Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 December 29

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Today's featured article
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is a 1989 American science fiction film released by Paramount Pictures. It is the fifth feature in the franchise and the penultimate to star the cast of the original Star Trek science fiction television series. Taking place shortly after the events of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, the plot follows the crew of the USS Enterprise-A as they confront a renegade Vulcan, Sybok, who is searching for God at the center of the galaxy. The film was directed by cast member William Shatner (pictured), following two films directed by his co-star, Leonard Nimoy. Shatner also developed the initial storyline in which Sybok searches for God, but instead finds Satan. The original script was disliked by series creator Gene Roddenberry, while Nimoy and DeForest Kelley objected to the premise that their characters, Spock and Leonard McCoy, would betray Shatner's James T. Kirk. The script went through multiple revisions to please the cast and studio, including cuts in the effects-laden climax of the film. The film's ending was reworked because of poor test audience reaction and the failure of planned special effects. The Final Frontier was released in North America on June 9, 1989, amidst a summer box office crowded by sequels and blockbuster films. The film received generally mixed or poor reviews by critics on release, and according to its producer nearly killed the franchise. (more...) Recently featured: Peace dollar – Knowle West, Bristol – 1689 Boston revolt Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the grooved brain coral (pictured) was featured on postage stamps from Belize and Mayotte? ... that when goalkeeper Sam Gillam replaced Alf Pugh for Wales against Scotland on 15 April 1889, he became the first substitute in international football? ... that Oregon politician Shawn Lindsay proposed a law in response to the acquittal of Casey Anthony in Florida? ... that the Thoroughbred racehorse George Frederick was named after the future King George V, and won the 1874 Derby Stakes on the young prince's birthday? ... that Indonesian actress Titi Sjuman agreed to make her film debut only after being cajoled by her brother and sister-in-law (the film's director)? ... that larval buckeyes eat bluehearts? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
The first stage of China's COMPASS satellite navigation system becomes operational, covering the China region. Multiple bombings occur in Nigeria, killing at least 39 people. Two coordinated bombings kill at least 44 people in Damascus, Syria. A series of coordinated bombings in Baghdad kills at least 65 people. Soyuz TMA-03M, launched from Baikonur, carries a crew of three men (pictured) to the International Space Station. Russia's largest stock exchanges, MICEX and RTS, merge to form MICEX-RTS. North Korea announces the death of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
December 29: Independence Day in Mongolia (1911) 1835 – The United States signed the Treaty of New Echota with leaders of a minority Cherokee faction, which became the legal basis for the forcible removal known as the Trail of Tears. 1860 – To counter the French Navy's La Gloire, the world's first ironclad warship, the British Royal Navy launched the world's first iron-hulled armoured battleship, HMS Warrior. 1911 – Sun Yat-sen (pictured) was elected in Nanjing as the Provisional President of the Republic of China. 1930 – Muhammad Iqbal introduced the Two-Nation Theory outlining a vision for the creation of an independent state for Muslim-majority provinces in northwestern British India. 1937 – The Constitution of Ireland, the founding legal document of the state known today as the Republic of Ireland, came into force. 1959 – Physicist Richard Feynman gave a speech entitled "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom", which is considered the birth of nanotechnology. More anniversaries: December 28 – December 29 – December 30 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now December 29, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

An Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata) duckling. Also known as the Maned Duck or Maned Goose, this species of dabbling duck is found throughout most of Australia. Its habitat includes lightly wooded swamps, marshes, open woodland and grassland.

Photo: Benjamint444

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