Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 September 23

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Today's featured article
The White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) is a large bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. Its plumage is mainly white, with black on its wings. Adults have long red legs and long pointed red beaks, and measure on average 100–115 cm (39–45 in) from beak tip to end of tail, with a 155–215 cm (61–85 in) wingspan. The two subspecies, which differ slightly in size, breed in Europe (north to Finland), northwestern Africa, southwestern Asia (east to southern Kazakhstan), and southern Africa. The White Stork is a long-distance migrant, wintering in Africa from tropical Sub-Saharan Africa to as far south as South Africa, or on the Indian subcontinent. A carnivore, the White Stork eats a wide range of animal prey, including insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and small birds. It takes most of its food from the ground, among low vegetation, and from shallow water. It is a monogamous breeder, but does not pair for life. This conspicuous bird has given rise to many legends across its range, of which the best-known is the story of babies being brought by storks. (more...) Recently featured: Mary Martha Sherwood – Spanish conquest of Guatemala – StarCraft: Ghost Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the Tomb of Bibi Jawindi (pictured) is considered the most ornate of the five monuments in Uch? ... that 15-year-old, 2012 British Paralympic swimmer Josef Craig set world records in both the heats and final of the 400 metre freestyle S7 event to win the gold medal? ... that the town and refugee camp of Khan Dannun in Syria was originally a basalt caravanserai built by the Mamluk governor of Damascus in 1376? ... that John J. Mullen was elected Mayor of Everett, Massachusetts, while he was suspended from his position on the Board of Aldermen? ... that "Accrington Stanley, Who Are They?" was originally scripted to use Tottenham Hotspur instead of Accrington Stanley? ... that Memorial Hall was the first building shared by male and female students at the University of Delaware? ... that even though Panajotis Dimitriadis is a midfielder, his play as a centre back got him on TV2's list as one of the five best players in the 2012 Norwegian First Division? ... that the majority of Chicago-based Calumet Photographic's retail stores are in Europe? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Anticipating violent reactions to a series of cartoons depicting Muhammad in the magazine Charlie Hebdo, France announces plans to temporarily close its embassies in 20 Muslim countries. Silver Linings Playbook, directed by David O. Russell (pictured), wins the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. Attacks on diplomatic missions and widescale protests occur following the release of a short film critical of Islam. British Prime Minister David Cameron apologises after an independent panel on the 1989 Hillsborough disaster finds that negligent police and emergency services manipulated evidence to blame the victims. The People's Party for Freedom and Democracy gains a plurality in the Dutch general election. Syrian civil war – Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
September 23: National Day in Saudi Arabia (1932); Celebrate Bisexuality Day 1568 – Anglo–Spanish War: At San Juan de Ulúa (in modern Veracruz, Mexico), Spanish naval forces forced English privateers to halt their illegal trade. 1779 – American Revolutionary War: John Paul Jones led the Continental Navy to victory in the Battle of Flamborough Head, one of the most celebrated naval actions of the war. 1846 – Using mathematical predictions by French mathematician Urbain Le Verrier, German astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle became the first person to observe Neptune (pictured) and recognise it as a hitherto unknown planet. 1952 – In one of the first political uses of television to appeal directly to the populace, Republican vice presidential candidate Richard Nixon delivered the "Checkers speech", refuting accusations of improprieties with contributions to his campaign. 2008 – A gunman shot and killed ten students at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences in Kauhajoki, Western Finland, before committing suicide. More anniversaries: September 22 – September 23 – September 24 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now September 23, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

Greyhound racing is a sport similar to horse racing where greyhounds, which have been bred primarily for coursing and racing, chase a lure around a track. Greyhounds can accelerate to 70 km/h (43 mph) within six strides. The sport was invented in 1919 in the United States and has since spread to a number of countries.

Photo: AngMoKio

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