Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 August 7

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Today's featured article
The Kylfings were a people of uncertain origin who were active in Northern Europe during the Viking Age. They were active from roughly the late ninth century through the early twelfth century and could be found in areas of Lapland, Russia, and the Byzantine Empire that were frequented by Scandinavian traders, raiders and mercenaries. Scholars differ on whether the Kylfings were ethnically Finnic or Norse. Their geographic origin is also disputed; Denmark, Sweden and the Eastern Baltic are put forward as candidates. Whether the name Kylfing denotes a particular tribal, socio-political, or economic grouping is a matter of much debate. They are mentioned in Old Norse runestone inscriptions, sagas, and poetry, as well as Byzantine records and Rus' law-codes, in which they were afforded significant economic and social privileges. According to the sagas, the Kylfings opposed the consolidation of Norway under Harald Fairhair and participated in the pivotal Battle of Hafrsfjord. After Harald's victory in that battle, they are described in the sagas as having raided in Finnmark and elsewhere in northern Norway and having fought against Harald's lieutenants such as Thorolf Kveldulfsson. (more...) Recently featured: HMS Lion – Dengue fever – Double Seven Day scuffle Archive – By email – More featured articles...
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From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that after his successful Siege of Jerusalem, Pompey the Great entered the Temple's Holy of Holies (15th-century painting by Jean Fouquet, pictured), where none but the High Priest were allowed? ... that scientists first discovered the biological screw joint in the Papuan weevil Trigonopterus oblongus? ... that several defunct Roman amphitheatres, including the Arles Amphitheatre, were converted into churches or fortifications? ... that U.S. Congressman Thaddeus McCotter mounted a 2012 campaign for president after being asked to run by Red Eye satirist Greg Gutfeld? ... that the Alabama variety of the purpleflower pinkroot is found exclusively in Bibb County? ... that Guillaume Rondelet performed a public autopsy on his infant son? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Launch of the Juno spacecraft Standard & Poor's downgrades the credit rating of the United States government to AA+ for the first time. Juno, the first solar-powered spacecraft on a mission to Jupiter, is launched (pictured) from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. NASA announces that its Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured imagery of possible liquid water on Mars during warm seasons. Government forces crack down on protesters in Hama, a center of the Syrian uprising, killing more than 200 people. After months of negotiations, the United States Congress raises the U.S. debt ceiling to avoid a projected default. Horn of Africa famine Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
August 7: Assyrian Martyrs Day (1933); Independence Day in Côte d'Ivoire (1960) 1461 – Ming Chinese general Cao Qin staged a failed coup against the Tianshun Emperor. 1679 – Le Griffon, a brigantine built by René-Robert de LaSalle (pictured), became the first sailing ship to navigate the upper Great Lakes. 1794 – U.S. President George Washington invoked the Militia Acts of 1792 to suppress the Whiskey Rebellion in western Pennsylvania. 1927 – The official opening ceremony of the Peace Bridge between Fort Erie, Ontario, and Buffalo, New York, at the east end of Lake Erie was held two months after it opened to the public. 1933 – An estimated 3,000 Assyrians were slaughtered by Iraqi troops during the Simele massacre in the Dahuk and Mosul districts. More anniversaries: August 6 – August 7 – August 8 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now August 7, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

A photochrom print of the General Art and Industrial Exposition of Stockholm complex on the island of Djurgården, located in central Stockholm, Sweden. Several of the structures built for the 1897 World's Fair still remain on the western part of the island, including Djurgårdsbron, the main bridge to the island; the Skansens Bergbana, the funicular railway now in the Skansen open air museum and zoo; and the Nordic Museum.

Photochrom: Photoglob Zürich; Restoration: Lise Broer

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