Wikipedia:Main Page history/2021 May 28

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From today's featured article

An ovary about to release an egg

The menstrual cycle is a series of natural changes in hormone production and the structures of the uterus and ovaries of the human female reproductive system that make pregnancy possible. Naturally occurring hormones drive two concurrent and coordinated cycles that last about 28 days. The ovarian cycle controls the production and release of eggs and the release of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The uterine cycle governs the preparation and maintenance of the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to receive a fertilized egg. Menstruation, a "period" in common parlance, begins on day one of the cycle, and lasts for about five days. Around day fourteen, an egg is usually released from the ovary. Estrogen stimulates the uterus lining to thicken to accommodate an embryo should fertilization occur. If implantation does not occur, the lining is released during menstruation. Menarche (the first period) usually occurs around age twelve, and menstrual cycles usually continue for 30–45 years until menopause. (Full article...)

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Did you know ...

219 East 49th Street

... that 219 East 49th Street (pictured) contains windows with 12-by-12-inch (300 by 300 mm) glass bricks, larger than any others manufactured at the time?
... that Clarence Lushbaugh claimed that God gave him permission to take Cecil Kelley's organs?
... that while performing their song "Sing" on Top of the Pops, Scottish band Travis engaged in a pie fight?
... that Chinese activist Li Qiaochu was detained on 31 December 2019 and spent New Year's Day in handcuffs in relation to the "12.26 Citizens Case" while her partner Xu Zhiyong was still in hiding?
... that Amasa Eaton wrote the first law review article to be cited in a decision of the Supreme Court of the United States?
... that Canada's Bill C-10 has faced criticism for potentially classifying social media services as broadcasters?
... that Sinikka Luja-Penttilä published a novel in the same year that she retired from the Finnish parliament?
... that Yonenaga's Atlantic spiny rat produces a secretion from its anal gland that has been described as smelling like tutti frutti?

In the news

Shell world headquarters

The district court of The Hague orders Royal Dutch Shell (headquarters pictured) to cut its global carbon emissions by 45 per cent by the end of 2030.
In Mali, President Bah Ndaw, his prime minister and his defence minister are arrested by the army in a coup d'état.
A makeshift ceremony is held to swear in Naomi Mataʻafa as Prime Minister of Samoa after she and her party are locked out of parliament.
At least fourteen people are killed in a mass shooting by the Militarized Communist Party of Peru in San Miguel del Ene.

On this day

May 28: Republic Day in Armenia (1918); Republic Day in Azerbaijan (1918)

The Last Supper

621 – Tang forces led by Li Shimin defeated and captured Dou Jiande at the Battle of Hulao in the civil war that followed the collapse of the Sui dynasty.
1644 – English Civil War: Royalist troops stormed and captured the Parlimentarian stronghold of Bolton, leading to a massacre of defenders and local residents.
1901 – Mozaffar ad-Din, Shah of Persia, granted exclusive rights to prospect for oil in the country to William Knox D'Arcy.
1937 – The rise of Neville Chamberlain culminated with his accession as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
1999 – After 21 years of restoration work, Leonardo da Vinci's mural painting The Last Supper (pictured), in Milan, Italy, was returned to display.

Joseph-Ignace Guillotin (b. 1738)
Carroll Baker (b. 1931)
Ekaterina Gordeeva (b. 1971)

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Map of countries and territories with current and former Taiwanese diplomatic missions

Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, has 112 diplomatic missions across the world as of December 2020. Due to the One-China policy, other countries are only allowed to maintain relations with either Taiwan or the mainland-based People's Republic of China. As most countries have changed their recognition to the latter over time, only 17 of Taiwan's diplomatic missions have official status, consisting of fifteen embassies and two consulate-generals. Despite these barriers, 57 United Nations members maintain relations with Taiwan on an unofficial basis. To serve these locations and other places throughout the world, 92 semi-official representative offices are utilized for matters that would otherwise be handled by embassies or consulates. Taiwan has established informal representation in China's two special administrative regions as well. In Hong Kong, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hong Kong provides services similar to a consulate, while relations to Macau are handled by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Macau. (Full list...)

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Today's featured picture

William Birney (May 28, 1819 – August 14, 1907) was a professor, Union Army general during the American Civil War, attorney, and author. An ardent abolitionist, he was one of three superintendents in charge of enlisting colored troops into the Union Army, and in that capacity organized seven regiments. After the war, he established a law practice in Washington, D.C., and after retiring, wrote profusely on religion and history, and authored a biography of his father, James G. Birney.

Photograph credit: unknown; restored by Adam Cuerden

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