Today"s image features one of the simplest yet most essential inventions in human history: the umbrella, or parasol. Over 4,000 years ago, in ancient Egypt, Assyria and China, these foldable canopies were first used to shield people from the sun. It wasn"t until the 17th century that the umbrella, as we know it today, gained popularity in Europe, initially as a luxury item primarily for women. Fast-forward a few centuries and these weather shields have become a staple in pop culture, too. Remember Mary Poppins with her iconic umbrella that helped her fly, or Rihanna"s hit song "Umbrella"?
Art Installation of umbrellas, London, England
Today in History
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Old City of Dubrovnik in Dalmatia, Croatia
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Wadden Sea coast, Friesland, Netherlands
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Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, Canada
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Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
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Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italy
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Horse Head Rock, New South Wales, Australia
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Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Australia
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Pegadung Rock, Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
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Green-crowned brilliant
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Three Natural Bridges, Wulong National Park, China
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Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy
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Seceda, Dolomites, South Tyrol, Italy
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Moritzburg Castle, Saxony, Germany
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Dusky eagle-owls, Pakistan
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Magellanic penguins, Volunteer Point, Falkland Islands
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St. Michaels Church Tower on Glastonbury Tor, Glastonbury, Somerset, England
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Library of Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
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The Gothic Gate in the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks, Czechia
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Huntington Beach Pier, California, USA
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Château de Chambord, France
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Poinsettias
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A great egret in the Pantanal
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Yosemite National Park, California, USA
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Amethyst laccaria mushrooms, Seabeck, Washington, United States
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Saint-Pierre-Quiberon, France
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Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, New Mexico
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Giant sequoias, Sequoia National Park, California, USA
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Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, USA
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Toledo, Spain
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Banggai cardinalfish
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