National Geographic | National Geographic

National Geographic

SHE FOUGHT THE NAZIS
HER OWN WAY

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we celebrate women spies who helped defeat the Nazis, explore a rarely visited Alaskan reserve, question why SeaWorld Orlando is still operating ... and learn more about the 5,000-year-old murdered ice man.

Josephine Baker

PHOTOGRAPH BY POPPERFOTO/GETTY

Born in St. Louis, Josephine Baker fled racial violence at home to become a sensation in Paris.

But there is another reason why this singer, dancer, and actress (above) became in 2021 the first Black woman to be inducted into the French Pantheon.

At great risk, she spied against the Nazis in World War II. History is finally recognizing the dangerous efforts of Baker and other women spies to help forge the Allied victory over Hitler and Japan.

WHAT DID SHE DO?

Unlock this article with Nat Geo Premium! Get access now to exclusive stories, plus a century of archives, photos, and videos. See subscription options starting at just $19/yr.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

Ötiz the Iceman

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT CLARK, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Ötzi the Iceman: What we know 3 decades after the 5,000-year-old man’s discovery (a reconstruction, above)

These books could kill you

Raging river and frosty tips reveal watery history on Mars

Is America’s first wilderness area still wild at heart?

Glaciers, volcanoes, forested coasts—here‘s how to explore this rarely visited Alaskan reserve

These ancient Greek weapons were quite literally toxic

This secret city is more than Indiana Jones

He may have found the key to the origins of life. So why have so few heard of him?

Are dust storms getting worse? Here’s why they’re so destructive.

‘1619 Project’ offers warts and all view of U.S. history Watch the broadcast premiere tonight

PHOTO OF THE DAY

a sea otter pup is fed

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHARLIE HAMILTON JAMES

Happy World Otter Day: Sea otters hold each other’s hands. They swim on their backs. They’re brown and fuzzy and use tools to open their food. And they nearly went extinct in the early 1900s. Now they’re back and abundant—but not everyone is happy about it. (Above, a human feeds a rescued sea otter pup, photographed by Nat Geo Explorer Charlie Hamilton James.)

Related: The surprising way sea otters enhance ecosystems, and more scientific breakthroughs

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

a dolphin at SeaWorld performs

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN GREIM, LIGHTROCKET/GETTY IMAGES

What’s happening to Rascal? Rascal, a 25-year-old dolphin at SeaWorld Florida, was prescribed pain medication. “Nearly a third of his body was covered in both superficial scrapes and deeper cuts,” our investigative Wildlife Watch unit reports. “Scar tissue indicated these attacks had been going on for a while.” The USDA requested more information, but SeaWorld failed to hand over the records. Still, the USDA reissued SeaWorld’s animal exhibitor license—“a blatant violation” of the law. (Above, a dolphin—not Rascal—performs at SeaWorld.)

Related: This anti-terrorism agency is now tackling wildlife crime

WHAT’S GOING ON?

LAST GLIMPSE

a breakfast

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHARLIE HAMILTON JAMES, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Serious health consequences: The high-fat, low-carb keto diet sounds enticing: eat all-you-can cheese, ribeyes, bacon... and lose weight? But according to a new report, the American Heart Association says this way of eating is not good for you. (Above, a breakfast with high-fat foods.)

Today’s soundtrack: Become, Beach House

This newsletter has been curated and edited by Jen Tse, Hannah Farrow, and David Beard. Want to say hello? We'd love to hear from you: [email protected]. Thanks for reading!

Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply.

This email was sent to: [email protected]. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored.

This email contains an advertisement from:
National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036

Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences.

Manage all email preferences with the Walt Disney Family of Companies.

© 2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.