Photo of the Day
Wright brothers flying the first powered aircraft
December 17, 2020
First Flight
The Wright brothers made the first powered flight on this day in 1903. Orville mans the plane, lying on his stomach to reduce wind resistance, while Wilbur runs alongside. The flight lasted 12 seconds and covered about 120 feet.
Go Further
Animals
- A year into the pandemic, Nat Geo photographers turn their lenses on petsA year into the pandemic, Nat Geo photographers turn their lenses on pets
- The world’s oldest known wild bird just turned 70—why she’s so specialThe world’s oldest known wild bird just turned 70—why she’s so special
- What the mink COVID-19 outbreaks taught us about pandemicsWhat the mink COVID-19 outbreaks taught us about pandemics
- Yellow penguin spotted in Antarctica—here's why it's so rareYellow penguin spotted in Antarctica—here's why it's so rare
- A lemur died from tuberculosis—a likely victim of the illegal pet tradeA lemur died from tuberculosis—a likely victim of the illegal pet trade
- Nearly 5,000 sea turtles rescued from freezing waters on Texas islandNearly 5,000 sea turtles rescued from freezing waters on Texas island
- Selfie-taking tourists risk giving wild gorillas COVID-19, other diseasesSelfie-taking tourists risk giving wild gorillas COVID-19, other diseases
- Monkeys still forced to pick coconuts in Thailand despite controversyMonkeys still forced to pick coconuts in Thailand despite controversy
- A black-footed ferret has been cloned, a first for a U.S. endangered speciesA black-footed ferret has been cloned, a first for a U.S. endangered species
- Grizzlies are coming back. But can we make room for them?Grizzlies are coming back. But can we make room for them?
- The world’s biggest owl is endangered—but it’s not too late to save itThe world’s biggest owl is endangered—but it’s not too late to save it
Environment
- Rivers and lakes are the most degraded ecosystems in the world. Can we save them?Rivers and lakes are the most degraded ecosystems in the world. Can we save them?
- Solar panels and batteries on your home could help prevent the next grid disasterSolar panels and batteries on your home could help prevent the next grid disaster
- The origins of environmental justice—and why it’s finally getting the attention it deservesThe origins of environmental justice—and why it’s finally getting the attention it deserves
- The unintended environmental benefit of Cuba's isolationThe unintended environmental benefit of Cuba's isolation
- Same force behind Texas deep freeze could drive prolonged heat wavesSame force behind Texas deep freeze could drive prolonged heat waves
- After you get a COVID-19 vaccine, what can you do safely?After you get a COVID-19 vaccine, what can you do safely?
- This in-demand plant is evolving to hide from its predator—humansThis in-demand plant is evolving to hide from its predator—humans
- These widely used insecticides may be a threat to mammals tooThese widely used insecticides may be a threat to mammals too
- Oil drilling on sensitive New Mexico public lands puts drinking water, rare caves at riskOil drilling on sensitive New Mexico public lands puts drinking water, rare caves at risk
- The world’s wetlands are slipping away. This vibrant sanctuary underscores the stakes.The world’s wetlands are slipping away. This vibrant sanctuary underscores the stakes.
- This single number could reshape our climate futureThis single number could reshape our climate future
History & Culture
- Buried for 4,000 years, this ancient culture could expand the 'Cradle of Civilization'Buried for 4,000 years, this ancient culture could expand the 'Cradle of Civilization'
- The untold story of the world’s fiercest tank battleThe untold story of the world’s fiercest tank battle
- Oldest dog remains in Americas discovered in AlaskaOldest dog remains in Americas discovered in Alaska
- Text messages capture heartbreaking goodbyes of COVID-19 victimsText messages capture heartbreaking goodbyes of COVID-19 victims
- How do we know what ancient Greek warriors wore for battle? It's in 'The Iliad.'How do we know what ancient Greek warriors wore for battle? It's in 'The Iliad.'
- Sentenced to death, but innocent: These are stories of justice gone wrong.Sentenced to death, but innocent: These are stories of justice gone wrong.
- 3-ton parts of Stonehenge may have been carried from earlier monuments3-ton parts of Stonehenge may have been carried from earlier monuments
- How ancient astronomy mixed science with mythologyHow ancient astronomy mixed science with mythology
- This ivory relic reveals the colonial power dynamic between Benin and PortugalThis ivory relic reveals the colonial power dynamic between Benin and Portugal
- Reconstruction offered a glimpse of equality for Black Americans. Why did it fail?Reconstruction offered a glimpse of equality for Black Americans. Why did it fail?
Science
- FDA authorizes Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency useFDA authorizes Johnson & Johnson vaccine for emergency use
- The priceless primate fossils found in a garbage dumpThe priceless primate fossils found in a garbage dump
- The U.S. may soon have a third vaccine. Here's how it worksThe U.S. may soon have a third vaccine. Here's how it works
- New drugs identified as possible tools to fight COVID-19New drugs identified as possible tools to fight COVID-19
- Watch the first-ever video of a spacecraft landing on MarsWatch the first-ever video of a spacecraft landing on Mars
- The eccentric scientist behind the ‘gold standard’ COVID-19 testThe eccentric scientist behind the ‘gold standard’ COVID-19 test
- Success! NASA’s Perseverance rover has just landed on Mars
- Science
- Mars
Success! NASA’s Perseverance rover has just landed on Mars - Watch as NASA attempts a daring Mars rover landing
- Science
- Mars
Watch as NASA attempts a daring Mars rover landing
Travel
- Playing it cool: these artists make music with icePlaying it cool: these artists make music with ice
- These 9 memorials trace the global impact of slaveryThese 9 memorials trace the global impact of slavery
- America’s newest national park is a haven for hiking, climbing, and raftingAmerica’s newest national park is a haven for hiking, climbing, and rafting
- From ‘Herbie the Love Bug’ to punch buggy, the Beetle remains iconic in MexicoFrom ‘Herbie the Love Bug’ to punch buggy, the Beetle remains iconic in Mexico
- ‘It really is like flying.’ Explore wild skating on nature’s ice‘It really is like flying.’ Explore wild skating on nature’s ice
- The legendary community that fought for its freedom in JamaicaThe legendary community that fought for its freedom in Jamaica
- Why this salty Massachusetts coastal town hooks artistsWhy this salty Massachusetts coastal town hooks artists
- Families are leading a new wave for Black travelersFamilies are leading a new wave for Black travelers
- Winter is prime time for watching bald eagles—here’s howWinter is prime time for watching bald eagles—here’s how
- As Lunar New Year approaches, many Asians worry about future journeysAs Lunar New Year approaches, many Asians worry about future journeys
- Want dreamy winter photos? Take to the air with a droneWant dreamy winter photos? Take to the air with a drone
- These World’s Fair sites reveal a history of segregationThese World’s Fair sites reveal a history of segregation
