Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 March 7

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The 2008 World Science Festival was a science festival held in New York City. The festival (May 28 – June 1, 2008) consisted mainly of panel discussions and on-stage conversations, accompanied by multimedia presentations. A youth and family program presented topics such as sports from a scientific perspective and included an extensive street fair. A cultural program led by actor and writer Alan Alda focused on art inspired by science. The festival also included a World Science Summit, a meeting of high-level participants from the worlds of science, politics, administration, and business. The festival was the brainchild of Columbia University physicist Brian Greene and his wife, Emmy Award-winning television journalist Tracy Day. It was held in partnership with major New York City cultural and academic institutions such as Columbia University, New York University and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. (more...) Recently featured: Guy Bradley – Lat – Tau Ceti Archive – By email – More featured articles...
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From Wikipedia's newest articles: ... that the high medieval Patriarchal Cathedral (pictured) atop the Tsarevets hill in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, has had its interior repainted in a modernist style? ... that during the tenure of the Abbasid governor al-Fadl ibn Salih, the Egyptian cities of al-Fustat and al-Askar were merged into one large city? ... that Alice Waters lobbied the Clinton administration to replace White House Executive Chef Pierre Chambrin with an American chef? ... that the conservatories of the Bason Botanic Gardens in Wanganui were constructed using recycled bricks from two demolished picture theatres? ... that until Marcel Deiss petitioned the French authorities to change the wine laws in 2005, it was illegal to not list the grape variety on the labels of Grand cru Alsatian wine? ... that DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince won Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance the same year they boycotted the ceremony? ... that although the 1965 Skyways Coach-Air Avro 748 crash ended with the passengers hanging upside down in their seats, they all survived? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Protesters storm several State Security Intelligence buildings across Egypt, including the headquarters in Alexandria. The Samoan general election results in a majority for the Human Rights Protection Party, led by incumbent Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi. NASA's Glory climate research satellite (artist's impression pictured) is lost in the second consecutive failure of a Taurus-XL rocket. Preliminary construction of the controversial Belo Monte Dam in Brazil is allowed after the previous ruling is overturned by a higher court. Middle East and North Africa protests Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
March 7: Clean Monday (Gregorian calendar, 2011); Teachers' Day in Albania; Casimir Pulaski Day in Illinois (2011) 161 – Following the death of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus agreed to become co-Emperors in an unprecedented arrangement in the Roman Empire. 1850 – In support of the Compromise of 1850, United States Senator Daniel Webster gave his "Seventh of March" speech, which was so unpopular among his constituency he was forced to resign. 1871 – José Paranhos, Viscount of Rio Branco (pictured), became Prime Minister of the Empire of Brazil, starting a four-year rule, the longest in the state's history. 1914 – Prussian William of Wied began his short reign as sovereign prince of the newly independent state of Albania. 2009 – The Kepler space observatory, designed to discover Earth-like planets orbiting other stars, was launched. More anniversaries: March 6 – March 7 – March 8 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now March 7 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus) is a medium-sized diurnal bird of prey found throughout Australia, New Caledonia and New Guinea. It ranges in size from 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24 in), with a wingspan between 123 and 146 cm (48 and 57 in). Males and females appear similar, with pale buff on the head, breast and tail, with browner wings and black flight feathers, but females are generally larger. It is named for its loud whistling call, which it gives in flight, while perched, and even while in the nest.

Photo: Fir0002

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