Wikipedia:Main Page history/2014 January 24

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From today's featured article

Sudirman (1916–50) was a high-ranking military officer during the Indonesian National Revolution. The first commander-in-chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces, he was declared a National Hero in 1964. A teacher when the Japanese occupied the Indies in 1942, he joined the Japanese-sponsored Defenders of the Homeland and oversaw the Japanese surrender in Banyumas after Indonesia proclaimed its independence. Elected commander-in-chief in November 1945, he ordered an assault on British and Dutch forces at Ambarawa, strengthening his popular support. During the next three years negotiations with the Dutch failed and in December 1948 the Dutch tried to capture Yogyakarta, the republican capital. While the political leadership sheltered, Sudirman led a small group of soldiers in a seven-month guerrilla campaign. When the Dutch began withdrawing, he wanted to continue fighting them but was forbidden. Sudirman retired because of illness and died soon after the Dutch recognised Indonesia's independence. His guerrilla campaign has been credited with developing the army's esprit de corps, and the 100-kilometre (62 mi) long route he took must be followed by Indonesian cadets before graduation. (Full article...)

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In the news

The dwarf planet Ceres is observed to be releasing water vapour.
Scientists in Brazil identify a new species of river dolphin.
Ukrainian police clash with rioters (aftermath pictured) protesting against new anti-protest laws.
Scientists measure the optical spectrum of ball lightning for the first time.
Egypt approves a new constitution.
Archaeologists discover the tombs of Sobekhotep I and the previously unknown Abydos Dynasty pharaoh, Seneb Kay.
During heavy fighting over Malakal, South Sudan, a Nile ferry carrying refugees sinks, drowning more than 200 people.
In association football, Cristiano Ronaldo wins the FIFA Ballon d'Or and Nadine Angerer wins the Women's World Player of the Year award.

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On this day...

January 24

41 – Cassius Chaerea and the disgruntled Praetorian Guards murdered Roman emperor Caligula (bust pictured), replacing him with his uncle Claudius.
1857 – The University of Calcutta, the first modern university in the Indian subcontinent, was established in Calcutta.
1900 – Second Boer War: Boer forces stopped a British attempt to break the Siege of Ladysmith in the Battle of Spion Kop.
1968 – Vietnam War: The 1st Australian Task Force launched Operation Coburg against the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong during wider fighting around Long Binh and Bien Hoa.
2009 – Klaus, the most damaging storm since Lothar and Martin in December 1999, made landfall near Bordeaux, France.

More anniversaries: January 23 – January 24 – January 25

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It is now January 24, 2014 (UTC) – Reload this page

Today's featured picture

Catopsilia pyranthe is a medium sized butterfly of the family Pieridae. It is found in South Asia, Southeast Asia and parts of Australia. This male was photographed in West Bengal, India.

Photo: Joydeep

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