider archaeological site in North Macedonia. It is believed that it marked the position of the sun during summer and winter solstices, as well as the equinox, and consists of two platforms. A stone block on the upper platform of the observatory indicates the summer solstice sunrise direction when seen from a seat on the lower platform. This Bronze Age astronomical wonder sits more than 3,300 feet above sea level, on a hill overlooking the hamlet of Kokino.Desktop Version
Blue-throated toucanet, Los Quetzales National Park, Costa Rica
Blue-throated toucanet, Los Quetzales National Park, Costa Rica
Tucked away in the highlands of Costa Rica, Los Quetzales National Park offers a kaleidoscope of lush habitats, including one that"s home to the blue-throated toucanet. These non-migratory birds use their dexterous toes to navigate branches, while their distinctive bills deftly forage for fruits, insects, and small lizards.Desktop Version
Veterans Day
Veterans Day
Today we"re at the Washington Monument to pay tribute to those who have served in the US Armed Forces. Over 41 million Americans have been in our military since the US Army was established in 1775, and today, on Veterans Day, we salute their service. Veterans Day started as Armistice Day, a commemoration of the end of combat in World War 1. In 1954, it was renamed Veterans Day, expanding its scope to honor all people who have served. Over 6% of Americans, more than 16 million people, are veterans. Their service will be recognised today at the Veterans Day National Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, and in parades and other events across the country.Desktop Version
Nazca boobies, Wolf Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Nazca boobies, Wolf Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galápagos Islands in the eastern Pacific are a paradise for wildlife. Habitats range from arid regions to tropical rainforests. Because these islands are so isolated, many of the species that live here are not found anywhere else in the world. One species found in abundance is the Nazca booby, pictured here on Wolf Island. The name might raise a few eyebrows, but it actually comes from the Spanish word "bobo," meaning clown, because of the birds" clumsy demeanor when they"re walking.Desktop Version
Prasat Phanom Rung temple ruins, Thailand
Prasat Phanom Rung temple ruins, Thailand
Today, let us step into the Phanom Rung Historical Park in Buriram province, Thailand. Here, Khmer architecture and history come to life. Built between the 10th and 13th centuries, this remarkable site served as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva. It is on the rim of an extinct volcano, offering views of the surrounding paddy fields and the towering Dongrek Mountains of Cambodia in the distance.Desktop Version
International Sloth Day
International Sloth Day
The world"s slowest mammal takes the spotlight today on International Sloth Day. Celebrated on October 20, it highlights their lives, conservation efforts, and the threats they face, including shrinking habitats. There are six living sloth species, divided into two types: three-toed sloths and two-toed sloths.Desktop Version
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
Pollinator Week
Pollinator Week
Let"s celebrate the small heroes who help plants flourish! It"s Pollinator Week, celebrating the creatures which transport pollen to help plants reproduce. While some plants are self-pollinating, or pollinated by wind or water, the majority of them are fertilized with the help of bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, birds—like the green-crowned brilliant hummingbird in today"s image—and even bats. The non-profit organization Pollinator Partnership initiated Pollinator Week to raise awareness about the protection of these creatures. This celebration is now being joined by other programs and educational events around the country. Should we care? Absolutely! From fruits and veggies to nuts, chocolate, or sugarcane, there are plenty of ingredients in our diet that are brought to us by pollinators.Desktop Version
The Blue City of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
The Blue City of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Welcome to Jodhpur, a city in the Thar Desert in India, where it isn"t just the sky that"s blue—it"s the houses too! The buildings in Jodhpur"s old district are painted light blue, giving rise to its nickname: The Blue City. For more than five centuries, this city in the state of Rajasthan has been known for its thriving textile industry, fine furniture shops, cuisine, and bustling markets. Among its forts, palaces, mausoleums, gardens, and lakes, are the famous Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace. Come and explore the wonders of this blue city!Desktop Version
World Water Day
World Water Day
March 22 is World Water Day, a United Nations initiative highlighting the importance of fresh water and its conservation. This day raises awareness about the global water crisis and promotes actions to ensure clean water for all. Fresh water is vital—not just for drinking, but for ecosystems, agriculture, and cultural heritage.Desktop Version