George Washington Slept Here

Our first president was born on February 22, 1732 on his father's Virginia plantation, which you can visit today. Other interesting travel spots include Washington's boyhood home (sorry, no cherry tree stumps), the former site of America's first "White House" (near Independence Hall in Philadelphia), America's oldest existing presidential residence, and, of course, Mt. Vernon (left), where George and Martha lived, died, and were buried. We also show you the very spot on New York's Wall Street where Washington took the first oath of office (and where the Bill of Rights was adopted). For a complete list of travel spots related to George Washington, click here.

"Australia" Natural Backdrops

Many of the beautiful, sweeping scenes in the 2008 film Australia, which stars native Aussies Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, were filmed at Drysdale River National Park (left). With no nearby roads or landing strips, this park contains some of the least accessible portions of Australia's National Park system. Moore Park (right) in Sydney also served as a set for the film. For more info on these two spots, click here.

"Animal House" Haunts

2008 marked the 30-year-anniversary of the cult comedy classic Animal House, which starred the late John Belushi. Fenton Hall (bottom) at the University of Oregon in Eugene is the very spot where the movie's hilarious courtroom scene was filmed. Not far from the campus, the legendary Delta fraternity house once stood at 751 East 11th Avenue (top). At the time of filming, the house was, appropriately enough, a halfway house for recent prison releases. The structure was torn down in the 1980s, but a small plaque commemorates the location's role in the movie. For these and other spots related to Animal House, click here.

Magical "Harry Potter" Spots

Several spots in England are now known for their role in the Harry Potter films. The address of Harry's cruel aunt and uncle is given in the movie as 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey, but the exterior scenes were actually filmed at 12 Picket Post Close in Martins Heron, Bracknell, Berkshire. Harry departs for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from London's real-life Kings Cross Station (right), where the city has playfully marked the location of the fictional Platform 9 3/4. Harry's arrival at Hogwarts is filmed at Goathland Station, North Yorkshire, while Alnwick Castle (left) in Northumberland is used to create the exterior shots of Hogwarts. For more info on these spots, including the locations where author J. K. Rowling and star Daniel Radcliffe grew up, click here.

"Britcom" Filming Spots

Two English spots, Holmfirth and Cricket House, have served as backdrops for a pair of popular "Britcoms," or British sitcoms. From 1979 to 1981, Cricket House doubled as "Grantleigh Manor" on the BBC show To The Manor Born (top). Both exterior and interior scenes were filmed in the manor house, which was converted to a resort hotel in 1999. Meanwhile, the village of Holmfirth is where scenes for the BBC sitcom Last of the Summer Wine (bottom) are shot. Last of the Summer Wine happens to be the longest-running comedy program on the BBC, and the longest-running sitcom in television history.

From Pinewood Studios With Love

The prestigious Pinewood Studios has been the favorite filming locale for many big-ticket movies, particularly James Bond flicks. 007 movies like Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Live and Let Die, The Man with the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy, A View To A Kill, The Living Daylights, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough, Casino Royale, and Quantum of Solace were all shot here. Other movies filmed here include 2008 blockbusters The Dark Knight and Mamma Mia!

Anniversary of the Dreyfus Affair

Today marks 114 years since the legendary Dreyfus Affair took place on Devil's Island in French Guiana. On January 5, 1895, Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish French army captain who had been wrongfully convicted of treason, was sent to the infamous penal colony, creating a great scandal. For more info on Devil's Island, click here.