Introduction · Almanac · Categories · Glossaries · Lists · Overviews · Portals · Questions · Site news · Index

Welcome to Wikipedia

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit

	Art		Geography		History		Philosophy		Society
	Culture		Health		People		Science		Technology

Today's featured article

Section of the trail in Shawangunk, New York

The Walden–Wallkill Rail Trail, also known as the Jesse McHugh Rail Trail, is a 3.22-mile (5.18 km) rail trail between the village of Walden and the hamlet of Wallkill. The two communities are located in Orange County and Ulster County, respectively, in upstate New York. The trail is part of the former Wallkill Valley Railroad's rail corridor. The railway was the first to operate in Ulster County. Passenger service ended in 1937; the opening of the New York State Thruway and decreased freight traffic caused the line to close in 1957. The land was purchased by the towns of Montgomery and Shawangunk in 1985 and converted to a public trail. The portion of the trail in Shawangunk was formally opened in 1993 and named after former town supervisor Jesse McHugh. After seven years of discussion, the route was paved between 2008 and 2009. The trail includes an unofficial, unimproved section to the north of Wallkill, and is bounded by NY 52 and NY 208. (Full article...)

Recently featured:

In the news

Justin Welby

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (pictured) announces his resignation as a result of the John Smyth abuse scandal in the Church of England.
In Zhuhai, China, 35 people are killed in a vehicle-ramming attack.
Alliance for Change, led by Navin Ramgoolam, wins the Mauritian general election.
A suicide bombing by the Balochistan Liberation Army at the Quetta railway station, Pakistan, kills 32 people.
The German ruling coalition collapses over disagreements on economic policies.

Today's featured picture

Sherman's March to the Sea was a military campaign of the American Civil War conducted through Georgia by Major General William Tecumseh Sherman of the Union Army. The campaign began on November 15, 1864, with Sherman's troops leaving Atlanta, recently taken by Union forces, and ended with the capture of the port of Savannah on December 21. His forces followed a "scorched earth" policy, destroying military targets as well as industry, infrastructure, and civilian property, disrupting the Confederacy's economy and transportation networks. The operation debilitated the Confederacy and helped lead to its eventual surrender. This picture shows an engraving by Alexander Hay Ritchie depicting Sherman's March to the Sea.

Engraving. credit: Alexander Hay Ritchie; restored by Adam Cuerden

Recently featured:

Did you know...

Reverse of History Instructing Youth, featuring Martha Washington

... that Martha Washington's portrait on the 1896 US one-dollar silver certificate (pictured) is the most recent time that a woman has been featured on US paper money?
... that Dalibor Riccardi, a head of state of San Marino, has played more than 70 matches in the country's football league?
... that at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, vice presidential nominee Tim Walz was booed for visiting the "wrong" Pennsylvanian gas station chain?
... that Eunus, a Syrian slave and reputed prophet, led a slave revolt in Sicily against the Roman Republic?
... that China was once the "Kingdom of Bicycles"?
... that Alan Rosen once sold 2,400 cheesecakes in four minutes to television shoppers?
... that Checheyigen's political acumen ensured that her family became one of the most powerful in the Mongol Empire?
... that the Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies houses a John Steinbeck archive of more than 50,000 items?
... that "Buy Cash" is the speaker of the House of Assembly of Eswatini?

Wikipedia community

Every page on Wikipedia is a collaborative effort. But there are some special places reserved for specific types of discussion and assistance. Find what you're looking for here:

Help (contents) — Use this if you need help editing. There is also a comprehensive range of help articles available here. You can ask a question about using Wikipedia at the Help Desk.
Community bulletin board — Requests for help within the Wikipedia community.
The Village Pump — These are main discussion forums for Wikipedia.
The Signpost — This is Wikipedia's local newspaper.
The Community Portal — This is the center of community involvement. Learn about projects and activities you can join to help improve Wikipedia.

Collaborations — Weekly, monthly, and ongoing collaborative article improvement drives within specific subject areas.
Reference Desk — Help other Wikipedians who are looking for specific information by answering their subject-related questions at the reference desk (like a library's information desk).
Local Embassy — For Wikipedia-related communication in languages other than English.
Department of Fun — Dedicated to FUN on Wikipedia.
Clinic for Wikipediholics — Sign-in to Wikipedia!
Welcoming committee — Greet newcomers.
Wikipedia Boot Camp — Take a crash course about Wikipedia!

Wikipedia sister projects

Wikipedia is written by volunteer editors and hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization that also hosts a range of other volunteer projects: