Wikipedia:Main Page history/2015 November 15

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From today's featured article

Hilary Swank

Boys Don't Cry is a 1999 American independent drama film directed by Kimberly Peirce and written by Peirce and Andy Bienen. Starring Hilary Swank (pictured), it dramatizes the real-life story of Brandon Teena, a trans man who is beaten, raped and murdered by his male acquaintances after they discover he is transgender. The film also stars Chloë Sevigny, Peter Sarsgaard, Brendan Sexton III, and Alicia Goranson. Peirce's interest in the events surrounding Brandon's murder led to a nearly five-year-long writing and casting process. Principal photography in Greenville, Texas, lasted 30 days. Film scholars and reviewers have focused on the film's depiction of romantic relationships and the causes of violence against LGBT people, among other themes. After premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in October 1999, Boys Don't Cry grossed roughly $12 million in North America. The film was very well received by critics, and Swank won the Academy Award for Best Actress. (Full article...)

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Did you know...

Great organ of Notre Dame de Paris

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... that even though gambling in Cambodia is illegal for its citizens, gambling addiction is a widespread social issue?
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... that Brecon Castle was attacked by the Welsh six times in 58 years?
... that despite his service in the Confederate States Army, James Henry Wright was given a military funeral with U.S. Army soldiers marching at the head of the procession?
... that Lake Glory has an "inspirational name"?
... that after winning the 1979 FA Charity Shield, manager Bob Paisley quipped, "I am just sorry we didn't get two points for it!"?

In the news

Bataclan theatre

Shootings and explosions in Paris cause at least 129 deaths, including 89 at the Bataclan theatre (pictured).
Following a World Anti-Doping Agency investigation, the IAAF suspends Russia from all international competition in the sport of athletics.
The National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, wins a majority in Myanmar's general election.
Two suicide bombings in Beirut kill at least 37 people and injure more than 200 others.
Scientists discover V774104 at 103 AU, the most distant sighting of a solar system object.

Ongoing events:
- Metrojet Flight 9268
- European migrant crisis
Recent deaths:
- Pat Eddery
- Helmut Schmidt

On this day...

November 15: Republic Day in Brazil (1889); Shichi-Go-San in Japan

King James II

1315 – A 1,500-strong force from the Swiss Confederacy ambushed a group of Austrian soldiers of the Holy Roman Empire on the shores of Lake Ägerisee in Switzerland.
1688 – Prince William of Orange landed at Brixham in Devon, on his way to depose his uncle and father-in-law King James II (pictured), the last Catholic monarch of England.
1859 – Sponsored by businessman Evangelos Zappas, the first modern revival of the Olympic Games took place in Athens, Greece.
1935 – The Commonwealth of the Philippines was officially established, with Manuel L. Quezon inaugurated as its president.
1988 – PLO leader Yasser Arafat proclaimed the creation of the State of Palestine as "the state of Palestinians wherever they may be".

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Today's featured picture

St Matthew's Church in Paisley, Scotland, is an Art Nouveau church built between 1905 and 1907. The architect, WD McLennan, designed the building and many interior furnishings, including the organ case, font and pulpit. This view of the interior is from the rear gallery and features the stained glass window by Robert Anning Bell.

Photograph: Colin

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