Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 October 1

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Today's featured article
The Free State of Galveston was a whimsical name given to the island city of Galveston in the U.S. state of Texas during the early-to-mid-20th century. Today, the term is sometimes used to describe the culture and history of that era. This free-wheeling period reached its peak during the Prohibition and Depression eras but continued well past the end of World War II. During the Roaring Twenties, Galveston Island emerged as a popular resort town, attracting celebrities from around the nation. Gambling, illegal liquor, and other vice-oriented businesses were a major part of tourism. The Free State moniker embodied a belief held by many locals that Galveston was beyond what they perceived were repressive mores and laws of Texas and the United States. Two major figures of the era were the organized crime bosses Sam and Rosario Maceo, who ran the chief casinos and clubs on the island and were heavily involved in the government and the tourism industry. The success of vice on the island, despite being illegal, was enabled by lax attitudes in the society and the government, both on the island and in the county. Much of this period represented a high point in Galveston's economy. However, crackdowns against gambling and prostitution in Texas during the mid-20th century made these businesses increasingly difficult to sustain. By the 1950s, this era of Galveston's history had ended. (more...) Recently featured: Northrop YF-23 – Cirrus cloud – 22nd Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Archive – By email – More featured articles...
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From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the Maroon Creek Bridge (pictured) is the only significant remnant of two rail lines that once served Aspen, Colorado? ... that doctor and author James Le Fanu has associated Darwinian evolution with materialism? ... that the handpainted Changzhou comb was a desired object among Chinese royalty during the Southern and Northern Dynasties over 1500 years ago? ... that the flesh of Tricholoma argyraceum has a floury and rancid taste? ... that Codex Ravianus, Toletanus, Theodulphianus, Legionensis, Sangallensis 63, Sangallensis 907, and minuscule 918 contain the spurious biblical text Comma Johanneum? ... that the compilation album Puros Trankazos features a song about not killing someone lately? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Wangari Maathai American and Yemeni officials report that Anwar al-Awlaki, described as a senior al-Qaeda member, has been killed in an airstrike in Ma'rib, Yemen. China launches its first space station, Tiangong 1, as part of its human spaceflight program. Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai (pictured), the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, dies at the age of 71. King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia announces that Saudi women will be permitted to vote and stand for election. Patrick Makau Musyoki of Kenya wins the Berlin Marathon, setting a new world record. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
October 1: Independence Day in Cyprus and Nigeria (both 1960), Tuvalu (1978) and Palau (1994); Unification Day in Cameroon (1961); National Day in the People's Republic of China (1949) 1890 – At the urging of preservationist John Muir and writer Robert Underwood Johnson, the United States Congress established Yosemite National Park (Yosemite Valley pictured) in California. 1946 – Mensa, the largest and oldest high-IQ society in the world, was formed in the United Kingdom. 1961 – The southern portion of British Cameroons merged with Cameroun to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. 1987 – Denmark became the first country to legalise civil unions between same-sex couples. 1991 – New Zealand's Resource Management Act came into effect, regulating access to natural and physical resources such as land, air and water, to ensure their sustainable use. More anniversaries: September 30 – October 1 – October 2 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now October 1, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

Snowboarding is a winter sport that derives from skiing, sledding, surfing, and skateboarding. The snowboard attaches to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. Modern snowboarding began in Muskegon, Michigan, in 1965 and immediately proved to be quite popular. It has been a Winter Olympic sport since 1998.

Photo: Søren Hoven

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