MUSEUMS. International Museum Day is recognized annually on May 18.

There are far too many international museums to list them in this column but here are a few of the lesser known ones and a little bit about them just in case one might be in the area one day to check it out and tell us about the experience.

Everyone has heard of the Louvre in Paris, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, and the Guggenheim Museum in Spain, but what about these international places of interest?

CosmoCaixa in Barcelona, Spain—created to make science fun, is the first interactive science museum in Spain. It was designed by Josep Domenech, a famous Catalan architect. Features include the Flooded Forest and Geological Wall, as well as a Hall of Matter.

Bode Museum in Berlin, Germany — previously known as the Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum, after WWII destruction, the building endured nearly 40 years of renovation, and was renamed in honor of its first director. Exhibits include a collection of medals and coins showcasing the history of humans through metal.

Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg — This is quite a unique museum with curves and geometrical shapes. It was unveiled in 2010 by Queen Elizabeth II. The thought behind the museum is to bring visitors to a fulfilling and enlightening experience that revolves around respect and having a positive impact on the world.

FUN FACT. On this day in 1980, Mount St. Helens in the state of Washington, erupted in one of the greatest volcanic explosions ever recorded in North America. The earthquake registered a magnitude of 5.1 on the Richter scale.