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Kochia, Hitachi, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan
Kochia, Hitachi, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan
This fiery tumbleweed is kochia, which transforms landscapes when it takes on hues of red, orange, and pink in the fall. In the spring and summer, this annual herb resembles a fluffy green ball. Native to parts of Europe and Asia, kochia, also known as "summer cypress," is now widespread throughout the world. But it has a special place in Japan"s Hitachi Seaside Park, seen in today"s image, where around 30,000–40,000 kochia bushes are planted each year. These ornamental plants create a surreal landscape for visitors to wander through and also hold significance in Japanese culture. Historically, they have been dried to create brooms. However, not all parts of the kochia are destined to sweep the Earth—some are used for food. The plant"s nuts, "tonburi," often called "field caviar," are a prized garnish.Desktop Version
Huntington Beach Pier, California, at sunset
Huntington Beach Pier, California, at sunset
In today"s image, we see the sun disappearing below the pier at Huntington Beach, California. First built in 1902, the pier was damaged by a storm and had to be rebuilt just nine years later. During World War II, a submarine lookout post was installed on the pier to help with the war effort. These days, it"s a popular spot for fishing and watching surfers ride the waves out in the Pacific Ocean.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
National Aviation Day
National Aviation Day
Established in 1939 to honor Orville Wright"s birthday, National Aviation Day kicks off a week-long celebration of America"s long history of flight. Pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright designed, built, and flew the world"s first engine-powered airplane near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in 1903. America"s love of flight, however, goes all the way back to 1793, when President George Washington watched a hot air balloon launch in Philadelphia.Desktop Version
Endangered Species Act
Endangered Species Act
Today is a big day for conservation—it"s the anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. Passed in the US in 1973, this law was a game-changer, ensuring that economic growth wouldn"t steamroll over species at risk of disappearing forever. For the first time, plants were given protection too, and the focus shifted from merely avoiding extinction to actively helping species recover to the point where they could thrive without protection.Desktop Version
Champaka Sarasi, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India
Champaka Sarasi, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India
From waterfalls to temples, Shivamogga, in the South Indian state of Karnataka, offers experiences waiting to be discovered. Steeped in timeless lore, the city is mentioned in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, epics composed as poems and set in the ancient Hindu kingdoms of India. The region"s name itself holds a spiritual significance, derived from the Sanskrit words "Shiva-Mukha," meaning the "face of Shiva," the Hindu god. It is home to several temples, including the Sharavati Temple, dedicated to Shiva, and a temple in the Kodachadri hills that offers vistas of the Western Ghats mountain range.Desktop Version
International Tea Day
International Tea Day
There"s nothing quite like a nice cup of tea. Whether you like Darjeeling, Earl Grey, oolong, matcha, or English breakfast, today"s the day to celebrate this beloved brew: May 21 is International Tea Day. People have been drinking tea for at least 5,000 years. The drink originated in China, but in the 16th and 17th centuries, it was introduced to Western merchants, who helped to spread it around the world. It is now the second-most consumed drink in the world after water.Desktop Version
The 80th anniversary of D-Day
The 80th anniversary of D-Day
Eighty years ago, on the beaches of Normandy, northern France, an event unfolded that would alter the course of history. The day was June 6, 1944, a date forever etched in time as D-Day. It marked the launch of Operation Overlord, the ambitious Allied invasion that became a turning point in World War II. The audacious assault by sea, air, and land involved nearly 160,000 troops.Desktop Version
Sunrise at Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Sunrise at Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Mind-blowing beauty is one reason people keep coming back to Wyoming and the Grand Teton National Park. Named "les trois tétons" by early French trappers, the park was created in 1929 by conservationists including John D. Rockefeller Jr. It is home to a virtually untouched ecosystem of plants and animals, such as grizzly bears, wolves, bison, moose, and bald eagles.Desktop Version
National Hummingbird Day
National Hummingbird Day
Every first Saturday in September, bird enthusiasts and nature lovers gather to celebrate National Hummingbird Day. This day is dedicated to appreciating these tiny, agile birds and their role as a pollinator in our ecosystem. Hummingbirds are known for their incredible speed; they can flap their wings up to 80 times per second, allowing them to hover in place and even fly backward. Emily Dickinson aptly describes their swift movement: "A Route of Evanescence / With a revolving Wheel—." Their high metabolism requires them to eat constantly, so they spend their days flitting from flower to flower, sipping nectar and catching insects. Fun fact: these birds can remember every flower they"ve visited and how long it will take a flower to refill with nectar.Desktop Version
Veterans Day
Veterans Day
On the National Mall in Washington, DC, just north of the Reflecting Pool, is a sculpture honoring the women who served during the Vietnam War. The military efforts of women, less visible than those of men, are commemorated by the Vietnam Women"s Memorial, featured today on Veterans Day. While Memorial Day honors those who died during military service, Veterans Day recognizes the service of all veterans, whether or not they served during a war. Veterans Day, a federal holiday, was originally known as Armistice Day and coincides with the anniversary of the end of World War I. For this reason, other countries also observe today as a holiday.Desktop Version
Celtic Colours International Festival, Canada
Celtic Colours International Festival, Canada
The Celtic Colours International Festival begins today in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. This festival celebrates the area"s inhabitants, including 19th-century settlers who came from Scotland and Ireland. Because of Cape Breton Island"s isolation and the lack of outside influences, the culture and traditions of these settlers remained particularly strong. Held when the island"s fall colors are most vibrant, the festival has blossomed into a nine-day extravaganza that coincides with the warm red, orange, and yellow autumn foliage.Desktop Version
World Environment Day
World Environment Day
Happy World Environment Day! First celebrated back in 1973, this UN event is now celebrated in more than 143 countries. This year"s theme focuses on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience.Desktop Version
International Literacy Day
International Literacy Day
Jane Austen, author of "Pride and Prejudice," is one of the best-known writers in English literature, so it"s not a surprise that there are multiple festivals honoring her legacy. The largest is held here, in the English city of Bath, where Austen lived from 1801 to 1806. On September 8, International Literacy Day, the city begins its annual 10-day Jane Austen Festival with hundreds of Austen fans walking the streets dressed in costumes from Britain"s Regency era, in the early 19th century.Desktop Version
Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany
Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany
Today, we"re raising a stein and saying Prost! Step into Munich, capital of the German state of Bavaria, for a celebration like no other. Oktoberfest, first held here in 1810, is a vibrant blend of Bavarian culture, tradition, and, of course, beer.Desktop Version
World Architecture Day
World Architecture Day
Did you know that the name Louis Vuitton is linked with more than just fashion? The eye-catching structure in today"s image is the Louis Vuitton Foundation, an art museum and cultural center in Paris, France. The extravagant building opened in 2014, the result of a collaboration between the luxury goods company"s CEO, Bernard Arnault, and renowned architect Frank Gehry. Gehry drew inspiration from iconic Parisian buildings, including the glass-roofed 19th-century Grand Palais exhibition hall, and applied concepts from 19th-century English landscape gardens.Desktop Version
Daylight saving time
Daylight saving time
Time is of the essence today: The second Sunday of March marks the start of daylight saving time. At 2 AM the clocks sprang forward one hour, meaning there will be an extra hour of daylight this evening. While Benjamin Franklin is often credited with inventing daylight saving, the first real proposal for changing the clocks came in 1895 from New Zealand entomologist George Hudson, who valued having more daylight so he could collect insects after work.Desktop Version
Red deer stag in Glen Affric, Scottish Highlands
Red deer stag in Glen Affric, Scottish Highlands
Striking appearance, strong presence, and impressive antlers—meet the red deer, photographed in the ancient forests of Glen Affric, one of Scotland"s most beautiful valleys. Found across Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa, this species is Britain"s largest land mammal and an integral part of the Caledonian pinewoods, Scotland"s coniferous forests. From featuring in cave art found throughout Europe to medieval hunting traditions, red deer have always held a special place in the human imagination. In many parts of the world, their image is synonymous with the wild, free spirit of nature. Glen Affric, with its lochs, moorlands, and mountains, provides the perfect habitat for these magnificent creatures. This national nature reserve is also popular with hikers, climbers, and nature enthusiasts.Desktop Version
Museum Mile Festival
Museum Mile Festival
New York City"s Metropolitan Museum of Art, known informally as the Met, is one of the world"s preeminent museums. The Met anchors Museum Mile, a stretch of Fifth Avenue on Manhattan"s Upper East Side that is home to eight museums. Of these, the Met is the biggest, followed by the Guggenheim. All reside within 22 blocks of one another. Today, the city celebrates these curatorial treasures with the Museum Mile Festival, as museums extend their hours and offer free admission to all visitors. Billed as a mile-long celebration of art and culture, the festival also includes outdoor performances along Fifth Avenue.Desktop Version
National Merry-Go-Round Day
National Merry-Go-Round Day
Today we"re celebrating a necessary staple of fairs, carnivals, and boardwalks: the merry-go-round. You may know it as a carousel, like the Golden Gallopers Carousel at the seaside in Brighton, England, seen in today"s photo. The word "carousel" is possibly derived from the Spanish "carosella," meaning "little war." Carousels have a history that goes back centuries, with roots in medieval jousting competitions. As the war game grew in popularity, commoners without horses wanted to participate, and carousels with wooden horses soon appeared at fairgrounds. The popularity of carousels led to many advancements over the years, including the up and down galloping menagerie of animals real and imagined, and the instantly recognizable music that became widespread after 1803.Desktop Version
Sea Otter Awareness Week
Sea Otter Awareness Week
It"s hard not to smile when you spot a sea otter. Their whiskery faces, busy paws, and thick fur give the impression of a stuffed animal that has come to life and taken to the ocean. The heaviest members of the weasel family, sea otters aren"t just cute. They also play a vital role in the underwater kelp forest ecosystem, keeping the destructive sea urchin population in check—by eating them.Desktop Version
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter! Do you like your eggs boiled or painted? The practice of painting chicken eggs, which originates from Persian traditions, was adopted by Christians in the early 17th century to commemorate this holiday, also called Pascha. Hungarian artist, Tünde Csuhaj—living and working in the small city of southern Hungary, Szekszárd—has mastered the craft. The internationally recognized egg-painter developed her own etching technique to create lace-like patterns. The meticulous designs appear on all sorts of eggs, including chicken, goose, swan, and even emu or ostrich eggs. The intricate motifs of incredible craftsmanship are often shown at national and international fairs and exhibitions. Are you inspired? Grab a paintbrush and test your egg-painting skills.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
Madame Sherri Forest, New Hampshire
Madame Sherri Forest, New Hampshire
Madame Sherri Forest in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, is a captivating destination steeped in history and natural beauty. It was once the site of an extravagant house built in the 1930s by Madame Antoinette Sherri, a flamboyant 1920s costume designer known for her lavish parties. Madame Sherri"s dramatic arrivals in town, often in a chauffeur-driven Packard, draped in furs, became the talk of the locals. As her fortune declined, her "castle" fell into disrepair and was vandalized. In 1959, she returned to find her property in ruins and never came back. A fire destroyed the house in 1963, leaving behind only the stone foundation, an iconic staircase, and a large fireplace leading to a lone chimney.Desktop Version
Endangered Species Day
Endangered Species Day
Sumatran rhinos like this one were once plentiful across the forests and swamps of Southeast Asia. But there are thought to be fewer than 80 alive today, surviving only on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Logging and hunting have led to their inclusion on the ‘red list’ of more than 42,100 critically endangered species. This one is pictured in Way Kambas National Park, Sumatra, where a rhino sanctuary is home to a tiny population and is the center of a breeding and research program.Desktop Version