Wikipedia:Main Page history/2017 November 7

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

From today's featured article

Vladimir Lenin (born Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, 1870–1924) was a Russian communist revolutionary, politician and political theorist. He was the first head of government of the Soviet Union, which under his administration became a one-party state governed by the Communist Party. Ideologically a Marxist, he developed political theories known as Leninism. After the 1917 February Revolution ousted the Tsar, he played a leading role in the 7 November 1917 insurrection commonly known as the October Revolution, in which the Bolsheviks overthrew the new regime. Lenin's administration redistributed land among the peasantry and nationalised banks and large-scale industry. It withdrew from the First World War by signing a treaty with the Central Powers, and promoted world revolution through the Communist International. Widely considered one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, Lenin is viewed by supporters as a champion of socialism and the working class, while critics on both the left and right emphasize his role as founder and leader of an authoritarian regime responsible for political repression and mass killings. (Full article...)

Recently featured:

Did you know...

Kelp Forest exhibit

... that Monterey Bay Aquarium was the first public aquarium to exhibit a living kelp forest (pictured), which is nearly three stories high?
... that Homer Franklin Bassett, a librarian in Waterbury, Connecticut, described 125 new species of gall wasp?
... that only 20.5 percent of registered Slovenians turned out to vote in a 2017 railway referendum?
... that Shadia Bseiso from Jordan is the first female Arab wrestler to sign with WWE?
... that the Women's Emergency Committee to Open Our Schools worked to end school segregation in Little Rock, Arkansas?
... that the UK Holocaust Memorial, to be built in London's Victoria Tower Gardens, will stand alongside other memorials that raise awareness of injustice?
... that Anthony Franchini, who served in the U.S. Army for both World Wars prior to obtaining U.S. citizenship, recorded more than 3,500 phonograph record sides with Frank Ferera in the 1920s?
... that people have been poisoned after mistaking the deadly dapperling for the grey knight?

In the news

Countries with persons implicated in the Paradise Papers

More than 13 million financial documents relating to offshore investment are leaked (implicated countries pictured).
In Sutherland Springs, Texas, United States, a mass shooting at a Baptist church kills 26 people and injures 20 others.
In the midst of reforms by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, more than 40 senior Saudi princes and ministers are arrested on corruption charges.
In baseball, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks defeat the Yokohama DeNA BayStars to win the Japan Series.
The Tapanuli orangutan is identified as a new species of great ape.
At least 32 people are killed and more than 90 others are injured in an explosion at a coal-fired power plant in Uttar Pradesh, India.

On this day...

November 7:

Singapore Mass Rapid Transit train

680 – The Sixth Ecumenical Council convened in Constantinople to take a position on the theological positions of monoenergism and monothelitism.
1775 – Lord Dunmore, the royal governor of the British Colony of Virginia, signed a proclamation promising freedom for slaves of Patriots if they joined the British Armed Forces.
1861 – American Civil War: Future U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant engaged in his first combat leadership role in the Battle of Belmont in Mississippi County, Missouri.
1917 – World War I: British forces captured Gaza when the Ottoman garrison abandoned the area.
1987 – Singapore's first Mass Rapid Transit line was opened (train pictured), starting with train services between Yio Chu Kang and Toa Payoh stations.

Jeanne de Jussie (d. 1561) · Thomas Brassey (b. 1805) · Lorde (b. 1996)

More anniversaries:

Today's featured picture

The keeled skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens) is a species of European dragonfly. It is commonly found in acidic heath land, where it is often seen alongside golden-ringed dragonflies.

Photograph: Andreas Eichler

Recently featured:

Other areas of Wikipedia

Community portal – Bulletin board, projects, resources and activities covering a wide range of Wikipedia areas.
Help desk – Ask questions about using Wikipedia.
Local embassy – For Wikipedia-related communication in languages other than English.
Reference desk – Serving as virtual librarians, Wikipedia volunteers tackle your questions on a wide range of subjects.
Site news – Announcements, updates, articles and press releases on Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation.
Village pump – For discussions about Wikipedia itself, including areas for technical issues and policies.