Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 May 14

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Today's featured article
Virginia is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. The state population is over eight million. Its geography and climate are shaped by the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay, which are home to much of its flora and fauna. The area's history begins with several indigenous groups, including the Powhatan. In May 1607 the London Company established the Colony of Virginia as the first permanent New World English colony. Virginia was one of the Thirteen Colonies involved in the American Revolution. During the American Civil War, Virginia joined the Confederate States of America, which named Richmond its capital, and the state of West Virginia separated. The Virginia General Assembly is the oldest legislature in the Americas, and the state is unique for prohibiting governors from serving consecutive terms. Virginia's economy is diversified with agriculture in regions like the Shenandoah Valley, federal agencies in Northern Virginia, and military facilities in Hampton Roads. The growth of the media and technology sectors have made computer chips the leading export, with the industry based on the strength of Virginia's public schools and universities. (more...) Recently featured: Battle of Khafji – Hurricane Rick – Shimer College Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest articles: ... that Rodion Shchedrin's opera Lolita, which uses a Russian-language libretto based on Nabokov's novel, was performed in German in the presence of the composer and his wife (pictured)? ... that Bicentennial Park in Hillsboro, Oregon, partly commemorates the city's centennial? ... that for eight years Steve Scully, host of C-SPAN's Washington Journal, taught a cable TV distance learning class on media and politics through the University of Denver? ... that multicast encryption is what enables a node on a network to send one unit of data to a special set of receivers? ... that Abu Ahmed al-Kuwaiti has been described as Osama bin Laden's "favorite courier and right-hand man"? ... that Lewis Milestone's 1953 musical biographical drama Melba, about the life of soprano Nellie Melba, was the feature film debut of Metropolitan Opera star Patrice Munsel? ... that the Siam Cup was hidden in an unknown place to prevent it from being melted down by the Nazis, and was only rediscovered in 1947? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Damage in Lorca In a state assembly election held in West Bengal, India, the world's longest-serving democratically elected communist government loses power. A double bombing in Charsadda District, Pakistan, kills at least 80 people and injures more than 150 others. A 5.1-magnitude earthquake (damage pictured), Spain's deadliest in 55 years, occurs near the town of Lorca. In association football, FC Barcelona win their 21st La Liga title. Microsoft announces the acquisition of online phone service Skype for US$8.5 billion. Belgian cyclist Wouter Weylandt dies in a crash during the third stage of the Giro d'Italia, becoming the first cyclist killed on a Grand Tour since 1995. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
May 14: Feast day of Saint Matthias and Saint Mo Chutu (Roman Catholic Church); Sanja Matsuri begins in Tokyo 1264 – Second Barons' War: King Henry III was defeated at the Battle of Lewes and forced to sign the Mise of Lewes, making Simon de Montfort the de facto ruler of England. 1868 – Boshin War: Troops of the Tokugawa shogunate withdrew from the Battle of Utsunomiya Castle and retreated north towards Nikkō and Aizu. 1939 – In Lima, Peru, Lina Medina became the youngest confirmed mother in history, giving birth at the age of five years, seven months and 17 days. 1951 – Trains ran on the Talyllyn Railway in Wales for the first time since its preservation, making it the first railway in the world to be operated by volunteers. 1955 – Cold War: Eight Eastern Bloc countries signed a mutual defense treaty to establish the Warsaw Pact. 1973 – The NASA space station Skylab (pictured) was launched from Cape Canaveral. More anniversaries: May 13 – May 14 – May 15 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now May 14, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

An Agusta A109 rescue helicopter leaves Mount Pilatus, near Lucerne, Switzerland, after recovering a patient. Later renamed AgustaWestland AW109, the A109 is a helicopter manufactured by Agusta (now AgustaWestland) of Italy. It is a light-weight, twin-engine, eight-seat multi-purpose craft.

Photo: Ikiwaner

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