Today we celebrate the island nation of Madagascar, located off the southeast coast of Africa, which became independent of France 60 years ago today, in 1960. Madagascar"s national tree is the stately baobab—impossibly tall and imposing, but a little silly at the same time. In fact, its nickname is the "upside-down tree," since it looks like it was planted with its roots in the air. Six of the world"s nine baobab species are native to Madagascar. The trees we"re looking at today are Grandidier"s baobabs, the largest of them all, lining the Avenue of the Baobabs near the western coast.
Beautiful baobabs
Today in History
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Anniversary of Pinnacles National Park, California
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Yosemite National Park anniversary
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In the Supertree Grove
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The monsoon arrives in the desert
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Birds of a feather
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A species no longer at risk
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Pegadung Rock, Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
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Clark Range, Yosemite National Park, California
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Wat Sri Sawai in Sukhothai Historical Park, Thailand
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Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California
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Fox kits
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International Museum Day
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National Bison Day
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National Take a Hike Day
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Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn, New York
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A peek at an explosive peak
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Womens History Month
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Noctilucent clouds
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Ceremony Hall at Sweden s Icehotel
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Short-beaked echidna, Adelaide Hills, Australia
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A legend and a legendary home
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Oh, to sleep under the northern lights
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Przewalskis horses
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Presidents Day
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Uredd Rest Area, Norway
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Rooftops in the walled city of Urbino, Italy
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Mysterious prairie mounds abound
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Mona Vale Rockpool, Sydney, Australia
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Do spirits haunt the Gardens of Versailles?
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National Hummingbird Day
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

