Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 February 1

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Today's featured article
The Common Firecrest is a very small passerine bird in the kinglet family. It breeds in most of temperate Europe and northwestern Africa, and is partially migratory, with birds from central Europe wintering to the south and west of their breeding range. Firecrests in the Balearic Islands and north Africa are widely recognised as a separate subspecies. The head crest, orange in the male and yellow in the female, is displayed during breeding, and gives rise to the English and scientific names for the species. The song is a repetition of high thin notes, slightly lower-pitched than those of its relative. The Common Firecrest breeds in broadleaved or coniferous woodland and gardens, building its compact, three-layered nest on a tree branch. Seven to twelve eggs are incubated by the female alone. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge 22–24 days after hatching. This kinglet is constantly on the move and frequently hovers as it searches for insects to eat, and in winter it is often found with flocks of tits. Despite some possible local declines, the species is not the subject of significant conservation concerns owing to its large European population and an expansion of its range over the last century. (more...) Recently featured: Masako Katsura – Trump International Hotel and Tower – Temple Israel Archive – By email – More featured articles...
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From Wikipedia's newest articles: ... that the spherical tokamak fusion power concept (typical plasma pictured) was initially tested in the START reactor on a shoestring budget using bits of older experiments? ... that Henry Mann's 1949 book, Analysis and design of experiments, filled mathematical gaps in the statistical writings of Ronald A. Fisher? ... that, during the construction of the Bærum Tunnel, an automatic measuring system of the groundwater was used to automatically compensate for any leaks? ... that American minister and Free Will Baptist theologian Ransom Dunn rode over thousands of miles of frontier on horseback, collecting donations for the opening of Hillsdale College? ... that in 1827, HMS Nimble, an anti-slave patrol, ran aground near the Florida Keys while engaged in a gun battle with the Spanish slave ship Guerrero, which also ran aground and sank? ... that the medieval St. Laurence and All Saints Church, Eastwood must replace 38 metres (125 ft) of its wall to accommodate London Southend Airport? ... that Fred and Val Gregory were two of four brothers who were simultaneously contracted to Watford Football Club? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Hashim Thaci Marouf al-Bakhit is appointed Prime Minister of Jordan in a cabinet reshuffle by King Abdullah II, following mass protests. Hashim Thaçi (pictured) remains Prime Minister of Kosovo after the Democratic Party wins an election in the disputed territory. The world's longest borehole, at 12,345 m (40,502 ft) total measured depth, is drilled off the coast of the Russian island Sakhalin. Results from a recent referendum show nearly 99% of voters are in favour of Southern Sudan's secession from Sudan. The 2011 World Men's Handball Championship concludes with France defeating Denmark to retain the title. As anti-government protests across Egypt continue, President Hosni Mubarak appoints Omar Suleiman Vice President and Ahmed Shafik Prime Minister. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
February 1: Imbolc (Northern Hemisphere) 1411 – The First Peace of Thorn was signed, ending the Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War. 1814 – The most destructive eruption of the Mayon Volcano occurred, killing over 2,000 people on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. 1960 – Four African American students staged the first Greensboro sit-ins at a lunch counter (pictured) in Greensboro, North Carolina. 1972 – Kuala Lumpur gained city status, the first settlement in Malaysia to do so after the nation's independence from the United Kingdom. 1981 – Senegal and the Gambia formed the Senegambia Confederation. 2001 – The Timor Leste Defence Force was established from the erstwhile anti-Indonesian independence movement Falintil. More anniversaries: January 31 – February 1 – February 2 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now February 1 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

An engraving made from a daguerreotype of Ira Aldridge (1807–1867) in the role of Aaron from William Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus. Aldridge was an African American actor who made his career largely in Europe due to persistent racism in the United States. He began acting with the African Grove theatre in New York City, and moved to London in the early 1820s, where he soon began receiving critical acclaim for his performances, most notably for Othello. He then was cast in several roles of specifically white characters, such as the title role in Richard III, and Shylock in The Merchant of Venice. He was so renowned that he is the only African American to be included among the 33 actors honored at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon.

Daguerreotype: William Paine; Image: London Printing and Publishing Co; Restoration: Adam Cuerden

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