It's Tomatina time! The annual food fight in Buñol, Spain, marks its 80th anniversary today. Thousands of people will gather in the town to squish and hurl overripe (inedible) tomatoes at each other for one hour, with many donning earplugs and swim goggles for protection. At the end, participants wash off in public showers and the streets are hosed down, often leaving the pavement cleaner than it was before, thanks to the citric acid content in tomatoes. See some footage from previous years.
Must Reads
Dig in to the wonderful mental health benefits of gardening
Somewhere Over DC: "Wizard of Oz" Artifacts Find a Home at the Library of Congress
MGM Studios/Courtesy of Getty Images
There are just a few months until Wicked: For Good hits theaters in November, so hopefully this story can hold fans of the franchise over until then. This week, the Library of Congress announced it has acquired rare music and lyric sketches from the 1939 Wizard of Oz film, including the only known lyric sketch of "Over the Rainbow." Written in pencil on yellow legal paper, the draft features an early version of lyricist E.Y. "Yip" Harburg's line that we all know and love: "Some day I'll wish upon a star + wake + find the darkness far behind me." (Fun fact: The song nearly got left on the cutting room floor during the production process, Nicholas Brown-Cáceres, the acting chief of the Library's Music Division, told NPR.) The acquisition also includes sketches and manuscripts of other famous songs from the film, such as "Off to See the Wizard" and "Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead," as well as memorabilia related to the film's production — each piece a peek at the world behind what is among the most timeless stories in American cinema. "For a long time this has been an important work for us to try to preserve," said Brown-Cáceres. "For the music division's collections to now have the opportunity to hold some of the documentation relating to the creation of the soundtrack is wonderful. We're excited that it will now be available as part of our nation's heritage for hundreds of years to come." Beginning Oct. 23, select items from the collection will be displayed alongside materials from Wicked in honor of the 125th anniversary of L. Frank Baum's novel The Wizard of Oz. In other words, it's a good time to slip on your ruby slippers and make your way to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Together With Babbel
Want to Learn a Language? Babbel's Labor Day Sale Is On
The best investments are the ones that stay with you — like learning a new language. In just 10 minutes a day, Babbel makes it simple to gain a skill that can help you connect more deeply when you travel, bond with loved ones in their native tongue, and keep your mind sharp. This Labor Day, Babbel is offering its best deal of the year: lifetime access to all 14 languages for just $199. One payment for a lifetime of growth, connection, and exploration. It's a small choice today that can lead to meaningful conversations for years to come.
Meet the Little Robots Speeding Up Solar Farm Construction
Civ Robotics
Wall-E, is that you? Not quite, it's actually CivDot: a little robot created by Civ Robotics that's revolutionizing the way solar farms are being built. The four-wheeled machine takes on labor-intensive tasks of preparing the land, enabling construction surveying to be done up to eight times faster than with conventional approaches, according to Interesting Engineering. But what really sets CivDot apart isn't just speed — it's precision. "Our secret sauce and our core technology is actually in the navigation and the geospatial — being able to literally mark coordinates within less than a quarter inch, which is very, very difficult in an uneven terrain, outdoor surfaces, and out in the desert," Tom Yeshurun, Civ Robotics CEO, told CNBC. By automating this groundwork, the robots accelerate project timelines andreduce the costs of solar farm construction, which typically requires extensive planning, surveying, and human power. Check out the robots in eco-action.
Humanity
Brightly Colored Sculptures Celebrate Mexican Heritage on US Tour
Alebrijes and Nahuales
A rainbow-colored rabbit, a winged cat-like figure, and a whimsical "happy alien" — these are just a few of the fantastical creatures brought to life by Indigenous artisans from Oaxaca. Part of a project called "Alebrijes and Nahuales," these sculptures reach up to 20 feet tall and can weigh over 1,200 pounds, blending woodcarving techniques with imaginative designs inspired by Mexican magical realism. "For us, it represents our spirit animal that protects us," Efrain Fuentes, a third-generation woodcarver, told PBS. Now embarking on a nationwide tour across the United States, the sculptures are serving as both a tribute to Mexico's rich cultural heritage and an invitation to foster connections beyond borders, one awe-inspiring work of art at a time. "Art is the beautiful face of humanity," said exhibit curator Carlomagno Pedro Martínez. "It is the universal message that we humans give, and this is where there is a fraternal bond between peoples." The eight-piece art installation is starting in Nevada and California this year, and will be moving farther east next year. See the tour locations.
In Other News
The world's first commercial carbon capture and storage facility began operating off Norway's coast (read more)
A college sophomore discovered new origami patterns that could unfold a new era in space engineering (read more)
Labor Day travel update: Here are this weekend's top travel destinations, per AAA (read more)
Rihanna is teaming up with the WNBA's New York Liberty, making Fenty the team's official beauty sponsor (read more)
This orange shark is a genetic anomaly in more ways than one — check out the extraordinary animal (read more)
Something We Love
Purely Elizabeth Cookie Granola I'm pretty picky about my granola, so when a friend recommended Purely Elizabeth's cookie granola line, I was hesitant to give it a try. But after only a few bites of the Double Chocolate, I was hooked — and now I enjoy it almost daily with Greek yogurt and berries. It's gluten-free, baked with coconut oil, non-GMO, contains no artificial flavors, and has only six grams of sugar per serving. Plus, who doesn't love eating cookie-like clusters for breakfast?
Some neighborhoods bond over block parties or potlucks — but one in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has connected over residents' shared love of a one-eyed flightless goose named Billy. "He was our mascot. I mean, everybody here knew Billy," said longtime resident Rachel Jackson. The beloved bird waddled through yards and sidewalks, stopping by homes for warm bread and, in return, serving as a bright light for the neighborhood. While Billy passed away last month, his spirit lives on — the community even honored him with a permanent memorial and a sunset toast, raising "Bill-ritas" in homage to their special friend.
Photo of the Day
John Miller/ Missouri Department of Conservation
Happy 41st birthday, Peanut! The red-eared slider turtle's unique shell shape may be cute, but unfortunately, it's the result of a plastic six-pack ring that got stuck around her shell when she was young. Thankfully, Peanut didn't let that stop her from growing and thriving — and she has since become a mascot for litter awareness. Her special day on Saturday was celebrated by the Missouri Department of Conservation with turtle treats like worms and crickets, card-making, and lessons in keeping nature litter-free.
Get up to 60% off Athleta Styles That Do Good
Athleta's Labor Day sale is happening now, with an extra 30% off already reduced styles through Sept. 1. As a certified B Corp, Athleta does more than design premium activewear; it also invests in women, sustainability, and community well-being. This is a chance to save big on purpose-driven pieces that look good, feel great, and give back.
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