The festival known as Ólavsøka spans several days, but officially July 29 is the big day of merrymaking in the Faroe Islands. What exactly are the Faroese people celebrating? Technically, they"re observing the death of Saint Olaf. The Norwegian King Olaf II is said to have died in battle on this day in 1030. A century later, he was sainted by the Catholic Church.
Góða ólavsøku, from the Faroes!
Today in History
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International Sloth Day
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Today is World Refugee Day
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Here’s why landmarks are going dark
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Stepping stones in Tollymore Forest Park, Northern Ireland
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Cloughoughter Castle, County Cavan, Ireland
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The old guard at Old San Juan
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A rest stop for the birds
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The long and wiggling path
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Big dreams require a big sleigh
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Where is this gorgeous peak?
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Drop in on International Surfing Day
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From pirate port to nature preserve
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Siblings Day
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The ruins of a Maya superpower
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A black heron canopy feeding in Botswana
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A young bull moose in Denali National Park, Alaska
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Muir Woods National Monument anniversary
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Happy 50th for the National Trails System!
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Nomads of the Gobi
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Darwin Day
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National Public Lands Day
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A tree of many memories
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Ruins of Inca temples and terraces on Huayna Picchu, Peru
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The birthplace of Cinco de Mayo
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Spring equinox
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National Panda Day
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Endangered Species Day
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Eurasian otter and pup, Estonia
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Navajo Bridge in Marble Canyon
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Nubble Island’s only industry
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

