Wikipedia:Main Page history/2021 August 16

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

From today's featured article

Dimple Kapadia (born 1957) is an Indian actress of Hindi films. She was discovered at age 14 by Raj Kapoor, who cast her in the title role of Bobby, a major success in 1973. The same year, she married and then quit acting until 1984. Both Bobby and her comeback film Saagar (1985) won her Filmfare Awards for Best Actress. She established herself as a leading lady in both mainstream and parallel Hindi cinema and won acclaim for Kaash (1987), Drishti (1990) and Lekin (1991). Her portrayal of a professional mourner in Rudaali (1993) won her a Filmfare Critics Award and the National Film Award for Best Actress; a supporting role in Krantiveer (1994) earned her a fourth Filmfare Award. Less active in later decades, Kapadia played troubled middle-aged women in Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and Leela (2002). She followed with several leading roles, but character parts in films including Luck by Chance (2009), Finding Fanny (2014) and the Hollywood thriller Tenet (2020) brought her more success. (Full article...)

Recently featured:

Did you know ...

Paula Craig

... that former detective inspector Paula Craig (pictured) is set to take part in a cross-Channel swim today?
... that the bamboo-filled atrium of the IBM Building was described as "New York City's peerless privately owned public space"?
... that former British Army Commando major-general John Woollett later became a planning inspector?
... that the 2015 video game Worlds of Magic, intended as a spiritual successor to the classic game Master of Magic, failed to impress most reviewers?
... that of the 16 teams to enter the inaugural Scottish Cup, only Dumbarton, Kilmarnock and Queen's Park still regularly compete in the competition?
... that the sea slug Philinopsis speciosa wraps the mucus strand containing its eggs around its head?
... that ink wash painting was created by the Chinese in the 8th century and the technique then spread to the rest of East Asia?
... that when starting his business, Vincent Figgins needed help from the mysterious "Black Man"?

In the news

Haiti earthquake damage

The Afghan government collapses as the capital city of Kabul falls to the Taliban offensive.
A 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Haiti (damage pictured) kills more than 1,200 people.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change releases the first part of its Sixth Assessment Report on the state of knowledge of climate change and its effects.
The Summer Olympics close in Tokyo, Japan.

On this day

August 16

Skookum Jim Mason

1863 – Following Spain's annexation of the Dominican Republic, nationalist rebels raised the Dominican flag in Santiago de los Caballeros to begin the War of Restoration.
1896 – A group including George Carmack and Skookum Jim Mason (pictured) discovered gold near Dawson City, Canada, setting off the Klondike Gold Rush.
1906 – An earthquake registering approximately 8.2 M_w struck Valparaíso, Chile, killing 3,882 people.
1946 – Widespread riots between Hindus and Muslims took place in Calcutta following the All-India Muslim League's call for an independent Pakistan.
2015 – Suicide bombers assassinated Pakistani politician Shuja Khanzada and killed at least 21 others at his home in Attock District.

Theodore II Laskaris (d. 1258)
Elsie Inglis (b. 1864)
Tara Teng (b. 1988)

More anniversaries:

From today's featured list

Seal of the University of Illinois system

There have been 20 presidents of the University of Illinois system, a system of public universities in the U.S. state of Illinois. The president is the chief executive officer and a faculty member of each of its colleges, schools, institutions, and divisions. Elected by the board of trustees, the president is responsible to them for the operation of the system by preparing budgets, recommending persons for appointment to university positions, and enforcing of the rules and regulations of the universities. Following the establishment of the office in 1867, John Milton Gregory served as the first president, originally titled "regent". Three presidents, Lloyd Morey, James J. Stukel, and Robert A. Easter, are alumni of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The current president is Timothy L. Killeen, who has held the position since 2015. (Full list...)

Recently featured:

Today's featured picture

Destruction is the fourth in a series of five oil-on-canvas paintings entitled The Course of Empire, created by the American artist Thomas Cole between 1833 and 1836. The series, now in the collection of the New-York Historical Society, depicts the growth and fall of an imaginary city, situated at the lower end of a river valley. In this painting, a fleet of enemy vessels have sailed up the river, bringing warriors who have overthrown the city's defenses, are ransacking the city and killing and raping its inhabitants.

Painting credit: Thomas Cole

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.
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.