International Day of Light May 16, 2024

Today is the International Day of Light! Held on May 16, the day marks the anniversary of invention of the laser by the American physicist and engineer Theodore Maiman in 1960. This pioneering creation epitomises how innovation can revolutionise society, impacting fields from communications to healthcare. The scope of the celebration extends beyond lasers, embracing light"s presence in every aspect of human existence, from art and culture to science and technology.

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Today in History

Serene waters on a trembling earth
Owl be seeing you ... somewhere!
May 16, 2025Endangered Species Day

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Feb. 16, 2026Banff, Alberta
Mar. 9, 2026Grey seal sleeping on the beach, Orkney Islands, Scotland
Protecting the gentle giants
Keyholes to the kingdom
Nov. 14, 2025Manatee
The largest gypsum dune field
Jun. 23, 2025Elbe river in Dresden, Saxony, Germany
Jun. 29, 2025International Day of the Tropics
May 29, 2024World Otter Day
Aug. 2, 2025Petroglyphs near Fruita in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, United States
Festive foliage in the garden
Nov. 17, 2024Red deer stag in Glen Affric, Scotland
Dec. 25, 2024Merry Christmas!
Mar. 8, 2024International Womens Day
Jan. 23, 2026Þorrablót, Icelandic midwinter festival
Apr. 9, 2024World Ski and Snowboard Festival
Aug. 27, 2024Young black caiman, Tambopata National Reserve, Peru
Jan. 30, 2026Winterlude begins
Dad on duty
Mar. 25, 2025Tolkien Reading Day
Where fire and water meet
So close, yet so far
Dec. 9, 2023Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia, Argentina
Family on parade
Jan. 23, 2024Maldives
Oct. 25, 2023Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
Feb. 4, 2026Red kite in snow
Feb. 26, 2025Castle Stalker, Argyll, Scotland
Do pandas enjoy winter?
Mar. 12, 2024Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA