Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 January 1

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Today's featured article
The history of the Australian Capital Territory began on January 1, 1911, when it was created in law as the site for Australia's capital city Canberra. The region has a long prior history of human habitation before the Territory's creation, however, with evidence of Indigenous Australian settlement dating back at least 21,000 years. Following the colonisation of Australia by the British, the 19th century saw the initial European exploration and settlement of the area and their encounters with the local indigenous peoples, beginning in 1820 and shortly followed by settlements in 1824. In 1908, the region was selected as the site of the nation's future capital city. The territory officially came under government control as the Federal Capital Territory on 1 January 1911. The planning and construction of Canberra followed, with the Parliament of Australia finally moving there in 1927. (more...) Recently featured: Georges Vézina – Laplace–Runge–Lenz vector – Laurence of Canterbury Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest articles: ... that the Gospel of Luke states that the Circumcision of Jesus (pictured) took place eight days after his birth? ... that David Shirk, owner of the historic David L. Shirk Ranch in southeastern Oregon, killed an employee of cattle baron Peter French over a land claim? ... that the opening chorus of Bach's cantata for New Year's Day, Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 190, combines verses of two psalms and Luther's Te Deum? ... that in the past, Arubans used the caves of Aruba for performing sacrificial services and holding assemblies, and sometimes also to hide in during enemy attacks? ... that territory now included in the Quetzaltenango Department of Guatemala was the scene of a decisive battle between Spanish conquistadors and the army of the K'iche' Kingdom of Q'umarkaj? ... that baseball manager Roarin' Nick Allen "baited" and argued with umpires on the field because he wanted to increase attendance? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Colombia, Germany, India, Portugal, and South Africa begin two-year terms as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Estonia adopts the euro as its currency, ending use of the kroon. Five new lines are simultaneously opened for operation in the Beijing Subway, adding 108 km of new tracks to the system. Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav (pictured) is convicted of rape, obstruction of justice and other charges. In cricket, England win the fourth test against Australia to retain The Ashes for the first time in 24 years. Former President of Venezuela Carlos Andrés Pérez dies in Miami at the age of 88. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
January 1: New Year's Day in the Gregorian calendar, Feast of the Circumcision of Christ (Eastern Orthodox Church) 45 BC – The Roman Republic adopted the Julian calendar. 1739 – Bouvet Island in the South Atlantic Ocean, the most remote island in the world, was discovered by French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charles Bouvet de Lozier. 1801 – Italian astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi discovered the dwarf planet Ceres (pictured), naming it after the Roman goddess of growing plants and of motherly love. 1892 – The immigration station on Ellis Island in New York Harbor opened, and would, over the course of its existence, process twelve million immigrants to the United States. 1994 – The revolutionary leftist Zapatista Army of National Liberation initiated twelve days of armed conflict in the Mexican state of Chiapas. More anniversaries: December 31 – January 1 – January 2 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now January 1 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

A panoramic view of Parliament House, the meeting facility of the Parliament of Australia located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. At the time of the completion in 1988, it was the most expensive building in the Southern Hemisphere at over AU$1.1 billion. The building contains 4,700 rooms and many areas are open to the public. From above, it appears as two boomerangs enclosed within a circle. Much of the building is underground, located beneath Capital Hill.

Photo: John O'Neill

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