Wikipedia:Main Page history/2017 February 12

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

From today's featured article

Bobby Peel (12 February 1857 – 12 August 1941) was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket for Yorkshire between 1883 and 1897. Although an effective batsman, he was primarily a left-arm spin bowler; when conditions favoured his bowling style, he was a matchwinner. Between 1884 and 1896, Peel was regularly selected to represent England, playing 20 Test matches in which he took 101 wickets; in one such game, he bowled England to victory after they had followed on in Australia in 1894–95. Peel began playing for Yorkshire in 1883 and was the team's main spinner by 1887; he regularly took over 100 wickets in a season, despite receiving little support from other bowlers, and was among the leading batsmen for the county. As a player, he was very popular but had a reputation for drinking heavily. In 1897 he was suspended for drunkenness during a match and never played for Yorkshire again, although the events leading up to this are unclear. Later stories, generally dismissed by historians, suggested he urinated on the pitch. He continued to play and coach cricket for most of his life. Among his other jobs, he became the landlord of a public house and worked in a mill. (Full article...)

Recently featured:

Did you know...

Carmo Planetarium

... that the Carmo Planetarium (pictured) in São Paulo, Brazil, uses 9,000 optical fibres and 109 lenses to portray the night sky?
... that Van Cortlandt Park contains both the Bronx's oldest building and the United States' oldest public golf course?
... that during Krishnapada Ghosh's term as Labour Minister in the second United Front government of West Bengal, police were instructed not to intervene against striking workers?
... that when the USS Albany disappeared off the coast of Venezuela in 1853, its crew included the offspring of several prominent politicians?
... that the extinct sweetgum Liquidambar changii was described from the "Hi hole" location in Central Washington State?
... that United States Navy officer Jesse Iwuji played college football for the Naval Academy and currently races in NASCAR?
... that the lyrics of Tove Lo's song "Not on Drugs" compared falling in love to being under the influence of drugs?

In the news

Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed

Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (pictured) is elected President of Somalia.
In association football, the Africa Cup of Nations concludes with Cameroon defeating Egypt in the final.
Protests in Romania grow over the Romanian government's proposals to decriminalize certain corruption cases.
In American football, the New England Patriots defeat the Atlanta Falcons to win Super Bowl LI, the first to go into overtime.
The United Nations releases a report stating that the Myanmar Army has committed serious human rights violations against the Rohingya people.

On this day...

February 12: Red Hand Day

Christian Dior's "New Look"

1818 – On the first anniversary of its victory in the Battle of Chacabuco, Chile formally declared its independence from Spain.
1912 – Xinhai Revolution: Puyi, the last Emperor of China, abdicated under a deal brokered by military official and politician Yuan Shikai, formally replacing the Qing dynasty with a new republic in China.
1947 – The French fashion company Christian Dior unveiled a "New Look" (pictured) that revolutionized women's dress and reestablished Paris as the center of the fashion world after World War II.
1994 – Edvard Munch's iconic painting The Scream was stolen from the National Gallery of Norway.
2001 – NASA's robotic space probe NEAR Shoemaker touched down on Eros, becoming the first spacecraft to land on an asteroid.

More anniversaries:

Today's featured picture

Shrovetide by the Russian artist Boris Kustodiev (1878–1927). This 1916 painting depicts Maslenitsa, or the last week of Shrovetide, as remembered by the artist.

Painting: Boris Kustodiev

Recently featured:

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.