Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 December 17

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David Lewis (1909–1981) was a Russian-born Canadian Rhodes Scholar, labour lawyer and social democratic politician. He was national secretary of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation from 1936 to 1950. As the United Steelworkers of America’s legal counsel in Canada, he played a central role in the creation of the Canadian Labour Congress in 1956 and in the New Democratic Party (NDP)'s formation in 1961. In 1962, he was elected as a Member of Parliament. He was the NDP's leader from 1971 to 1975. After his defeat in the 1974 Canadian election, he retired from politics. He spent his last years as a university professor and a newspaper travel correspondent. In retirement, he was named to the highest level of the Order of Canada for his political service. After a lengthy battle with cancer, he died in 1981. (more...) Recently featured: True at First Light – Andalusian horse – Amundsen's South Pole expedition Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that Dutch clergyman W.R. van Hoëvell (pictured), after being forced to resign his post in Batavia in 1848, became a radical and eloquent spokesman against Dutch colonialism and slavery in the East and West Indies? ... that the British destroyer HMS Hurricane rescued 451 survivors from the passenger-cargo liner SS City of Nagpur and landed them at Greenock, Scotland, on 1 May 1941? ... that the aerial photograph of Palembang taken in 1984 revealed the ancient canal network that is now Srivijaya archaeological park? ... that Max Gresham, the 18-year-old 2011 NASCAR East Series champion, started racing at the age of 8? ... that the perennial herb Frasera caroliniensis can take up to thirty years to flower? ... that "Red Lipstick" was reminiscent of songs featured on Rihanna's fourth studio album Rated R (2009), with specific comparisons to "G4L" and "Wait Your Turn"? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Christopher Hitchens British–American author and journalist Christopher Hitchens (pictured) dies at the age of 62. Former French President Jacques Chirac receives a two-year suspended sentence after being convicted of embezzlement. The United States formally declares an end to the Iraq War. At least five people are killed and more than one hundred are wounded in a murder–suicide attack in Liège, Belgium. The Constituent Assembly of Tunisia elects Moncef Marzouki as the President of Tunisia. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
December 17: National Day in Bhutan (1907) 1862 – American Civil War: Union General Ulysses S. Grant (pictured) issued General Order No. 11, expelling Jews from Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kentucky. 1918 – About 1,000 demonstrators marched on Government House in Darwin, Australia, where they burnt an effigy of Administrator John Gilruth and demanded his resignation. 1935 – The Douglas DC-3, one of the most significant transport aircraft ever built, made its maiden voyage to coincide with the anniversary of the Wright Flyer's first flight. 1970 – Soldiers fired at workers emerging from trains in Gdynia, Poland, beginning the government's brutal crackdown on mass anti-communist protests across the country. 2009 – The livestock transport ship MV Danny F II capsized and sank in bad weather off the coast of Lebanon, resulting in 40 human and over 28,000 animal deaths. More anniversaries: December 16 – December 17 – December 18 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now December 17, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) is found widely throughout mainland Australia except for the tropical northern areas. It is larger than the Spinifex Pigeon, the other Australian pigeon with an erect crest. The Crested Pigeon grows 30–34 cm (12–13 in) long and is coloured grey with tinges of brown, with striped wings that are bronzed.

Photo: Benjamint444

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