Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 August 24

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Today's featured article
Aiphanes is a genus of spiny palms which is native to tropical regions of South and Central America and the Caribbean. There are about 26 species in the genus, ranging in size from understorey shrubs with subterranean stems to subcanopy trees as tall as 20 metres (66 ft). Most have pinnately compound leaves (leaves which are divided into leaflets arranged feather-like, in pairs along a central axis); one species has entire leaves. Stems, leaves and sometimes even the fruit are covered with spines. Plants flower repeatedly over the course of their lifespan and have separate male and female flowers, although these are borne together on the same inflorescence. Although records of pollinators are limited, most species appear to be pollinated by insects. The fruit are eaten by several birds and mammals, including at least two species of Amazon parrots. (more...) Recently featured: Olmec colossal heads – Battle of Bosworth Field – USS New Ironsides Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the decoration on some of the Norman piers (example pictured) in St Mary's Church, Kirkby Lonsdale, is similar to that on the piers in Durham Cathedral? ... that Ottla Kafka, the youngest and dearest sister of Franz Kafka, died in the Holocaust because she divorced her Catholic husband? ... that Mike Hoolboom's Letters from Home was based on a speech by LGBT activist Vito Russo? ... that 2012 Australian Paralympic swimmer Taylor Corry made her national team debut at the 2011 Global Games where she earned eight gold medals? ... that the deluxe version of Coheed and Cambria's album, The Afterman: Ascension, will give a song-by-song experience using a hardcover coffee-table book? ... that Finnish priest Kalervo Kurkiala, a chaplain in the Waffen-SS, believed that military service was good for "country boys" and for "numerous bookworms and spoilt sloppy idlers"? ... that Sir Richard Hadlee took fourteen of his five-wicket hauls against Australia in Test cricket, and was the first bowler to reach 400 Test wickets? ... that Michel Roux was "over the moon" and "disturbed" in equal measure to hear that his son Alain Roux wanted to become a chef at the age of 14? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Sectarian clashes linked to the Syrian civil war continue in Lebanon's second largest city, Tripoli. Ethnic clashes over grazing rights for cattle in Kenya's Tana River District result in more than 50 deaths. Russia, formerly the world's largest non-WTO economy, joins the World Trade Organization after 19 years of negotiations. The Constitutional Court of Romania declares a referendum to impeach President Traian Băsescu (pictured) invalid, reinstating him. Thirty-six Iranian universities place restrictions on female students, making 77 fields of study male-only. A prison riot in Caracas, Venezuela, results in 25 deaths. Syrian civil war – Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
August 24: Independence Day in Ukraine (1991) 49 BC – Caesar's Civil War: Forces loyal to Julius Caesar led by Gaius Scribonius Curio were crushingly defeated by Pompeian Republicans under Publius Attius Varus and King Juba I of Numidia. 1456 – The oldest known version of the Gutenberg Bible, the first major book produced on a printing press, was completed. 1821 – The Treaty of Córdoba was signed in Córdoba, Veracruz, ratifying the Plan of Iguala and concluding Mexico's War of Independence from Spain. 1942 – World War II: Bombers from the United States aircraft carrier Saratoga sank the Japanese aircraft carrier Ryūjō near Santa Isabel, Solomon Islands, helping to lead to an Allied victory. 1992 – Hurricane Andrew (pictured) made landfall in South Florida, the third most powerful Category 5 system to hit the United States during the 20th century. More anniversaries: August 23 – August 24 – August 25 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now August 24, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

A Dusky Woodswallow (Artamus cyanopterus) feeding a wasp to its chicks. The Dusky Woodswallow is found in eastern and southern Australia. It is medium sized and swallow-like, although it is not related to true swallows. It is an omnivore, with its diet consisting of insects, various forms of foliage, and nectar from flowers.

Photo: JJ Harrison

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