World Heritage Sites
On this day: Cologne Cathedral Was Completed
Construction of Cologne Cathedral was completed on August 14, 1880 - finishing a process which started over 600 years earlier! It claims to have the largest Church façade in the world, and the largest free-swinging bell in the world -…
On this day: Construction Started on the Dome of Florence Basilica
On August 7, 1420, construction started on the dome of Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. Work on the structure had been going on under various architects for well over a century at this point, and it would…
On this day: The Cornerstone Was Laid For The Statue of Liberty
On August 5, 1884, the cornerstone was laid for the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty on Bledloe's Island, which was later renamed Liberty Island. While France was providing the statue, the US had to pay for its pedestal, though…
On this day: Independence Day
July 4th is Independence Day in the United States. It celebrates the 1776 adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress which took place at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Parades, barbecues and fireworks are among the most…
On this day: Mumtaz Mahal Died
On June 17, 1631, Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, died while giving birth. The magnificent white marble mausoleum he had built for her is arguably the world's most famous building - the Taj Mahal. The city…
On this day: The Rideau Canal Opened
On May 30, 1832, the Rideau Canal opened between Kingston and Ottawa, providing British forces with a safe supply route away from the US border. These days it is a summer boating attraction for locals and tourists, and designated a…
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