Wikipedia:Main Page history/2011 March 3

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Today's featured article
The Round Church is a large partially preserved early medieval Eastern Orthodox church in Preslav, the former capital of the First Bulgarian Empire, today a town in northeastern Bulgaria. Unearthed and first examined in 1927–28, the church dates to the early 10th century, the time of Tsar Simeon I's rule. Considered to be one of the most impressive examples of medieval Bulgarian architecture, the church takes its name from the distinctive shape of one of its three sections, the cella (naos), which is a rotunda that serves as a place of liturgy. The church's design also includes a wide atrium and a rectangular entrance area, or narthex, marked by two circular turrets. The church has been likened to examples of religious architecture from the late Roman Empire, the Caucasus, and even the Carolingian Pre-Romanesque of Charlemagne because of its characteristic plan, which is significantly different from contemporaneous Bulgarian or Byzantine buildings. The church's alternative name, the Golden Church, stems from its possible and popular identification with a "new golden church" in Preslav. The Round Church's rich interior decoration, which makes ample use of mosaics, ceramics and marble details, distinguishes it from other churches in Preslav. (more...) Recently featured: Banksia spinulosa – Posting system – Frederick III Archive – By email – More featured articles...
Did you know...
From Wikipedia's newest articles: ... that cactus enthusiasts and collectors are major threats to the rare cacti Coryphantha ramillosa (pictured) and Escobaria sneedii? ... that Oliver H. Lowry's 1951 paper on the Lowry protein assay is the most-cited paper of all time? ... that the Anglo-Norman Lament of Edward II, written c. 1327, is traditionally credited to Edward II of England? ... that University of Michigan fullback John Garrels won medals in both the 110 m hurdles and shot put at the 1908 Olympics in London? ... that the account of Jesus and the woman taken in adultery is found at the end of the Gospel of John in Minuscule 831, 1076, 1078 and 1356? ... that golf course architect William Herbert Fowler, who redesigned the 18th hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links, was also an MCC cricketer? ... that Marilyn Monroe, Dr. Seuss, Elvis Costello, and Prince Philip all adopted matronymic surnames? Archive – Start a new article – Nominate an article

In the news
Tom Hooper Protests against budget changes in the U.S. state of Wisconsin enter their third week, with thousands of people demonstrating around the State Capitol. The King's Speech wins four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Tom Hooper (pictured), at the 83rd Academy Awards. Beji Caid el Sebsi becomes Prime Minister of Tunisia after Mohamed Ghannouchi resigns amid ongoing protests. Fine Gael, led by Enda Kenny, wins a plurality in the Irish general election. Amid crackdowns on protesters, the UN Security Council refers the situation in Libya to the International Criminal Court and imposes sanctions on Muammar Gaddafi. Protests are held in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, and Yemen amid continuing turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa. Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events...
On this day...
March 3: Liberation Day in Bulgaria (1878); Hinamatsuri in Japan 1284 – The Statute of Rhuddlan incorporated the Principality of Wales into England. 1875 – The first indoor game of ice hockey was played at the Victoria Skating Rink in Montreal, Canada, by James Creighton and McGill University students. 1924 – The Free State of Fiume (flag pictured), a short-lived independent free state located in the modern city of Rijeka, Croatia, was annexed by the Kingdom of Italy. 1943 – World War II: During a German aerial attack on London, England, 173 people were killed in a stampede while trying to enter Bethnal Green tube station, which was being used as an air raid shelter. 1951 – Jackie Brenston, with Ike Turner and his band, recorded "Rocket 88", often cited as "the first rock and roll record", at Sam Phillips' recording studios in Memphis, Tennessee, US. More anniversaries: March 2 – March 3 – March 4 Archive – By email – List of historical anniversaries It is now March 3 2011 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture

The head of a female Clynotis severus species of jumping spider. The eyes of a spider are called simple eyes (as opposed to compound eyes) because in each eye, a single lens collects and focuses light onto the retina. In this spider, the two largest eyes in the middle are the most acute. The remainder on the sides and on the top of its head are "secondary eyes".

Photo: JJ Harrison

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