Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 July 27

the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

Today's featured article
The Point Park Civic Center was a proposed civic center for downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers forms the Ohio River. The structure was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright on commission from Edgar J. Kaufmann in the late 1940s. Wright initially envisioned a circular building more than 1000 feet (300 m) in diameter and 175 feet (50 m) tall. The structure, containing an opera house, sports arena, three movie theaters, and a convention hall, was wrapped with a spiraling strip of road. The plan expressed Wright's insistence on bringing the automobile into the social setting. It did not find favor with Pittsburgh authorities. To make the design more palatable to its audience, Wright developed a radically different proposal for a monolithic tower supporting bridges across the Allegheny and Monongahela. This too was unsuccessful, and none of Wright's work for the site was ever built. The site is now occupied by Point State Park. The unused design has garnered scholarly attention, and elements of it have been compared to other Wright designs, such as the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and his unrealized plans for Monona Terrace. (more...) Recently featured: Albert Stanley, 1st Baron Ashfield – Maximian – "Nothing to My Name" Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that data from Mariner 10 (pictured) led to the discovery of Mercury's magnetic field in 1974? ... that Gründlehämmer was the first theatrical production of the Baltimore Rock Opera Society, an all-volunteer rock opera company formed in 2009? ... that the official magazine of the Polish Underground State published 80 issues in the dangerous conditions of occupied Poland? ... that six of the ten siblings of Norwegian stage actress Ada Kramm were actors themselves? ... that artist Ginger Gilmour, first wife of David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, was given a British Red Cross Award for "Services to Humanity"? ... that Swedish scientist Johan Rockström led a team that has initiated an international debate on planetary boundaries, the central concept in a new framework for sustainable development? ... that I Am a Camera is a 1955 British film that received an X certificate from the BBFC, but only after dialogue suggesting foot fetishism was removed? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Cadel Evans Truong Tan Sang becomes the new President of Vietnam and nominates Nguyen Tan Dung to another term as Prime Minister. In cycling, Cadel Evans (pictured) becomes the first Australian to win the Tour de France. Protests against rising house prices in Israel continue, with thousands gathering in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Thousands of protesters encounter violence while marching toward the Egyptian Ministry of Defense in Cairo. Singer Amy Winehouse is found dead at her London home. Two high-speed trains collide and derail near Wenzhou, China, killing at least 39 people. Two attacks in Norway—a bombing in Oslo and a shooting on Utøya—result in at least 76 deaths. Space Shuttle Atlantis concludes its final mission, ending the 30-year Space Shuttle program. Arab Spring – Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
July 27: José Celso Barbosa Day in Puerto Rico 1054 – Siward, Earl of Northumbria, led an invasion of Scotland and defeated Macbeth, King of Scotland, in a battle north of the Firth of Forth. 1302 – Byzantine–Ottoman Wars: The Ottoman emirate scored its first major victory against the Byzantine Empire in the Battle of Bapheus in Bithynia. 1663 – The Parliament of England passed the second of the Navigation Acts, which required that all goods bound for the American colonies had to be sent in English ships from English ports. 1921 – University of Toronto researchers led by Frederick Banting (pictured) proved that the hormone insulin regulates blood sugar. 1942 – World War II: Allied forces halted the Axis invasion of Egypt. More anniversaries: July 26 – July 27 – July 28 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now July 27, 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

Ocean waves and gravity have caused enough erosion on the cliffs here in Pacifica, California, that the building is in danger of falling over the edge. Erosion is the process by which sediment, soil, rock and other particles, are removed from a region of the Earth's surface. Erosion is distinguished from weathering, although the two processes may occur concurrently.

Photo: Mila Zinkova

Recently featured: Sarcophaga nodosa – Crib Goch, Wales – Mitchell Map

Archive – More featured pictures...

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.