Wikipedia:Main Page history/2012 May 9

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Today's featured article
The Cleomenean War was fought by Sparta and its ally, Elis, against the Achaean League and Macedon. The war ended in a Macedonian and Achaean victory. In 235 BC, Cleomenes III ascended the throne of Sparta and began a program of reform aimed at restoring traditional Spartan discipline while weakening the influence of the ephors. When, in 229 BC, the ephors sent Cleomenes to seize a town on the border with Megalopolis, the Achaeans declared war. Cleomenes responded by ravaging Achaea. At Mount Lycaeum he defeated an army under Aratus of Sicyon, and then routed a second army near Megalopolis. Meanwhile, in domestic politics, he ordered the assassination of the ephors. In quick succession, Cleomenes cleared the cities of Arcadia of their Achaean garrisons, before crushing another Achaean force at Dyme. Facing Spartan domination of the League, Aratus was forced to turn to Antigonus III Doson of Macedon and request that he assist the Achaeans' efforts to defeat the Spartans. Cleomenes eventually invaded Achaea, seizing control of both Corinth and Argos. When Antigonus arrived in the Peloponnese, however, Cleomenes was forced to retreat to Laconia. He fought the Achaeans and the Macedonians at Sellasia, but the Spartans were routed. Cleomenes then fled to the court of his ally, Ptolemy III of Egypt, where he ultimately committed suicide. (more...) Recently featured: Richard II of England – The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. – Martin Brodeur Archive – By email – More featured articles...
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From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that school teacher and conspirator Jadwiga Apostoł (pictured) survived three German camps, including Auschwitz, and was jailed in Stalinist Poland on trumped-up charges soon after her return? ... that iron hydride is one of the few molecules found in the Sun's atmosphere? ... that protesters have occupied and started to farm a tract of land owned by the University of California, Berkeley? ... that the founders of Indonesian band Last Child are the last children of their families? ... that while filming the episode "Props", many Glee actors had to swap roles with another actor in the cast? ... that the founder of handbag company Radley originally started in the industry by selling bags on a market stall in 1984? ... that Ed Samples took up stock car racing because he deemed the sport to be safer than moonshine-running? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
The coalition Let's Get Serbia Moving, led by Tomislav Nikolić (pictured), gains a plurality in the Serbian parliamentary election. Ronnie O'Sullivan wins the World Snooker Championship. The ruling Republican Party gains a majority in the Armenian parliamentary election. New Democracy gains a plurality in the Greek legislative election. François Hollande is elected President of France. I'll Have Another, ridden by Mario Gutierrez, wins the Kentucky Derby. Beastie Boys founding member Adam Yauch, better known by the stage name "MCA", dies at the age of 47. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
May 9: Victory Day in various Eastern European countries; Europe Day/Schuman Day in the European Union; Independence Day in Romania (1877) 1671 – Irish-born Colonel Thomas Blood (pictured) was caught trying to steal the English Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. 1877 – An 8.5 M_s earthquake struck the northern portion of Chile and killed 2,541 people, including some as far away as Hawaii and Japan. 1918 – First World War: Germany repelled Britain's second attempt to blockade the Belgian port of Ostend. 1977 – The Hotel Polen in Amsterdam was destroyed by fire, which resulted in 33 deaths and 21 injuries. 1992 – An underground methane explosion at the Westray Mine occurred in Plymouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, killing all 26 coal miners who were working at the time. 2004 – Akhmad Kadyrov, the first President of the Chechen Republic, and about 30 others were killed by a bomb during a World War II memorial victory parade in Grozny. More anniversaries: May 8 – May 9 – May 10 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now May 9, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The impala (Aepyceros melampus) is a medium-sized African antelope. The name comes from the Zulu language meaning "gazelle". They are normally reddish-brown in color, with lighter flanks, white underbellies, and a characteristic "M" marking on the rear. Males have lyre-shaped horns, which can reach up to 90 cm (35 in) in length. They are strong jumpers, able to reach distances more than 10 m (33 ft) in a single bound. They are also fast runners, capable of reaching speeds up to 90 km/h (56 mph).

Photo: Ikiwaner

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