The Jeopardy host, dead at 80, was an advocate for geography education and hosted National Geographic’s signature education event for 25 years.

It occurs each September and marks the first day of fall. Find out the science behind the autumnal equinox and how it has been celebrated through the ages.

Big wildfires, like those tearing across California, can hurt some animals. Yet others escape and some species even thrive.

For centuries, humans struggled to sync civil, religious, and agricultural calendars with the solar year. Adding a ’leap year’ solved the problem though just for the next 3,300 years.

There’s more to the furry mammals than Groundhog Day.

Find out how astronomy and meteorology differ on the definition of winter, and how the solstice day is marked around the world.

From Darth Vader’s breathing to the dual sunsets of Tatooine, we take a look back at the real studies inspired by the Star Wars universe.

Get the facts about springing forward and falling back, a tradition that was established in the U.S. in 1918.

Here’s a look at the bonding that takes place between military dogs and their handlers.

Climbers reached the Matterhorn’s summit in 1865 then tragedy struck.

Find out what this lunar event really means, and why it’s actually impossible to see a black moon rising.

Sharks aren’t the mindless killers that we’ve made them out to be.

Encounters with the big fish are rare, but can be deadly. Here’s how to reduce your risk, and what you should keep in mind.

This film features over 2,000 flags, set in motion to Ludwig van Beethoven, centuries in the making.

It took a string of shark attacks in New Jersey more than a hundred years ago to make U.S. swimmers fear the ocean’s top predator.

Whatever you choose to call them, these monster storms are powerful natural events with the capacity to wreak incredible havoc.

Scientists probe the mysteries of violent twisters.

The remote Mariana Trench offers up yet another plastic bag during a recent deep submersible dive.

The Trump administration has promised vast changes to U.S. science and environmental policy and we’re tracking them here as they happen.

For all our advanced technology, nothing beats the ability of marine mammals to find things in the ocean.

One of the oldest annual showers on record, the Lyrids put on a show each spring.

As Earth Day turns 49, we take a look back at the biggest milestones in environmental protection.

From eggs to bunnies, there are almost as many ways to observe Easter as there are countries.

A tech-savvy art historian uses lasers to understand how medieval builders constructed their architectural masterpieces.

From a close-up of a spider to the first underwater color photos, these pioneering pictures capture the spirit of exploration.

Learn about these clever April Fools’ Day hoaxes and pranks, including the famous Swiss spaghetti harvest.

What creates these dramatic-sounding weather conditions?

Two ancient quarries some 180 miles from the famed prehistoric monument have been identified as the source for stones in the monument’s inner circle.

The humble Bramble Cay melomys has disappeared from its island in the Great Barrier Reef.

Santa Claus, Father Christmas, St. Nick no matter the name, everyone knows the story of this plump, jolly, bringer of gifts. Or do they?

The mortal remains of the 4th-century Greek bishop are likely scattered around the world as holy relics.

Billions of tons of plastic have been made over the past decades, and much of it is becoming trash and litter, finds the first analysis of the issue.

Versatile, pliable, durable, cheap to produce and ubiquitous. Plastic is all of that. It is also both a life-saving miracle product and the scourge of the Earth. Here are eight essential facts to keep in mind.

In 2016, our photographer visited the heavily guarded and completely empty parts of the 2,000-mile-long U.S.-Mexico border.

Launched in 1977, the twin probes will likely outlive the sun. Find out what star systems they’ll meet as they head deeper into the galaxy.

Neo-Nazis in the Netherlands have responded violently to calls to get rid of Santa’s blackface holiday assistant.

Santa’s got some competition: a terrifying Christmas devil named Krampus, which is catching on in pop culture worldwide.

There’s much more to America’s holiday bird than white and dark meat.

A new spacecraft that’s due to land soon on Mars will investigate why and how much the red planet rumbles.

The pilgrims stole from graves, the Wampanoag were devastated by disease, and the peace between them was political.

During World War I, the National Geographic Society began producing original maps that gave readers context for the events around the globe.

A pioneering lawsuit against the U.S. government has won the right to a trial, overcoming the Trump administration’s efforts to cancel it in court.

The practice wasn’t new in 1812. But a map in a newspaper gave it a name that stuck.

From the holiday’s Celtic history to this year’s top costumes, here’s what to know to have a smart and scary holiday.

With the museum’s support, scholars are racing to understand the disputed Biblical texts.

There are thousands of species that may not be around for long.

We’re definitely creeped out by this photo gallery.

The eerily gory waterfall is not in fact made of blood, and a new study shows just what gives it its unique color.

It’s no Halloween movie some parasites hijack their hosts’ brains to make them act in horrific ways.

From a deep-sea shark to a dancing moth, some wild animals have earned a spooky reputation.