Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 May 12

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

Today's featured article
Hurricane Rick was the second-most intense Pacific hurricane on record and the strongest to ever form during October. Developing south of Mexico on October 15, 2009, Rick traversed an area favoring rapid intensification, allowing it to become a hurricane within 24 hours of being declared a tropical depression. An eye began to form during the afternoon of October 16; once fully formed, the storm underwent another period of rapid strengthening. During the afternoon of October 17, the storm attained Category 5 status on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. Several hours later, Rick attained its peak intensity as the second-strongest Pacific hurricane on record with winds of 180 mph (285 km/h). After maintaining this intensity for several hours, Rick began to weaken in response to a combination of an eyewall replacement cycle and increasing wind shear. On October 21, Rick quickly moved northeast, brushing the tip of Baja California Sur before making landfall near Mazatlán with winds of 55 mph (90 km/h). Several hours after moving inland, the final advisory from the NHC was issued as the storm weakened to a tropical depression and dissipated. Overall, the damage from Rick was significantly less than what was initially anticipated. Throughout Mexico, three people were killed by the storm, one in Oaxaca and two in Baja California Sur. (more...) Recently featured: Shimer College – Toronto Raptors – Edward III of England Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest articles: ... that the heathland shrub Banksia paludosa (pictured) is pollinated by sugar gliders and brown antechinus? ... that the Central Committee of Polish Jews, formed in 1944, was instrumental in organizing and implementing the free immigration of Jews to the new State of Israel? ... that the Met Ball is considered to be the fashion industry's premier annual red carpet event? ... that in FCC v. AT&T Inc., the US Supreme Court struck a blow to corporate personhood and held that corporations cannot claim exempt status from Freedom of Information Act requests? ... that Chinatown, Newcastle, is on land once part of Blackfriars monastery in Newcastle, England? ... that Gordon Ramsay became the first Scottish chef to win three Michelin stars at his self-titled restaurant in 2001? ... that in the 1974 BBC documentary A Passion for Churches, Poet Laureate John Betjeman compares the likeness of church architect Ninian Comper to Colonel Harland Sanders? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Wouter Weylandt Microsoft announces the acquisition of online phone service Skype for US$8.5 billion. Belgian cyclist Wouter Weylandt (pictured) dies in a crash during the third stage of the Giro d'Italia, becoming the first cyclist killed on a Grand Tour since 1995. In the Singaporean general election, the People's Action Party is returned to power, while the opposition wins its first Group Representation Constituency. In association football, A.C. Milan win their 18th Serie A title. Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao retains his WBO Welterweight championship after defeating American Shane Mosley. Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros dies after a three-year battle with cancer. Voters in the United Kingdom reject the alternative vote system for future parliamentary elections. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
May 12: International Nurses Day 1364 – King of Poland Casimir III issued a royal charter to establish Jagiellonian University, the nation's oldest university. 1865 – In the last major clash of arms of the American Civil War, the Union Army engaged the Confederates along the banks of the Rio Grande east of Brownsville, Texas. 1881 – Under the threat of invasion, the Bey of Tunis Muhammad III as-Sadiq (pictured) signed the Treaty of Bardo to make Tunisia a French protectorate. 1968 – The 1st Australian Task Force began the defence of Fire Support Base Coral in the largest unit-level action of the Vietnam War for the Australian Army. 2006 – A cartoon that allegedly compared Iranian Azeris to cockroaches was published in an Iranian magazine, sparking riots throughout the country. More anniversaries: May 11 – May 12 – May 13 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now May 12, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

Eristalinus fuscicornis is a species of hoverfly in the Eristalinus genus. The members of this genus are characterized by distinctive eye markings, usually in the form of spots or bands (as shown here). Most are stout flies, and are nimble flyers, even compared to other hoverfly species.

Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim

Recently featured: Big White Fog – Marasmius elegans – Human circulatory system

Archive – More featured pictures...

Other areas of Wikipedia

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