Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 February 21

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Today's featured article
St Nicholas is the Anglican parish church of Blakeney, Norfolk, in the deanery of Holt and the Diocese of Norwich. It stands just inland from, and about 30 m (100 ft) above the small port. Of the original 13th-century building only the chancel remains, the rest having been rebuilt in the prosperous 15th century; the chancel may have survived owing to its link to the nearby friary. Unusual architectural features include a second tower, used as a beacon, at its east end, a stepped seven-light window in the chancel, and a hammerbeam roof in the nave. Much of the original church furniture was lost in the Reformation, but a late-Victorian restoration recreated something of the original appearance, as well as repairing and refacing the building. Nine Arts and Crafts windows by James Powell and Sons are featured on the east and south sides of the church, and the north porch has two modern blue-themed windows. St Nicholas contains some notable memorials, including several plaques for the Blakeney lifeboats and their crews, and much pre-Reformation graffiti, particularly depictions of ships. (more...) Recently featured: Texas Tech University – New York State Route 28 – Baldwin of Forde Archive – By email – More featured articles...
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From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that the 1815 Derby winner Whisker (pictured) was said to be "as near perfection as a horse could be"? ... that from 1942 Oliver H. Langeland, and from 1944 to 1945 Lorentz Brinch was in command of D13, a Milorg district with about 7,000 soldiers behind German lines in occupied Norway at the end of World War II? ... that Iznik-tiled lunette panels believed to have been removed from Istanbul's Piyale Pasha Mosque in the 19th century are currently on display in various museums such as the Louvre and the V&A? ... that OK Go band member Damian Kulash was trained in stunt driving for the making of the music video for "Needing/Getting"? ... that following the 2011 Libyan civil war, many Tuareg fighters for the defeated government became members of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad, seeking an independent Azawad? ... that Albert Kirchner, who made many pornographic films, was the first filmmaker to direct a film about the life of Christ? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Christian Wulff At least 44 people are killed during a prison riot in Apodaca, Mexico. Caesar Must Die wins the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. President of Germany Christian Wulff (pictured) resigns following allegations of corruption during his tenure as Prime Minister of Lower Saxony. A fire at a prison in Comayagua, Honduras, kills more than 380 people. Indonesian airline Lion Air orders 230 aircraft from Boeing in a US$22.4 billion deal, a commercial aviation record. In its maiden flight, ESA's Vega rocket successfully launches LARES and eight other satellites. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
February 21: Mardi Gras and Shrove Tuesday in Western Christianity (2012); International Mother Language Day 1804 – Built by Cornish inventor Richard Trevithick, the first self-propelled steam locomotive (pictured) first ran in Wales. 1848 – The Communist Manifesto by communist theorists Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels was first published, becoming one of the world's most influential political tracts. 1948 – Bill France, Sr. and several other race car drivers founded NASCAR, the governing body of stock car racing in the United States. 1958 – British artist Gerald Holtom designed a logo for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament that became internationally recognised as the peace sign. 1973 – After accidentally having strayed into Israeli airspace, Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114 was shot down by two Israeli fighter planes. More anniversaries: February 20 – February 21 – February 22 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now February 21, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

Nicholas Kratzer (1487?–1550) was a German mathematician, astronomer and horologist. Much of Kratzer's professional life was spent in England where he was appointed astronomer to King Henry VIII. Born in Munich, Kratzer came to England in 1516 and established himself as part of the artistic and scientific circle around Sir Thomas More. Kratzer tutored More's children in mathematics and astronomy and More introduced him at court in much the same way as he had their mutual friend Hans Holbein the Younger, who painted this portrait.

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