Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 October 29

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

Today's featured article
Lester Brain (1903–1980) was a pioneer Australian aviator and airline executive. Born in New South Wales, he trained with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) before joining Qantas as a pilot in 1924. He was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1929, after locating the lost aircraft Kookaburra in northern Australia. As a member of the RAAF reserve, Brain coordinated his airline's support for the Australian military during World War II. He earned a King's Commendation for his rescue efforts during an air raid on Broome, Western Australia in 1942, and was promoted to wing commander in 1944. Brain left Qantas to join the fledgling government-owned domestic carrier Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) in June 1946. Appointed its first General Manager, he swiftly built up the organisation to the stage where it could commence scheduled operations later in the year. By the time he resigned in March 1955, TAA was firmly established as one half of the Commonwealth government's two-airline system. After his departure from TAA, Brain became Managing Director of de Havilland Aircraft in Sydney, before joining the board of East-West Airlines as a consultant in January 1961. Appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in January 1979, Lester Brain died in June the following year, at the age of seventy-seven. (more...) Recently featured: Statue of Liberty – Rudolph Cartier – Northern Bald Ibis Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that with today's opening of the City Mall in Christchurch (pictured), the first part of the central business district reopens since the February earthquake, with 27 shops accommodated in shipping containers? ... that professional baseball pitcher Oscar Graham, who won 276 games in his career, worked as a rabbit hunter during the winter? ... that microalgae is used widely in aquaculture and is now cultured itself in hatcheries? ... that at least 17 tropical cyclones in the East Pacific have existed during the off-season? ... that Ian Bankier became Celtic F.C.'s 15th chairman in the club's 123-year history? ... that the lead ship of the Reina Victoria Eugenia class was to be named after King Alfonso XIII's English wife? ... that Nia Dinata, director of controversial films on homosexuality and polygamy, started a children's film festival in 2009? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
The Bolshoi Theatre (pictured) in Moscow reopens after a six-year, 21-billion-ruble (US$680-million) renovation. Five representatives of the Arab Spring—Mohamed Bouazizi, Ali Farzat, Asmaa Mahfouz, Ahmed al-Senussi, and Razan Zaitouneh—share the Sakharov Prize. The Renaissance Party, led by Hamadi Jebali, wins plurality in Tunisia's first Constituent Assembly election held since the country's revolution. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner makes its inaugural commercial flight, from Tokyo to Hong Kong. Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is re-elected for a second term. Floods in central Thailand reach Bangkok, affecting more than two million people. A 7.2-magnitude earthquake strikes the eastern Turkish city of Van, leaving hundreds of people dead or missing. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
October 29: Republic Day in Turkey (1923) 1929 – About 16 million shares were traded on the New York Stock Exchange on "Black Tuesday", a record that stood for almost 40 years, making a total of $30 billion that had been lost over two days. 1986 – British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher opened the last segment of the M25 motorway, an orbital road encircling London that is one of the world's longest. 1991 – Galileo became the first spacecraft to visit an asteroid when it made a flyby of 951 Gaspra (pictured). 1998 – Four teenagers who were denied entry to a discothèque in Gothenburg, Sweden, set it on fire, killing 63 patrons and injuring over 200 others. 1999 – About 15,000 people died when a supercyclone hit the Indian state of Orissa near the city of Bhubaneswar. More anniversaries: October 28 – October 29 – October 30 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now October 29, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The Paper Kite (Idea leuconoe) is a species of butterfly native to Southeast Asia. Also known as the Rice Paper or Large Tree Nymph butterfly, this species is noted for its presence in butterfly greenhouses and live butterfly expositions.

Photo: Pro2

Recently featured: Koala – Big & Small – Crimson Rosella

Archive – More featured pictures...

Other areas of Wikipedia

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