Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 January 6

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Today's featured article
Sarah Trimmer (1741–1810) was a noted writer and critic of British children's literature in the eighteenth century. Her periodical, The Guardian of Education, helped to define the emerging genre by seriously reviewing children's literature for the first time; it also provided the first history of children's literature, establishing a canon of the early landmarks of the genre that scholars still use today. Trimmer's most popular children's book, Fabulous Histories, inspired numerous children's animal stories and remained in print for over a century. Trimmer was in many ways dedicated to maintaining the social and political status quo in her works. As a high church Anglican, she was intent on promoting the Established Church of Britain and on teaching young children and the poor the doctrines of Christianity. Her writings outlined the benefits of social hierarchies, arguing that each class should remain in its God-given position. Yet, while supporting many of the traditional political and social ideologies of her time, Trimmer questioned others, such as those surrounding gender and the family. (more...) Recently featured: Justus – Loggerhead sea turtle – Battle of Bardia Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the beau gregory (pictured), a small damselfish, maintains a territory and drives away intruders? ... that Ezedin Abdel Aziz Khalil, an alleged al-Qaeda operative based in Iran, is one of three designated terrorists in the Rewards for Justice Program's $10 million reward bracket? ... that Portland Fire Station No. 7, built in Portland, Oregon in 1927, was the last of many firehouses designed by Lee Gray Holden, who died of a stroke while visiting it? ... that El Manik went from being a vagrant to Citra Award-winning actor in six years? ... that population of the crofting hamlet Skerray in northern Scotland fell from 500 in 1926 to around 100 by the 1980s? ... that the perfume Truth or Dare was inspired by singer Madonna's memory of her mother's fragrance? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Portia Simpson-Miller Two people are convicted of the murder of Stephen Lawrence, the crime that led to a landmark change in UK double jeopardy law. Christopher Loeak is elected President of the Marshall Islands. Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Morocco, Pakistan, and Togo join the UN Security Council as non-permanent members. Scores of people are killed and 20,000 more displaced by inter-tribal fighting in Pibor, South Sudan, despite the presence of UN peacekeepers. The People's National Party, led by Portia Simpson-Miller (pictured), wins a majority in the Jamaican general election. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
January 6: Theophany (Eastern Christianity); Armed Forces Day in Iraq; bicentennial of the birth of Philippine revolutionary Melchora Aquino (pictured) 1449 – The last Byzantine-Roman Emperor, Constantine XI Palaiologos, was crowned, four years before the Fall of Constantinople. 1838 – Samuel Morse and his assistant Alfred Vail successfully tested the electrical telegraph for the first time at Speedwell Ironworks in Morristown, New Jersey. 1912 – German geophysicist Alfred Wegener first presented his theory of continental drift. 1993 – Indian Border Security Force (BSF) units killed 55 Kashmiri civilians in Sopore, Jammu and Kashmir, in revenge after militants ambushed a BSF patrol. 1994 – Two-time American Olympic figure skating medalist Nancy Kerrigan was clubbed on the right leg by an assailant hired by Jeff Gillooly, the ex-husband of her rival Tonya Harding. More anniversaries: January 5 – January 6 – January 7 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now January 6, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

A 2600 series car of the Chicago 'L' rapid transit system. The rolling stock of the 'L' consists of 1,190 rail cars (all permanently coupled into 595 married pairs) dating from 1969 to 2011. With 594 active cars out of a total of 600 built, the 2600 series is by far the most abundant in the 'L' rolling stock.

Photo: Daniel Schwen

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