On this day: The Main Branch of the NY Public Library Opened

On May 23, 1911, the imposing Main Branch of the New York Public Library was opened to the public, with more than a million volumes filling the 75 miles of shelving. In addition to being one of the world's foremost…

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Friday, 23rd May 2014

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

This weekend will see the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500, modestly called The Greatest Spectacle in Racing. The contest takes place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which was visited by the Street View car a couple of years ago.…

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Thursday, 22nd May 2014

On this day: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was Born

On May 22, 1859, the author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh. 221B Baker Street is, of course, the residence of his most famous character Sherlock Homes. The address didn't actually exist until the street was extended in…

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Thursday, 22nd May 2014

On this day: Charles Lindbergh Completed His Trans-Atlantic Flight

On May 21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh landed at Le Bourget Field in Paris, completing the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic and winning the $25,000 Orteig prize. Although six aviators had previously died trying to win the prize, Lindbergh…

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Wednesday, 21st May 2014

On this day: York Minster was Damaged by Fire

On May 20, 1840, an accidental fire damaged a large part of York Minster. Just one of a number of fires which have blighted the building over the centuries, this one in particular led the Church into serious debt and…

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Tuesday, 20th May 2014

On this day: The Celsius Thermometer was Invented

On May 19, 1743, the first Celsius mercury thermometer design was published by Jean-Pierre Christin. Only a handful of countries still doggedly hold on to the Fahrenheit scale, including the US where the World's Tallest Thermometer is found in Baker,…

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Monday, 19th May 2014

Welcome to Google Sightseeing!

Google Sightseeing takes you on a tour of the world as seen from satellite or street views using Google Maps. Our team of authors present weird and wonderful sights as suggested by readers.

Like this site? We published a photo book of the best entries, you should buy a copy.