National Lighthouse Day calls for lighthouses%2c when possible%2c to be open to the public. If you're within driving distance to a coast%2c today's the day to make a trip to one of these beautiful structures.

The American Lighthouse Organization is dedicated to preserving and protecting these historic structures. If you visit a lighthouse%2c consider making a small donation to its operating organization in order to continue providing public access.

Lighthouses are beautiful and they make for great artwork. Paint or photograph a lighthouse and give your pic to that relative who has a collection of lighthouse postcards.

Originally%2c burning coal or even fires were used as the "lamp" or the source of light in a lighthouse. Lighthouses later made use of oil-burning lamps and finally%2c electric lamps in 1875.

Located on coasts and cliffs%2c lighthouses are subject to storms%2c high winds and other extreme conditions. Yet%2c many remain viable and strong%2c even today. America's oldest operational lighthouse is the Boston Lighthouse on Little Brewster Island in Boston Harbor%2c MA built in 1716.

The cylindrical shape%2c coupled with the scenery of the surrounding coast or bay%2c makes lighthouses a popular photographic destination. It's no surprise — there's a quiet comfort in seeing a lighthouse standing tall on the edge of the ocean.